Way back in preschool, our class had a field trip to one of Silliman University’s well known museums. We saw a lot of national items that I think were very much collected from different parts of the country however, there was one thing that fascinated me the most. I vividly remember the first time seeing a well preserved Hornbill. The feathers were intact, the colors were unbelievably vibrant, it simply looked real and alive. I remember touching its prehistoric looking beak and feeling the texture of its creases found around the surface. To me at the time, the experience was beyond extraordinary.

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When the ECQ was lifted last May 2020, we immediately went to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park. It was not a birding trip, I only wanted to see the other lake from across. We decided to ride a boat that would take us to the watch tower which then would allow us to stand on a better viewpoint to see the two lakes. We heard an unusual sound way above the canopy along the lake side as we were paddling our way to the other side of the lake. The boatwoman told me that those squeaking calls are from the Hornbills. I was hesitant to believe her at first simply because I’ve always thought that Hornbills were nowhere to be found in the island of Negros and that they are already extinct. The experience back in the museum when I was a preschool pupil are in many ways similar except that this time, I’ll be able to find a wild Hornbill in the same island where I have lived my entire life. What I thought was an expired and forgotten childhood dream suddenly rekindled.

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I have spent the last 2 months looking for the Visayan Tarictic Hornbill. I frequently visited the place not just to observe them and get a mediocre shot, but my goal was to take a photograph that would engage with the people of Negros and would allow them to see how extraordinary these birds are but it is not without its challenges. On my field days, while waiting for this bird to show signs of its presence, I get to learn and photograph the other bird species that are residents of the place. Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park is a fairly huge place and its biodiversity is world class. It is home to around 200 plus bird species, that is almost half of all the bird species found in the Philippines, it’s impossible for somebody to see and learn nothing on a day spent in the area. However, during the 2 months, I only had few shots of the Hornbill and most of them were mediocre, the image was not strong enough for people to be moved.

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What I think was my last field day, I brought my girlfriend, my cousin and 1 of my closest childhood friend. We went for a boat ride which I thought would be my last. We saw, heard nothing, like literally a silent lake but it was great. It was probably the clearest day I have experienced during the 2 months of intensive work. On our way home, I decided to bring them to a nearby hill where you can find a picturesque view to end the day. When the group was walking uphill, a super loud squeaking sound came out of nowhere! By listening to it, you already know how near it is. All these joyous months in the field, the range of lessons I have learned throughout the time period, I felt that the “waiting" prepared me for the moment I have been waiting for. Finally, a Visayan Tarictic Hornbill perched less than 10 meters away from the group.

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I admit that there was a point in my growing years that I felt so detached from the natural world. Although I was taught in school about how much life our earth holds and why it is importance to humanity, I, together with the people in my class were not given a fair chance to see and experience the bulk of it. However, I consider myself lucky to be in a position that I am in today. All of the things and experiences that have fascinated me when I was a kid has sort of crawled it’s way back to me now as I’m living the very important years of my life. My preschool days are definitely long gone but it has connected me to certain paths that have given me happiness that no one can easily take away.

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This is the Visayan Tarictic Hornbill. They are critically endangered (one step before extinction). They can only be found in 2 islands in the entire world. I devoted my last months in the country looking for this key species simply because they are very important in many ways. They only thrive in primary forests in high elevations. They nest on specific trees and have a very distinct breeding behavior that is different from other birds. So why are they very threatened and how do their current state affect us? They are threatened due to 2 reasons, simply poaching and deforestation. Negros Island used to have 90% forest cover 100 years ago, but now, we have less than 15%. Protecting the bird means protecting their habitat, protecting the last 15%. If we fail to protect them, the Hornbill species are not the only ones who will perish but the entire biodiversity of the area. We are talking about life forms that have pushed and fought the boundaries of evolution for millions of years in order to survive in this present time. I think we, the residents of Negros, have a huge responsibility to realize. They said that to make change on a global scale, you’ll need to address the local problems.

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I consider myself lucky that I’m still able to witness this spectacle. Hopefully the following generations will also be able to do so. I belong to the younger generation that is fortunate enough to experience what is left. Most of the species on earth are already fighting their way out of extinction. We have a responsibility to educate the people about the sustainable ways in moving forward, especially the young and those who have present powers. Let’s not make this political (but humane) because nature, as we all know, is not bounded by any law. 

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Thank you to all the people who were involved on this especially to Manong Rico Mier for being with me the entire 2 months and constantly educating me about everything I need to know. Thank you to my friends for the continued support. To all the forest guards and researchers that worked hand in hand just to protect these treasures. Lingaw kaayo ko tungod ninyong tanan!