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| A sea turtle laying eggs in Morong, Bataan |
The Pawikan Conservation Center in Morong, Bataan celebrates its Pawikan Festival every last Sunday of November. But, like last year, the festival has moved to the first Sunday of December. Since its inception in 2001, the Pawikan Festival in Morong town successfully educates the local and national front on the importance of conservation and awareness about endangered marine turtles.
Pawikan Festival 2019 Schedule of Activities
Night Patrol - November 20
The Pawikan lay their eggs from October to February. In fact, last October, friends from Morong, Bataan started inviting me to witness the laying of eggs of Pawikan at one of the hatcheries there.
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| Another sea turtle laying her eggs in Morong, Bataan's beach |
Pawikan Quiz Bee - November 25
Participants from different schools in Bataan join this activity and will be held at Emiliana Hall in Balanga City.
Zumba - December 1 (5:30AM)
On this day of the Pawikan Festival, Zumba will kick off the turtle themed festivity.
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| Zumba lovers of Morong, Bataan |
Walk for a Cause - December 1 (6:00AM)
The Pawikan Festival's Walk for a Cause will commence after Zumba. A kit is available for purchase at Bataan Tourism Center Balanga City.
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| You may avail your kit now |
Thanksgiving Mass - December 1 (7:00AM)
Thanksgiving Mass is usually held at the Pawikan Conservation Center beachfront. The priest at the mass will be Father Regin Tenorio.
Opening Program - December 1 (08:00AM)
The program will begin by speeches from local government officials followed by a "Guest of Honor." Hon. Cynthia Estanislao, the Municipal Mayor of Morong for the Welcome Remarks and Mr. Manolo Ibias, Chairman of Bantay Pawikan Inc., will have a testimony of the Bantay Pawikan Incorporated.
Other prominent politicians will be present at the festival - Hon. Albert S. Garcia (Governor of Bataan Province), Hon. Jose Enrique S. Garcia III (Representative, 2nd District of Batan), Hon. Juan Miguel S. Zubiri (Philippine Senator), and Hon. Ma. Angela S. Garcia (Municipal Mayor of Dinalupihan, Bataan).
Sand Sculpture Contest - December 1 (8:30AM)
Watch the participants as they showcase their sand art interpreting all about Pawikans.
1st Session of Environmental Forum - December 1 (8:30AM - 10:00AM)
Pawikan Conservation ideas and views will be tackled.
Provincial Festival Dance Competition - December 1 (9:00AM)
This is one of the highlights of the Pawikan Festival wherein each municipality of Bataan represents a dance presentation for the competition.
Paddle Painting Contest - December 1 (09:00AM)
This activity allows young artists to show their talents by painting on paddles.
Regional Festival Dance Competition - December 1 (3:00PM)
The winner who won the last year's provincial dance competition will be competing on this event against the representatives of Zambales and Tarlac.
Trade Fair - December 1 (Whole Day)
Expect a lot of booths selling souvenirs and local produce like cashew nuts.
Environment Fair - December 1 (1:00PM onwards)
Learn how to care for the Pawikans by participating in this public fair.
2nd Session of Environmental Forum - December 1 (1:00PM - 2:30PM)
Pawikan Body Painting Exhibition - December 1 (5:00PM onwards)
One of my favorite events of the Festival.
Awarding Ceremony and Closing Remarks - December 1 (5:00PM onwards)
Beach Party - December 1 (5:00PM onwards)
The Pawikan Conservation Center was established in 1999 in Brgy. Nagbalayong, Morong, Bataan. Under the Republic Act No. 9147, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources identified patches of shores of Morong, Bataan as a breeding ground of marine turtles.
Three out of five marine turtle species in the country nests in Morong; the Olive Ridley, Green Sea Turtle, and Hawksbill.
With the decreasing number of these marine turtles, local poachers were educated about the importance of these animals. Eventually, poachers were turned into patrollers, conservationists, and educators at the Pawikan Conservation Center.
The main turtle hatchery is found at the Pawikan Conservation Center where poachers-turned-patrollers take care of the facility. Another hatchery, the first in Morong, is located in Sitio Fuerte Poblacion manned by concerned local volunteers painstakingly looking after the breeding ground.
