The Loss of Legacy But The Start of Something New

News Article: Philippine eagle Pamana found shot dead in Davao Oriental



 Pamana, is the tagalog word for Legacy, and it was the name given to a noble creature who was freed the day my country celebrated Independence day. Can you imagine how significant that creature was? Besides it being critically-endangered, Philippine Monkey-eating eagles are also symbols of nationalism. When I heard this dreadful news on TV, I literally stopped chewing and simply froze. As soon as I swallowed my food, I had an ugly feeling inside, and I bowed down my head as I grieved this creature's death, the Datus and Rajahs of the skies. After dinner, I resumed with my usual internet routine, but I couldn't get my mind and heart off the incident. So here I am, writing about the loss of Legacy.

In the first place, I didn't even know that the government decided to do such a thing: releasing a bird to the wild. Thinking about it, I thought it was a very honorable idea. The bird fleeting to it's home could be compared to the Filipino's love for freedom,  nationalism, and hope. Those fierce eyes must be what Lapu-lapu looked like when he caught sight of the Spaniards coming to shore. Those talons must equal in sharpness to the swords of Katipuneros and the nobility it seemed to bear was like of fallen soldiers who fought for our nation's freedom and peace.

And when it died by bullet to it's chest, this must be how it feels like to witness a hero's death. Let's say, that hero was Rizal. A man whose wings brought him anywhere in the world, but still, his heart remained in native soil and sea.

Surely, some people would think. 'That's just the death of a damn bird! What does it have to do with our lives?" Two words: National love.

If only we loved our country, then we would take by heart the wonders of our isles and islets. From the bays, to the white shores, to the majestic peaks, and the sea. There's the animals, the birds, the fish, the flowers, the trees. We are a beautiful country, if only people looked properly. That's not all! What about the fierce devotion to our Lord? The passion, the faith, the unity we all get to experience during national fiestas. How about the heart of the people? Our hearts are golden pearls. The person sitting next to me isn't only a Filipino, but he is a brother. What about those times at calamity? When people worked hand in hand to help others. The bravery to rise from the debris, from the ashes, from the earth-covered homes, from the loss of properties and lives and loved ones.

When that bird died, a bit of hope died too. I thought to myself  'Is this really how we are as a nation?' If we truly loved our country then we would never have thought of launching a bullet to the sky. Would never have killed a brother, would never steal money from the people. Times are dark, are bleak, are misty, but from a distance I still see something not all Filipinos can see. I see light. Hope.

I wonder what thoughts must have swirled in Rizal's mind when he looked up from his scribbling hand, towards the sea, with the sun slowly setting to sleep with the ocean and be lulled by the breeze. What could be the driving essence of his quest. He's so far away! He could have settled in bliss in stone roads and brown houses. He could have enjoyed his life out there, that lucky man. But still, his heart ached, his mind dreamed, and his soul moved to the sunray hymn of his motherland. My motherland. Our Inang bayan.

When that bird died, I wonder what would the heroes think. If they were looking down on us from heaven, would they bow their heads in momentarily grief too?

Pamana, you may have flown off to the heaven of birds, but your spirit of legacy shall stay.

I never would have allowed myself to grieve for just a bird, you know, but with you, I think I now know why you're an excepition. It's because you're a symbol of my country, of my hope, of my dreams for our land. Soon eagles of your kind shall fly freely within these lands, thriving with glee, screaming battle cries in pure bliss. With them, love shall soar into the people's hearts once again, freely within every Filipino man, thriving with glee, screaming battle cries in pure bliss.

Photo courtesy of Philippine Eagle Foundation

Changing Course

Hey! It has been such a long time! I know, I've been on a huge pause from Pacific Eagle! So, I've decided to have an additional purpose for this blog. It will still be a portal for expressing my learnings and understandings but I decided this will also be a tool for expressing my opinions. We hear news everyday, and we have opinions, stories and experiences! I was thinking maybe I could express a bit of opinion here and there, then perhaps also accounts of my experiences.

