Ang Pahayagan

The Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines (WBPP), in partnership with the Quezon City Government and its Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department, announces the staging of the Quezon City Bird Race 2026, with its first leg set on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at La Mesa Ecopark in celebration of Earth Day.

The event marks the first time that a bird race of this scale will be conducted in Metro Manila, bringing together bird photographers, birdwatchers, environmental advocates, and the general public in a unique convergence of competition, education, and conservation.

A bird race is a structured, time-bound activity where teams aim to find, observe, and photograph as many bird species as possible within a designated area while strictly adhering to ethical wildlife practices, with the broader objective of promoting biodiversity awareness, responsible wildlife engagement, and a deeper appreciation of natural ecosystems – even within highly urbanized environments.

The Quezon City Bird Race 2026 forms part of a continuing conservation initiative led by WBPP to bring birding closer to communities and highlight the importance of protecting Philippine birdlife. In the Philippines, bird races have previously been organized by WBPP in Puerto Princesa City in 2012, Tarlac in 2014, and Infanta in 2022 covering the South Sierra Madre, making the Quezon City edition the fifth bird race organized by the group and the first to be held in Metro Manila.

What started in Puerto Princesa has since evolved into an annual international bird race organized by the city government, now on its ninth year in 2026, demonstrating how local initiatives can grow into sustained conservation platforms. Internationally, bird races have long been established, with the Fraser’s Hill International Bird Race running for 37 years and Vietnam’s national bird race now on its third year, reflecting a growing regional movement in Southeast Asia.

Presented with Sony and CameraHaus, the Quezon City Bird Race 2026 is designed as a three-leg event, with succeeding legs scheduled on June 6, 2026, at Quezon Memorial Circle and Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in celebration of Philippine Eagle Week, and on August 29, 2026, at University of the Philippines Diliman in line with the anniversary of WBPP.

According to WBPP co-founder and president Alain Pascua, the Quezon City Bird Race represents an important step in bringing birding and conservation closer to people living in urban environments. He emphasized that cities like Quezon City still host a surprising diversity of birdlife, and events like this help make that visible, appreciated, and ultimately protected. He also expressed appreciation to Mayor Joy Belmonte for supporting the initiative, noting that the city government’s openness to hosting the bird race reflects strong leadership in promoting urban biodiversity and environmental awareness.

Pascua added that the bird race is not just about competition, but about shaping a culture of ethical wildlife photography and shared responsibility for nature. He noted that by engaging photographers, young people, and the general public, the initiative helps build a stronger community of advocates who understand that conservation begins with awareness and appreciation.

The event is positioned not merely as a competition but as a structured conservation program that promotes appreciation of native and endemic birds, advances ethical and responsible wildlife photography, strengthens camaraderie among photographers and environmental advocates, and raises public awareness on biodiversity conservation within urban landscapes. Each leg will feature a bird photography workshop-clinic with lectures on Philippine birds, field techniques, ethical practices, photographing birds in flight, and post-processing, alongside a curated Birds of Quezon City photo exhibit that showcases the richness of urban birdlife and reinforces the importance of conservation even within metropolitan settings.

Activities during the first leg on April 25 will begin as early as 5:30 in the morning with the registration and briefing of participants, leading to the ceremonial opening and official start of the bird race at 6:00 AM, when teams disperse across the park to photograph birds in real time. By mid-morning, sponsor booths will be open to the public, alongside the Birds of Quezon City photo exhibit and live demonstrations, including camera and lens cleaning services, offering strong visual and interactive segments for coverage.

The race concludes late morning, followed by validation of entries and scoring, while the afternoon program transitions into a bird photography workshop and clinic featuring expert talks on Philippine birds, birding techniques, and post-processing, interspersed with product presentations from leading camera brands.

The day culminates with awarding and closing ceremonies at around 4:40 PM, wrapping up a full day of competition, learning, and public engagement that runs until approximately 5:00 PM.

While 47 teams are set to compete in the first leg, the event remains open to the public, including non-participants, organizers, sponsors, volunteers, and park visitors, who are encouraged to witness the race, attend learning sessions, visit partner booths, and engage in event activities.

A special category, Best Birders in Action Photos, is also open to all attendees, allowing participation through the documentation of authentic birding moments using cameras or mobile phones, further expanding public engagement and storytelling around birding.

With over one million pesos worth of prizes across all legs and categories, including Paramihan or most number of birds photographed and Pagandahan or best bird photographs, the event highlights both excellence and advocacy, underscoring that birding is not only about competition but also about community, learning, and shared responsibility for nature.

The Quezon City Bird Race 2026 is made possible through the support of its presentors Sony and CameraHaus; major sponsors Canon, Nikon, Panasonic Lumix, and Haring Ibon; minor sponsors Lowepro, Tamron, Benro, PgyTech, and Henry’s Cameras; bird hide and tour partners My Blue Backpack in Coron, Palawan, Balai Princesa in Puerto Princesa City, Bangkong Kahoy Nature Retreat in dolores, Quezon, Birdwing in Puerto Princesa City, and Tres Marias Farm and Bird Sanctuary in Tigbauan, Iloilo; and venue hosts and partners La Mesa Ecopark, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, and University of the Philippines Diliman.

The Quezon City Bird Race 2026 stands as a milestone initiative that brings conservation into the urban mainstream, inviting broader public participation and fostering a deeper connection between people and biodiversity.

For more information, updates, and detailed schedules, the public and media are advised to visit and follow the official Facebook page of the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines. (PR)