The Pawikan Hatchery in Sitio Fuerte continues its advocacy despite its lack of funds from the local government. Due to numerous sea turtles laying eggs in the town, I am glad this hatchery exists. You may check Sitio Fuerte's Facebook Page on their link (Sagip Pawikan)
The program will begin by speeches from local government officials followed by a "Guest of Honor." Hon. Cynthia Estanislao, the Municipal Mayor of Morong for the Welcome Remarks and Mr. Manolo Ibias, Chairman of Bantay Pawikan Inc., will have a testimony of the Bantay Pawikan Incorporated.
Other prominent politicians will be present at the festival - Hon. Albert S. Garcia (Governor of Bataan Province), Hon. Jose Enrique S. Garcia III (Representative, 2nd District of Batan), Hon. Juan Miguel S. Zubiri (Philippine Senator), and Hon. Ma. Angela S. Garcia (Municipal Mayor of Dinalupihan, Bataan).
Sand Sculpture Contest - December 1 (8:30AM)
Watch the participants as they showcase their sand art interpreting all about Pawikans.
1st Session of Environmental Forum - December 1 (8:30AM - 10:00AM)
Pawikan Conservation ideas and views will be tackled.
Provincial Festival Dance Competition - December 1 (9:00AM)
This is one of the highlights of the Pawikan Festival wherein each municipality of Bataan represents a dance presentation for the competition.
Paddle Painting Contest - December 1 (09:00AM)
This activity allows young artists to show their talents by painting on paddles.
Regional Festival Dance Competition - December 1 (3:00PM)
The winner who won the last year's provincial dance competition will be competing on this event against the representatives of Zambales and Tarlac.
Trade Fair - December 1 (Whole Day)
Expect a lot of booths selling souvenirs and local produce like cashew nuts.
Environment Fair - December 1 (1:00PM onwards)
Learn how to care for the Pawikans by participating in this public fair.
2nd Session of Environmental Forum - December 1 (1:00PM - 2:30PM)
Pawikan Body Painting Exhibition - December 1 (5:00PM onwards)
One of my favorite events of the Festival.
Awarding Ceremony and Closing Remarks - December 1 (5:00PM onwards)
Beach Party - December 1 (5:00PM onwards)
The Pawikan Conservation Center
The Pawikan Conservation Center was established in 1999 in Brgy. Nagbalayong, Morong, Bataan. Under the Republic Act No. 9147, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources identified patches of shores of Morong, Bataan as a breeding ground of marine turtles.
Three out of five marine turtle species in the country nests in Morong; the Olive Ridley, Green Sea Turtle, and Hawksbill.
With the decreasing number of these marine turtles, local poachers were educated about the importance of these animals. Eventually, poachers were turned into patrollers, conservationists, and educators at the Pawikan Conservation Center.
Turtle Hatcheries in Morong, Bataan
The main turtle hatchery is found at the Pawikan Conservation Center where poachers-turned-patrollers take care of the facility. Another hatchery, the first in Morong, is located in Sitio Fuerte Poblacion manned by concerned local volunteers painstakingly looking after the breeding ground.
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| The Pawikan Conservation Center's Hatchery |
The Pawikan Hatchery in Sitio Fuerte continues its advocacy despite its lack of funds from the local government. Due to numerous sea turtles laying eggs in the town, I am glad this hatchery exists. You may check Sitio Fuerte's Facebook Page on their link (Sagip Pawikan)
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| A volunteer of Sitio Fuerte Sagip Pawikan |
Here's a recap of Pawikan Festival Schedule of Activities
- November 23 - Night Patrol - 7:30AM
- November 25 - Pawikan Quiz Bee
- December 01 - (Pawikan Festival Event Proper)
- Zumba - 5:30AM
- Walk for a Cause - 6:00AM
- Thanksgiving Mass - 7:00AM
- Opening Program - 8:00AM
- Sand Sculpture Contest - 8:30AM
- Environment Forum (First Session) - 8:30AM - 10:00AM
- Provincial Festival Dance Competition - 9:00AM
- Paddle Painting Contest - 9:00AM
- Regional Festival Dance Competition - 3:00PM
- Trade Fair - Whole Day
- Environment Fair - 1:00PM onwards
- Environment Forum (Second Session) - 1:00PM - 2:30PM
- Pawikan Body Painting Exhibition - 5:00PM
- Awarding Ceremony and Closing Program - 5:00PM onwards
- Beach Party - 5:00PM onwards
Very informative, I really enjoyed reading it.
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