With fifty percent more attendance this year at 1,520 registered guests, the 3rd Tacurong Bird Festival soared high last May 12-13, 2017 at the Baras Bird Sanctuary in Tacurong City.
Coming from all over the Philippines, guests who enjoyed the bird festival included families, bird enthusiasts, bloggers, photographers, and other curious individuals who heard of the fame of the sanctuary.
The two-day bird festival began with a Bird Fun Run at 5 o’clock AM on May 12. Participated by more than 200 runners, the route began at the Pedro Calungsod Parish and ended at the Baras Bird Sanctuary. The awarding was held thereafter and the runners were treated to a light breakfast.
On the same day at nine o’clock in the morning, a conservation forum was held at the Notre Dame of Tacurong College Conference Hall. A total of 204 participants joined the forum composed of bloggers, photographers, students, and representatives from the public and private sectors.
Speakers at the forum included Dr. Carmela Española an assistant professor from the University of the Philippines-Diliman with her topic Ecological Role of Birds, Mr. Genofre Suropia a SOX birder and photographer with his topic Wildlife Photography, Mr. Adrian Constantino a bird guide and vice president of Birding Adventure Philippines with his topic Naturalist Guide to the Birds of the Philippines, and PSUPT FELIX SERVITA JR a birder and Chief of Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of PNP Regional Office 12 with his topic Wildlife Act and Enforcement.
A socialization night was sponsored by the Department of Tourism Region XII at the Palm Pavillion on May 12. In attendance were Mayor Montilla and City Councilors Dela Cruz, Salazar, Ferrer, and Segura. Special guests included DOT-XII Regional Director Nelly Dillera and Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel among others.
A bird photo exhibit also opened at Tacurong Fit Mart on May 8 to 13.
Simultaneous with the rest of the festival activities were the art activities at the Baras Bird Sanctuary, which included a coloring and jigsaw puzzle, keyholder and ref magnet painting, origami, bottle recycling, face painting, and bird mural art stroke.
Aside from the usual tour, the sanctuary also offered an obstacle course for kids and a mini trade fair at the premises.
In her message, City Mayor Lina O. Montilla thanked those who heeded the call of the Local Government of Tacurong City to participate in the 3rd Tacurong Bird Festival. “This is geared towards the protection and conservation of Tacurong’s God-given wonder. We do this because we want the future generations to experience the beauty and splendor of our Baras Bird Sanctuary.”
Entrance fees during the bird festival remained at its normal rate at Php20 for adults and Php10 for kids; the rest of the art activities were offered for free.(YRobles, LGU Tacurong Information)
