Behold the Philippine Eagle, King of Birds!
The tallest eagle, terror of monkey herds
Its crest stands tall like a rooster on the roll
Hear its vibrant, authoritative call
Like a mythical griffin, it has the cover of a lion
That’s why in our nation it’s called “Haribon”.

Discovered by a man from United Kingdom
The faithful, monogamous Haribon (King of Birds) is only from
The Philippines, my country…a valiant country
First known to Europeans in our year of gallantry
When our national hero, Rizal, was brutally slain
By our first conqueror – the kingly Spain

This glorious bird is our monument of courage
A living emblem of our struggle for golden age
Its dignified countenance on our coin chiseled
So splendid & adorable like a handsome young man muscled
The starring on our national basketball team’s logo
This is our national bird – adore, preserve & lo!

-01/27/2015
(Dumarao)
*Defense of the Animals Collection