Esquire Philippines: 22-Year-Old Photographer Presents 101 Subic Bay Bird Species in New Book
With its lush forest areas that provide a natural habitat for a diverse collection of birdlife, Subic Bay is considered one of the best birding sites in the Philippines.
Young wildlife photographer Vinz Pascua offers a comprehensive exploration of the diverse avian life in the area in the book “Birds of Subic Bay."
The book features fascinating snaps of 101 bird species found in Subic Bay, ranging from the sought-after Philippine endemics to the seasonal migrants and local residents. Accompanying the visual experience are information about each bird species, as well as details about the more popular birding hotspots in the area.
As a tribute to the original guardians of the birds and forests of Subic Bay, this book also includes the Ayta Ambala names of each bird, honoring the native language of the Indigenous Peoples who have called Subic Bay their home.
The birds in this book are organized by geographical distribution. The first section features endemic species exclusive to the Philippines and near-endemic birds primarily found in the Philippines, with smaller populations in nearby countries like Taiwan and Indonesia.
After the endemic birds, the next section features notable Subic residents that can also be found in other parts of the world. The final section highlights migratory birds that visit Subic during the winter months.
All bird photos in this book have been taken in the wild by the 22-year-old Pascua, who also did the graphic design of the book.
The book will have an official launch on November 21, 2024 at the Promenade of Ayala Malls Harbor Point in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The launch is part of the 32nd Anniversary of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority with SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño as guest of honor. The event is organized by Birds in Focus, Inc., Haring Ibon, and Bird Finder Philippines, with partners SBMA, Ayala Malls Harbor Point, Subic GO, Wildlife in Need, and the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines.
A special discounted rate is offered until November 30, 2024. Ten percent of the net income from sales of the book will go to Wildlife in Need (WIN), a non-profit organization based in Subic Bay dedicated to the conservation of species and the enhancement of animal well-being. Orders may be placed on the Haring Ibon Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/haringibon.bif.