I believe that the truth and reality go together, and I'll try my best not to get biased or hurt anyone in the means of voicing out my thoughts, but know that I never intend to hurt anyone, ever. I'm just a teen who cares and shares fairly.

I hope this new addition to this blog will allow it to be a site for information and of use as it would also be a tool for expressing in my part.

In addition, I have a separate blog for my inner musings, feelings and fancy shmancy stuff: Thenothingale.blogger.com

Eagles and Hawks! :)

Our Own Seasons

The seasons are caused by the orbiting of the Earth around the sun. Each orbit takes about a year to complete. Meanwhile, the poles take turn in 'facing' the sun, and this leads to the change in climate of many countries. An exception is made to those who are near the equator because they receive a steady supply of direct sunlight. These tropical countries only have two seasons: Dry and Wet.

We are orbiting too. We have our own seasons. As long as we are living, we encounter Ups and Downs. At some point in our lives, we may be gloomy, at another time, life's all blooming. These are things we may or may not be able to control. Inevitable things do exist anyway. Everyone is bound to experience sadness, anger, fear and disappointment.

Imagine how it would be if our lives would be as predictable as the seasons?

Unlike real life, we know which months do the autumn leaves fall, or young buds to open and grow. We have an idea when those events happen. Would you like life to be like that? Predictable as always, that we know when will our time for success be? Or the time for sadness? That is for you to answer.

In real life, we are influenced by everything around us, at the same time ourselves. We have the choice to work our way to true happiness or to brood about yesterday. We have the decision to be kind or cruel today, or to which side will you face: To the sun or to the darkness?

Everyone trips sometimes. We've all tripped before. Because back when we were learning to walk, we could have stayed with crawling on fours forever! Or stick to our old ways. Besides, crying out loud is still one way to get attention when someone stole your candy... Or when someone stole your sleek camera.

Kidding! But think about it: we have the natural urge to rise from our downfalls. We stood up when we tripped. We fixed something we broke.

Conclusion? The Earth have been through blizzards, meteorites, global warming and countless typhoons.. Yet here it is still turning.

Life moves on no matter what. Learn to have hope, because nothing stays the same forever. Feeling depressed these days? Try to revolve and face the sun. Through darkness, through light, as long as we're moving in this endless fight... that's one simple, but awesome way to say "Hey, we're actually living!"

xoxo PacificEagle oxox

Hatching To The Sea

There are things we could never explain. Such questions are waiting for the next Einstein to give them solutions.

Why do we live? What is the spark that keeps the Earth constantly spinning, or our hearts steadily beating? Why are things designed the way they are, and not like this or that? Such questions have been pondered by great thinkers over the last 2000 years, and even until now the answers are still cloudy.

Since this is my first post, I should probably introduce myself a bit. I am SeaEagle, your blog-next-door. I’m here to delve into Earth’s concepts and mysteries, from as simple as elementary science up until rocket science and the most complicated topics, anything that we could think of! Although I’m nowhere an expert on these facts, there are always sources that provide learning. This blog serves as a microphone to echo my learnings. SeaEagle is mutualism, a give and take kind of relationship.  We both learn, in terms of both science and magic. Because as much as there are a lot of things we find confusing and don’t have the answers, we could always go around the subject and nose dive into further deepness. That’s the beauty of the human mind. Our imagination is limitless, and even if this eagle can never answer the world’s most trivial questions, at least it can provide insights and food for thoughts.

Let’s face it, I’m just a teenage girl trying to find her own voice in this sea of information. I can never fill the gaps of science and logic, but I could always color outside the lines, think outside the box. This blog serves as a challenge, for me, to test how deep my pacific mind can go.

My blog’s aim is to refresh people’s minds with refresher facts, but sprinkle them with a twist of life. I would like to give meaning to everything, and hope my words may help others find meaning to their lives.

Learn and inspire, flockmates! I have another personal blog, Thenothingale, but it’s boring over there. Who ever wants to hear a teenage girl’s rants caused by her raging hormones?

Keep in touch, and I’ll be posting soon!