PHILIPPINES: PULILAN BUTTERFLY HAVEN

Tagalog/Eng/Nat Thanks to its tropical climate, the Philippines is a butterfly-rich country. Studies have shown that the country hosts a total of 1,674 butterfly species, 44 percent of which are indigenous. A farm in suburban Bulacan boasts of a colourful live butterfly collection. The Pulilan Butterfly Haven has opened its doors to the public, showcasing about 20 different species. Students from Manila enjoy themselves as they watch colourful butterflies fluttering around the Pulilan Butterfly Haven in suburban Bulacan. In less than an hour's drive from the city, people can observe and interact with these beautifully-winged creatures in this canopied garden. Farm owner Estelita Caleon-Aguirre built the haven because she wanted a place where students can learn about nature firsthand. Her visit to a butterfly garden last year inspired her to build this farm, because being around nature makes her feel good. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Oh, it's like as I said, you are in the garden of Eden, and you just forget about the world." SUPER CAPTION: Estelita Caleon-Aguirre, Owner, Pulilan Butterfly Haven The farm showcases about 20 different butterfly species. Due to its tropical climate, the Philippines can boast a total of one thousand -674 species of lepids, a stark contrast to Europe's 200 varieties per country. However, the great number of butterflies the Philippines has is highly dependent upon its natural landscape. Environmental carelessness and the destruction of Filipino rainforests could drastically reduce its population. SOUNDBITE: (English) "This diminishing range is brought about by continuous destruction of our forest. So the host plants of butterflies are rapidly vanishing. Thereby butterflies are also vanishing rapidly." SUPER CAPTION: Dr. Bonifacio Cayabyab, Lepidopterist Consultant, Pulilan Butterfly Haven Cayabyab says thanks to butterfly farms like this one, scientists are able to study the behaviour and life cycles of this particular insect group, and thereby learn how to conserve them. He adds that here in the Pulilan Butterfly Farm, there is an ecological balance and a healthy biodiversity - factors very important to the survival of butterflies. The presence of over a hundred kinds of plants here give the butterflies a variety of nectar sources, and places where to lay their eggs. It is also vital that here, they are shielded from pollution outside. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Because there is pollution, a lot of pollution in some other areas, even in the province. So we have to raise the plants in areas like this and raise the butterflies. And then we release, actually we release 10 per cent to 20 per cent of them." SUPER CAPTION: Estelita Caleon-Aguirre, Owner, Pulilan Butterfly Haven Since it opened last September, many students have visited the haven. Not only is it a learning experience for them, it is also an enjoyable and fascinating encounter with nature. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I feel great because I saw them like they're in their own environment." SUPER CAPTION: Alfred Jao, San Beda High School student SOUNDBITE: (English/Tagalog) "In Manila, it's full of traffic and pollution, here it's like you're free." SUPER CAPTION: Jimmy Lambides, San Beda High School student Cayabyab says the Pulilan Butterfly Haven is doing a great service to the people. He hopes that it will raise awareness on how man can ensure that the wondrous world of butterflies continues to exist. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/15bf7bc127fc37bcda202266fe8f423d Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork