A long-time supporter of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), Shell will be sponsoring Magiting's needs for a year, including expenses for the eagle's food as well as associated costs for conducting research on the critically endangered national bird. "The Philippine Eagle is symbolic of our country - majestic and soars to great heights if given an opportunity - and just like the Philippines, needs our care to thrive, " Shell companies in the Philippines President Edgar Chua said during the program. Chua said the names of their adopted eagles, Pag-asa and Magiting, reflect their optimism in the country. He acknowledged the difficult times the Philippines is in, but lauded and expressed his support for groups like the PEF who continue to work and make a difference in spite of the challenges. The PEF has been undertaking conservation work for Philippine Eagles and their habitat for nearly three decades. A small organization relying mostly on private donations, the PEF engages groups and organizations like Shell to participate in eagle conservation work by sponsoring the needs of one Philippine Eagle. To date, fourteen of the 31 eagles at the Philippine Eagle Center remain without benefactors. The second Philippine Eagle sponsored by Shell, Magiting is a sub-adult male Philippine Eagle turned over to the PEF in September 2002. Severely stressed after having been captured by a local farmer, the eagle had to be airlifted to the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City where he recovered. He is currently being introduced a female eagle named Pangarap for possible pairing. Shell joins a select group of eagle supporters who have been contributing annually to the Pag-asa Support Fund since 1992. The fund fuels research and conservation breeding work needed to bring back the dwindling population of Philippine Eagles in the country. The support fund was named after the first-ever captive-bred Philippine Eagle Pag-asa. Philippine Eagle Foundation Executive Director Dennis Salvador (3rd from left) and SciP Country Chairman Edgar Chua (3rd from right) formalize Shell's adoption of eagle Magiting. Also on hand to pay a visit to Magiting at the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City were (l-r) Pilipinas Shell's Distribution Manager for Southern Islands Manny Solito, Pilipinas Shell VP for External Affairs Romy de Guzman, VP for Finance Rudy Naguit and Mindanao Retail Regional Manager Jojo Conde. [by Tatit Quiblat, Communications Officer-Philippine Eagle Foundation]
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