The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) will pay tribute to the memory of the Philippine Eagle “Geothermica” during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Philippine Eagle Geothermica’s Gateway at the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) on August 17.
At Wednesday’s Habi at Kape on August 14, PEF marketing coordinator Tristan Montemor said the ceremony honors both Geothermica, who passed away last year, and PEF’s significant milestone of sending Geothermica to Singapore for the 10-year Species Loan Program to ensure the survival of the Philippine eagle species.
“At the Philippine Eagle Center, we want to honor his memory as a conservation icon. We’ll do this through the gateway, where his statue and story will be displayed for all our guests to see,” Montemor said.
He also mentioned that PEF plans to unveil Geothermica’s statue soon. The statue is being crafted by PEF’s partner Kublai Millan, a Filipino artist and sculptor.
PEF Education and Development manager Khizia Steffan Madrona emphasized that Geothermica was chosen for commemoration because he was the champion of the 10-year Species Loan Program who died in a foreign country.
She added that the Geothermica gateway is one of the major changes at the PEC and will serve as a park for visitors to enjoy.
Montemor further stated that PEC will have activities like promos, free movie screenings, and a Kadayawan Eagle Adventure on August 17 and 18 to celebrate the 39th Kadayawan Festival.
Geothermica was a male Philippine eagle sent to Singapore on June 4, 2019, along with a female Philippine eagle “Sambisig,” as part of the 10-year Species Loan Program to conserve the critically endangered Philippine eagle species.
On September 7, 2023, Geothermica died due to a lung infection. His body was carefully preserved and returned to the Philippines. The taxidermied Geothermica was unveiled in a ceremony on June 5, 2024, at the National Museum of the Philippines during the Philippine Eagle Week celebration.
