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NYC awards MyZoo – Zoom, June 2003

An article by Herbert V. Valderia

MyZoo received recognation as one of the ever Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations Awards (TAYO) by the National Youth Commission. The awards emphasizes on the role of youth organization in nation-building by intiating programs that help in the development of their local communities. An estimated 300 youth organizations nationwide joined, these were then narrowed down to 20 finalist. Each finalist was given a chance to showcase their group and its activities. Core group member and Board of Directors Treasurer Louis Lopez represented the MyZoo Volunteer Group Foundation, Onc. (MZVG) in a week-long stay at the Hyatt Regency Hotel together with the other delegates last April. Lopez presented the Zoo to You program and other major projects of the MZVG to a panel of distinguished judges, including Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. A response speech from the winners was requested as part of the program and Lopez, without any hesitation, did it as representative once more, of the ten winning groups. Her Excellency Pres. Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo graced the event which was held at the Malacanang Palace. Prize money of P50,000 was given to MyZoo to fund ongoing projects.

MyZoo Celebrates Year 3 – Zoom, June 2003

Anton Palo lets you in to MZVG’s realm of volunteering in a humorous note.

For a moment, let’s set the animals aside and take a sneak peak into the world of the formidable group behind it: The MyZoo Volunteer Group Foundation Inc. or simply, MyZoo! After three years of stiff budget, individual differences, and a lot of limited resources, spare not the lack of office equipment, what defines MyZoo?

Resolutely united. Despite all those nice TV shows and movie channels, it can’t be helped but notice that somebody is always watching the same episode of some sports show or tour-guide channel again and again, repeatedly saying the same opinions they had before. That’s how to decribe the amusing and enjoyable company MyZoo has despite the work they had to hurdle concurrently with school or professional lives. Funny they don’t even try to record it. Even funnier how they manage to catch all those episodes, without fail, at all.

Predominantly "single". A proposal for advertising: Join MyZoo! Give the animals your love, your unconditional love because though they may scratch your face they’ll never break your heart unlike Homo sapiens. But don’t despair, some had actually found their greatest love within the group!

MyZoo’s future: Probably full of park-rangers-for-hire, complete with rifles and jagged-edge bayonets, and environment-imitating suits. Definitely at least a van. Or a bus. A zoo complete with updated equipment and professionally trained keepers are a part of MZVGs long term goals. You’re just probably hearing the bells’ jingling for financial support.

Zoom – Zoom, June 2003

Two Saturdays ago, on a visit to the zoo, I was walking along the primates enclosure. Suddenly, I saw a familiar scene: a teen age boy, say fifteen or sixteen cursing Nancy the chimp, he was dancing like wild to set the animal in an irate mood. He was also spitting at her as if he actually deserved all those. If not for the cursing part, I would have thought that the boy should have been there with Nancy as well. This was the scene three years ago that kept me going back to the zoo almost everyday during my last collegiate summer break. I thought that my ‘little-heroism’? of patrolling and conducting zoo tours cum environmental awareness lecturers to kids and adults afterward would eradicate disrespect and even apathy among the zoo goers. I was wrong. Yet, this did not disappoint me and the friends who helped put up this organization/group. A lot of us must have felt a similar kind of disappointment but through the years, members kept multiplying, more sponsors came, which meant bigger and better projects toward our one aspiration. Creating a newsletter for the Foundation has been a plan concocted two years ago, after our first informative-activity book, My Animal Treasures. The wait which lasted for two years however seemed worth it as MZVG found more committed members, gathered more years of experience as a solid organization, not to mention the realization of a fund to support our baby, Zoom. Like the lenses of the camera, Zoom intends to give focus to the various news and activities related to MZVGs thrusts, a major weight of which goes to the preservation of endemic species.

Having lasted for three years seem like a long time already because of all the problems the group had to hurdle, not excluding personal ones. Problems, both personal and institutional had to intervene, but despite all of them, everyone struggled to focus on our vision. We just had to realize that these things had to happen to remind us that we are but flawed creatures. And through our most modest ways of struggling for this cause of ours, we wish to inspire more people and instill in them not the value of heroism but that of love and respect for a world which keeps on revolving because of the creatures, man or otherwise, that abound it.

We are currently pained because of the Aroceros park re-construction for a non-environmental government infrastructure program. That park is home to a lot of trees and may be the only material legacy that Manila has to show that it once boasted of a predominantly green environment. The zoo where we established our group is not far from seeing a similar fate, but as long as we are here, we could not let this happen. It is indeed disheartening to know that the adults who are proponents of these projects do not see through the future consequences of what they are doing. To totally obliterate God’s gift to man to make way for man a manmade creation just does not seem fair at all. The children’s wholesome and safe kind of fun, the Filipino family’s bonding, the employment of workers, a world of equal opportunities should be these government officials’ main concern. And not an abolition of something they cannot rebuild. In behalf of the staff, I wish you all an enriching read – ’til the next issue!

Call to dedication – Zoom, June 2003

"Life is difficult." That is the opening line of M. Scott Peck’s book, "The Road Less Traveled". He is damn right. But I love life. And so even though life is difficult, I have chosen to help run a foundation, MyZoo. Along with my co-founder Kathy Chua, MyZoo’s Core Group – Melanie Tan, Anton Palo, Andrew Galano, Lester Louis Lopez and Hrbs Valderia, the brillant Tinky Cabanatan, Gen dela Cruz and other dedicated volunteers, all of us have chosen a path that we did not have to. You see, running a non-profit organization is no joke. There has been a lot of tough times and moments when it seems that there is no more hope but we are blessed and we see through all the tough times. I congratulate everyone, not just because you are MyZoo Volunteers but because you have chosen to answer a call to help save and protect what’s left of our environment. I continue to challenge you and the others who has yet to realize the importance and beauty of our Earth to be aware of your actions because the littlest things like, not turning off the lights after using it will affect not just our natural resources but all of us in one way or another. I challenge you to respect all creatures big and small, if you truly value life. And finally, I challenge you to take the road less traveled and make a difference.

