The Philippine Eagle in fashion ~ D' Durian Daily

THE star of the show was the Pithecophaga jefferyi. But it goes by its more popular name, the Philippine Eagle.

The star of the show. The Philippine Eagles in Renee Salud

Accompanied by the members of the Hijos de Davao—Jody Ledesma, Nicole Bian, Jackie and Marco Dizon, Emil Sitjar, Patricia de Jesus, Miko and Mylene Aquino, Pinky Bendigo, Enzo Rabat, Randall and Vanessa Ong, Manuel and Pacita Belisario, Marga Antonio, Franco Carabuena and this writer—, ten pairs of “model birds” and its “escorts” strutted the runway garbed in Renee Salud originals that represented the different tribes of Mindanao.

Fashion tableau, the members of the Hijos de Davao & the Philippines Eagles in Renee Salud

On the ramp & in Renee Salud, a Philippine Designer Doll & immediate Past President & Board Member of Hijos de Davao Jackie Garcia-Dizon

New generation Philippine eagle supporter, Hijo de Davao Jody Ledesma. Both in Renee Salud original

Originally, the designer eagles were to be auctioned off. Before the eagles took to the stage, they were sold out. And after the presentation, other donors wanted to have their own pairs of the designer toys.

The backstage scene. Designers eagle dolls sold out before it hit the stage.

Pachot Belisario, Mylene Aquino, Vanessa Ong, Pinky Bendigo, Nicole Bian, Nikka Rabat, Marga Antonio, Jackie Dizon & Patricia de Jesus

Randall Ong, Miko Aquino, Jody Ledesma, Enzo Rabat, Marco Dizon, Franco Carabuena, Emil Sitjar, Manuel Belisario & Jinggoy Salvador

Eventually, the total donation raised was more than P1 million, a generous amount to help fund the preservation of the beneficiary of the event—the Philippine eagle. Wings are flapping with joy, wings that belong to less than 400 majestic birds, as recorded by the foundation. The number puts it on the endangered list. It needs all the help it can get.

Partners & donors recognized.

Marco Polo Hotels Vice President for Operations, Mr. Philippe Caretti, conceived a fundraising project that will engage the Marco Polo hotels in Davao, Cebu, Manila and Hong Kong. It will help raise funds for PEF’s work and allow its customer base to participate and learn more about the plight of the national bird.

Marco Polo Davao General Manager Dottie Wurgler-Cronin, Carlos Dominguez, Chairman of PEF & Halifax Davao Hotel, Inc., Marco Polo Hotels President-Designate, Ms. Jennifer Cronin & Marco Polo Davao Director of Sales & Marketing, Pearl Maclang

Since the conception of the project the Marco Polo chain raised P 750,000.00. The amount was turned over by Marco Polo Hotel’s president-designate Jennifer Cronin to the Philippine Eagle Foundation last January 14,2016 at the ballroom of the Davao property.

Marco Polo Hotels turning over the proceeds of its fundraising project to Philippine Eagle Foundation Executive Director, Dennis Salvador with PEF Chairman, Carlos Dominguez

Adding to the amount were the donations of the donors who purchased the Philippine eagle dolls fashionably clad in one of a kind designer clothes at P 10,000 a pair. The number of buyers exceeded the expected number and surpassed the targeted amount.

This doll is a personal favorite.

“Marco Polo Davao has been a partner of the PEF for more than a decade through the leadership of our Chairman Mr. Dominguez. Marco Polo Davao is a member of the PEF and the adopted parent of Philippine Eagle “Marikit. We are truly grateful to Marco Polo Davao and the Marco Polo Hotels group for their commitment to help save our national heritage,” said Dennis Salvador, Executive Director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation.

PEF Executive Director, Dennis Salvador, Renee Salud, Gladys Uy & PEF's Andy Baldonado

“Realizing our many needs, they went out of their way to orchestrate this fund-raising project. It did not only enhance public awareness about our national bird, but had the entire Marco Polo family embrace the effort.

This partnership is a great example of how a Corporate Social Responsibility should be carried out,” the PEF’s Executive Director added.

MPD General Manager Dottie Wurgler-Cronin welcomed the guests who graced the fundraiser and turnover ceremony.

Gerard Ramos of Business Mirror, Lisa Ilarde of Manila Bulletin, Marco Polo Davao GM Dottie Cronin-Wurgler, Greggy Vera Cruz of People Asia Magazine, Suzette Morelos of Jayelles Holdings Inc & Joseph Cortes of View Travel & LIfestyle Magazine

Baby Garcia & Japanese Consul Dodo Tomoko

Architect & visual artist Anthony Serafin & DOT-XI Regional Director Robby Alabado

Imee Garcia, Jennifer Co, Pia Carabuena, Pinky Bendigo, Cecil Co, Josephine, Dottie Wurgler-Cronin, Piluchi Gavino & Jackie Dizon.

Present were friends from the national and local media, tourism partners, major corporate donors and project partners, Renee Salud, representatives of Philippine Airlines, Antonio O. Floirendo Foundation, Camera Club of Davao, Boysen Paints Philippines and Hijos de Davao Foundation.

COO of Davao Light &Power Co., Arturo Milan

Adopting a pair of designer eagles is Atty. Rose Cabaguio & MPD PR Manager Josef Ledesma

President & CEO of JFM Development Corporation, William Leh

The conservation mission still has a long way to go to take the Philippine Eagle off the endangered species list. I hope and pray that efforts to save our National Bird and protecting nature in whole will become fashionable and will always be fashionable.

Making conservation fashionable. The new generation of Hijos de Davao- Jody Ledesma, Marco dizon, Enzo Rabat & Franco Carabuena.

Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com. For more lifestyle & travel stories, visit http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com and http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on January 24, 2016.

But first let me take a selfie…