Shutterbugs invade Manila Zoo

About 200 professional and enthusiast photographers gathered at the Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden yesterday to help drum up support for the conservation of the animal park.

Karl Orteza, Pinoy Photographers Organization (PiPho) spokesman, said they have decided to hold PiPhol Zoofest 08 at the Manila Zoo in a bid to promote the park and to ensure that it would not be torn down.

Sometime last year, a city government official and a congressman suggested that a commercial center or a basketball coliseum be put up at the location of the decades-old zoo. Orteza said they do not support this proposal.

“Through the PiPhol Zoofest 08 we hope to promote the conservation of the Manila Zoo and reiterate its significance as a landmark in the city” and a favorite tourist spot, he said.

Orteza added that Canon, one of their main sponsors, announced plans to donate birds to the zoo and help improve the aviary section. 

Members of the photography club went around the 5.5-hectare park in search of “subjects” for their pictures. “We are not just looking for interesting pictures but we are looking for subjects that tells a story or an image of the Manila Zoo,” Orteza said.

Selected pictures will be turned over to zoo officials and used to liven up the surroundings and make it more attractive to visitors.

They also held an on-the-spot contest wherein they would select the pictures that show off the park’s best assets, particularly the animals.

Orteza said that with an average of 8,000 people trooping to the zoo during weekends, he is certain they would not run out of good subjects.

Winners of the contest would receive prizes from Canon, gift certificates from other sponsors, and be entitled to attend a seminar at the Philippine Center for Creative Imaging.