My First Ever Published Article

First and foremost, I would like to thank my Public Relations professor Leonides Valencia for making my dream possible.

I had my first ever published article on a national newspaper (People’s Journal Tonight Opinion Section) last August 27.

When my professor called my name to go in front of the class and gave me the article that was already published… I couldn’t explain the feeling. It’s really my first time and I felt so elated.

Prior to that, I was sending my articles to Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Youngblood but nothing had been published.

But just like the maxim goes, “I know time will come.”

The article is all about the migratory birds in Candaba, Pampanga.

Here’s what I wrote…

Diverse bird species in Candaba swamps

By Dennis John M. Amata

Having lived in Candaba for many of my youthful years makes me deeply appreciative of its wide and scenic swamps, its abundant crop and fruit production and its rich ecosystem, especially the diverse bird species that make this town an important spot for wildlife preservation.

Candaba, a first-class municipality in Pampanga, almost at the heart of Central Luzon, is the top rice and duck eggs producer and a prime source of watermelon and muskmelon in the province. Its people are mostly farmers, engaged in raising and trading agricultural products.

The widely-known Candaba swamps are the haven for schools of migratory birds seen there include the Shrenck’s Bittern, Great Bittern, Eurasian Spoonbill, Purple Swamp Hen, Chinese Pond Heron and Black-Crowned Night Heron.

The birds arrive beginning October, enjoy life in this temporary habitat and start to leave in the months of March and April. According to the most recent records, about 17, 000 birds visited the 32, 000-hectare swamps during the last migration period. This site has been home for more than 96 bird species, 50 of which have been determined to be residents and 46 as migratory.

The migratory birds fly south to escape the biting cold of the winter season and to enjoy the swamps’ tropical temperature, fertile land, balanced eco-system, including the eucalyptus trees where they roost (although some birds have been noticed to fly by sunset to other municipalities nearby to perch in their trees and pass the night).

Declared as an Important Bird Area (IBA PH007), Candaba is visited by tourists from various parts of the world. The town has been nominated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

Cognizant of the town’s eco-tourism value, the Philippine Tourism Authority has put up what is called “The Reserve,” a 72-hectare are intended for migratory birds. For his part, Mayor Jerry Pelayo has allotted 70 hectares in Vizal, San Pablo for the birds. Townspeople talk about plans of a large realty development company to build world-class cottages, restaurants and view decks for tourists whose numbers are expected to grow significantly. Last February, Candaba’s municipal office launched the very first Ibon-Ebon (Bird-Egg) Festival to promote eco-tourism and food production.

Development has not been without problems. When it became known in the past that several birds had suspiciously died, it was noted that visitors’ flow had slowed down. At that point, vigorous efforts by the townsfolk, with support coming from many outside groups, bore fruit such that Candaba has been declared a bird flu-free destination. Kapampangans, especially those from Candaba, are united in preventing the entry of any virus that would affect the birds.

Thus, the urge to preserve and protect the sanctuary for birds unites everyone to participate in the programs to protect wildlife.

Led by Mayor pelayo, the Pampanga Mayors’ League recently passed a resolution to prohibit bird hunting in Pampanga, submitting the same, for coordination purposes to the Department of Environment and natural Resources (DENR).

There are volunteers who guard the swamps. Help has likewise come from such organizations as Candaba Swamp Migratory Birds and Wildlife Foundation, Haribon Foundation and other environmental watchdogs.

As a young person keenly witnessing what’s around me – striking poverty, giddy political issues, threat of climate change, growing environmental risks as well as significant technological changes elsewhere – I join those people who continue to manifest faith in this country. Our land has a lot to offer and everyone should take part in conserving the steadily jeopardized Mother Earth.

Yes, I continue to aspire for air that can be as refreshing as the cold breeze in an autumn night, for bodies of water as pure as the shimmering pearl in the deep sea, and for forests that can be as tranquil as a child gently sleeping under a sturdy and shady tree.

I believe these are possible if we agree that we can do and that in time we can make a difference. That is, if we all agree, as we do in Candaba.