Sample Public Relations Article No.1

“SERENDIPITY”

“Serendipity” is the word that Philippine Eagle Foundation, Inc. (PEFI) exec. dir and 2000 TOYM awardee, Dennis I. Salvador, uses to describe the major gift donation a very generous couple endowed the foundation with.

Two weekends ago, this soft-spoken couple strolled into Philippine Eagle Center at Malagos, as guests of a local university. The accompanying hosts recognized deputy dir. Doming Tadena (captive breeding head) and requested him to accompany them for the tour.

The couple listened intently as deputy dir. Tadena passionately explained why we needed to save Philippine Eagles from extinction, the larger problems this mission represents such as the continuing degradation of our forests and the loss of biological diversity. And, ultimately, the question of what we are leaving our children with. At the end of his impassioned speech they asked, “How can we help?”

“Among our many needs, we need generous godparents who can help us house one of the two eagles born last year and provide for their annual maintenance,” Tadena replies.

“We will help,” the couple answered. “We will adopt one eaglet and donate an enclosure for this. We will give the entire six year funding for its’ maintenance support now instead of on a yearly basis. This will enable you to utilize the annual earnings of the funds as additional sources of funding” At the end of this sunny afternoon, the November eaglet was adopted.

A few days later, the couple came back with their gift donation. Their one request : “No media funfare or photo releases." The very casual turnover ceremony was witnessed by one of their children, the university hosts and the Foundation team.

Many would define serendipity as pure luck – but PEF President Carlos A. Pedrosa says, “Serendipity is made possible when the right set of circumstances come into place. In this case, an enlightened couple who saw beyond the symbolism of the Philippine Eagle and on the other hand a group of people who work endlessly against environmental degradation.”

“With the Philippine Eagle Foundation, Inc. I witnessed landmark results which given our present challenges, shouldn't have but did take place. I attribute this to the dedication, perseverance and hard work that the entire Malagos and Davao Philippine Eagle team have put into creating a legacy for a healthy environment. That’s the bottom line – leaving our children and generations to come with clean water and clean air by preserving the country’s rainforests – the Eagle’s habitat.” explained Pedrosa.

NOTE: published Sunday Inquirer Magazine 2001