From flying planes to capturing birds: Who is the man behind PH Eagle photo in ₱1,000 polymer bill?

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By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Photos by Francis Allan Angelo

The newly-issued 1000-piso polymer banknotes of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) have caught the attention of Filipinos not only because of its value but also because of its stunning design.

The obverse side of the banknote prominently displays the picture of the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), an emblem of the country and a critically endangered bird. And while many have praised the arresting image, few are familiar with Floyd Pison Bermejo, the photographer who captured it.

Bermejo is a professional pilot who is passionate about wildlife photography. He has captured many breathtaking photos of animals, but his photo of the Philippine Eagle, which he captured in the wild, is perhaps his most iconic.

The BSP unveiled the redesigned 1000-piso bill in December of last year, with the new banknote officially in circulation since April. Bermejo’s photo of the Philippine Eagle replaced the images of three of the country’s World War II heroes: Jose Abad Santos, Josefa Llanes Escoda, and Vicente Lim.

Landscapes to the wild

Bermejo’s passion for wildlife photography started with a simple fascination for birds. Growing up in Sipalay in Negros Occidental, Bermejo spent his childhood climbing mountains and caves, and bird-hunting with his father.

His love for nature continued to flourish as he took flying lessons and began taking aerial photos of the landscapes below him. As Bermejo’s interest in photography grew, he turned his lens towards the unique and colorful birds that inhabit the Philippines.

“It all started when I photographed a bird relative to the lowland white-eye. From then, I researched and I realized that there are a lot of unique birds in the country,” he shared.

The thrill of capturing the beauty and mystery of wild birds through his camera lens became Bermejo’s passion, and he soon dedicated himself to photographing all of the endemic bird species in the country.

“I started taking photos of landscapes but I found my passion in wildlife photography. With wild bird photography, the thrill is the same with hunting but this time you are already using a camera,” he said.

One of Bermejo’s goals is to photograph all 725 bird species that are known to exist in the Philippines.

Capturing the ‘King of Birds’

The Philippine eagle has always been at the top of Bermejo’s list of birds to photograph. Since joining the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines in 2014, he has dreamt of sighting and capturing the brown feathers, shaggy crest, and vivid blue-gray eyes of the “Haring Ibon” in the wild.

“When I started wild bird photography back in 2014, I listed all the birds that I wanted to photograph in the wild. The Philippine eagle is at the top of the list. Aside from being our National Bird, the Philippine eagle is the largest bird of prey here in our country—and the most beautiful, if I may say so,” he said.

In 2017, he decided to make his dream a reality by visiting the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City.

Bermejo said avian adventures are not just about having the right equipment and being in the right place at the right time. Apart from having the patience and the survival skills, he said that one should also have the knowledge of birds — behavior, physiology, and habitats, among others.

“I did some research about the Philippine eagle on how it behaves because I wanted to photograph it with its crest up,” he said.

“I learned that Philippine eagles raise their crests when they are excited. In captivity, they get excited when they see their handlers bringing food. So whenever I would notice a handler about to walk in front of the eagle, I would prepare to get the shot that I wanted,” he continued.

Bermejo’s goal was to capture the eagle’s fierce hunting instinct while also highlighting its gentle nature. He wanted the bird to have a slightly raised crest, looking down and to the right of his lens. And after hours of waiting and watching, Bermejo finally got the shot he had been waiting for.

Awestruck by the grandeur of the kind of birds, Bermejo also realizes the importance of protecting these magnificent creatures and their habitat.

“Why [would someone] harm such a wonderful creature? Why [would they] ever want to destroy its kingdom?” he pondered.

Hunter-turned-wildlife conservation advocate

Bermejo’s passion for wildlife photography has not only allowed him to capture stunning images of Philippine wildlife but also to raise awareness and inspire action towards protecting and preserving them.

Through his lens, Bermejo hopes to inspire others to take action in protecting and conserving the Philippines’ rich biodiversity.

“Nature conservation is the main reason why I am passionate about wildlife photography. Images are powerful. They can inspire, evoke beauty,” he said.

To contribute to his cause, Bermejo generously gave for free his photo of the Philippine eagle to the BSP.

Bermejo currently displays his photographs in his one-man photo exhibit at SM North Point. The inaugural photo exhibit is a tribute to his profession as a pilot and his passion for bird photography.

A part of the sales from the exhibit will be donated to the Talarak Foundation Inc., a conservation organization that focuses on endemic and endangered species in Negros Island.

The exhibit, which runs from May 4 to May 8, offers the audience a glimpse of the Philippines’ rich biodiversity, its stunning landscapes, and the need to protect and preserve them for future generations.