Fire ignited – Zoom, June 2003

Jhonne Lim realizes that there’s more to simply completing requirements for her Lay Apostolate class

Though animals are the creatures closest to us humans, being, having or getting close to any of them is the least of my concerns. Sure I get to watch them in different animal shows (i.e. national geographic, animal planet and the like) and get to be informed of them through science classes but I never thought I would be sharing time and devoting unforgettable moments with them. All of these I never knew and perceived before I entered college.

My Lay Apostolate class has allowed me to experience that least-concerned side of me. Being a volunteer of the MZVG has taught me a lot of things, not only concerning animals but most importantly, the importance of valuing life. As a volunteer, I, together with my block mates, was first oriented of the purpose and mission of MZVG foundation. Then we were taught different activities that are part of the group’s goal in protecting the animals. Such activities included feeding of the animals, cleaning of the surroundings and enclosures and being a tour guide. We had our hands on informing other people about the animals in the zoo and gained additional knowledge about them as well. Tiring as they may sound, my experience is the kind where I can say that I have learned and was enlightened about the proper conservation, preservation of biodiversity. I also learned about the conditions of the animals in different parts of the world. Spending time with these animals really made me feel like I was one with them – that I only wished them safety and security. Being a volunteer allowed me to make choices and ignited the fire in me to support and help them in their quest for survival, like the way we fight for our own. I will never regret having this experience and would gladly continue to be a part of MZVG.

To The Rescue – Zoom, June 2003

Rizza Araceli F. Salinas, introduces the WRC way of nurturing friends from the wild

One would probably be surprised to find the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center right in the heart of the busy streets of Quezon Avenue in Quezon City. What surprises them more is to discover the Wildlife Rescue Center and Mini–Zoo inside the 22-hectare park.

The Wildlife Rescue Center serves as a temporary shelter for the wild animals confiscated from illegal traders at sea ports, airports, and pet shops. The Center also accepts animals being donated by owners who can no longer take care of their animals. Once admitted, animals undergo a specific quarantine period, the duration of which depends upon the species. It is during this period when all laboratory tests and other medications are provided for the animals. If the animals deem fit to survive in the wild, they may be reintroduced to their natural habitat, only after they have been fully rehabilitated and trained to adapt to conditions of the wild.

Also being implemented in the Center is the disposition of animals as stated in the DENR Administrative Order No. 97 – 17 where excess animals may be conditionally loaned or donated to other government and private agencies or institutions for breeding, conservation, education and the like.

At present the Center houses a total of 1,079 animals and donations and confiscation just keep coming in. This is only an indication that Filipinos now have better sense of awareness on the conservation and preservation of nature and wildlife.

Building a legacy – Zoom, June 2003

Kitty Arce walks you through the beginnings of the foundation which was once a dream

It was three years ago in January of 2000 when Kathy Chua and I met at the Manila Zoo. We had different reasons why we wanted to help and had different ways to implement our ideas but we shared one passion, our love for animals.

Then came the wonderful individuals who had no idea what MyZoo was all about but wanted to make a difference. They sacrificed a lot for MyZoo’s cause and were determined to do something about our dwindling wildlife. Without them, MyZoo would not be the group it is today.

MyZoo is a group of individuals who are working tirelessly in the conservation of biodiversity through education making zoos and rescue centers effective educational institutions, at the same time helping them improve their facilities. In a span of three years. MyZoo has contributed researches and a number of conservation methods and programs such as rallying against war in order to save the remaining part of our forests and organizing environmental awareness trainings and immersion trips for members.

There has been a lot of support from different organizations as well like St. Scholastica’s College, De La Salle University, San Beda College, Asia Pacific College, AMA Computer Learning Center, and Asian Institute of Management have all been generous in sending students to help carry out MyZoo’s Mission-Vision. Hands On Manila has also sent hundreds of clean-up brigades to the Manila Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Center.

I have never imagined that MyZoo would reach this far but I have always known that I am working among a dedicated and hard-working team who has long realized the importance of environmental conservation. We have taken on something not too many people will do. It is a shame that our nation has not made the environment one of their priorities yet the destruction of which will soon affect us all. Being on the frontline of a fight that is not supported by many is crucial – but someone has to do it.

Back To Old Earth – Zoom, June 2003

By Annette P. Tamino

Back to old growth forests,
An aerial view that’s lust green
and decorated by a bird’s loud nostalgic whistles.
Back to the heart of it
where lianas and vines mix with humid heat
and giant trees
where the top predator is perched.
Daring with its eyes,
waiting for a monkey, a kagwang,
perhaps a cobra or some mammal
found in a wide tree hole.

Back to the green sight
And breath taking scene
of a huge wingspan marking blue clear skies
Where the eagle is king
And not a trophy of a fenced, concrete mansion
or specimen for knowledge of man’s vanity
to be captured and bought for a price
or be reared in a cage
because there is no priority for such
rare beauty that surrounded
an old earth that I wish will return.