Philippine Turtles – May kinabukasan ba sila?

Yesterday we celebrated the 6th World Turtle Day in the Philippines. The theme was Philippine Turtles – May kinabukasan ba sila? Discussing whether they have a future in terms of existing conservation measures.

Before providing more details on the activities and numbers of attendees (the elaboration of which might still take us a couple of days) I would like to take the chance to thank all donors and sponsors.

Aside from so far two related betterplace donations from Andrea Wild for Quiz Bee trophies and gift prizes (50Euro = PHP2900) and Jürgen Schoppe for materials for the painting contest (50Euro = PHP2900) we had many betterplace external cash donations and in-kind gifts:

Cash donations: College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (CFAS, PHP1000), PPSRNP through Elisabeth Maclang and Elmer Padilla (PHP1000 and one tour to the PPSRNP), WPU Prof Merline Rabaya (PHP200), WPU Dr. Lita Sopsop (PHP500), WPU Dr. Romeo Lerom (PHP200), Joselito Sabuya (PHP100), Zusima Sabuya (PHP500), Juliet Vergara (PHP200), Ian Michael Luz (PHP500), Lorivel Atrero (PHP300) Capt. Gerardo (PHP500)

In-kind gifts/contributions:

CFAS: snacks, certificate printing, card board for photo contest, carpentry work in making the frames for painting

PRIMCO (WPU PPC Cooperative) (10 x 100 Peso Smart load)

Traffic Southeast Asia (turtle books)

Conservation International Quezon City through Jeanne Tabangay (booklets, brochures, mouse pads)

WPU Dr. Benjamin Gonzalez (fish books)

WPU Dr. Ria Sariego (2 calculators)

Dos Palmas: Day tour to Dos Palmas

PPSRNP: Day tour to the Underground River

RMN coverage of winning turtle conservation commercial

ABS CBN coverage of activity

KFI PCCP (Biodiversity Conservation books, button pins)

All remaining expenses: KFI - Philippine Freshwater Turtle Conservation Program (additional cash gifts worse PHP4250, tokens e.g. calculators, note books, filing cases, button pins, face towels, post cards, brochures, school supplies, Quiz Bee materials and related expenses for meals, transportation, communication etc.

Thank you for to all of you. Without your generous contribution we would not have been able to celebrate World Turtle Day this year.

Thank you so much. And a special thank you to our partners, the Western Philippines University Puerto Princesa Campus. Congratulations and Happy Turtle Day, Sabine