Have you ever thought of adopting an Apo myna or a golden-crowned flying fox? Well, not the actual ones. How about taking an active role in wildlife conservation? It’s not that complicated.

Energy Development Corporation (EDC) made it easy for Filipinos to contribute in protecting and conserving threatened wildlife species, like the near-threatened Apo myna (Goodfellowia miranda) and the endangered golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus), through plush toys. It officially introduced “Diwa” the Apo myna and “Kali” the goldencrowned flying fox at Museo Sorsogon in Sorsogon City on June 29.

Under its EDC BINHIFlagship Species Initiative (FSI), the stuffed toy-making project was made possible in collaboration with ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., Karaw CraftVentures and community organizations Bacman Host Communities Multipurpose Cooperative and Seeds of Hope.

EDC, which funded the project, will also handle the marketing and promotion of the products aside from helping sustain the project. Karaw CraftVentures led the design and product development and provided one-on-one training to the communities.

Eduardo Jimenez, EDC Bacman corporate relations department head, said the initiative aims to “increase awareness and appreciation about wildlife conservation and educate its stakeholders about the wonders of nature.”

“We also intend to make significant impacts on the environment and communities by manufacturing these symbolic stuffed toys to spread awareness on the importance of wildlife conservation while supporting the two community organizations in Sorsogon province,” Jimenez added.

EDC BINHI-FSI program lead Abegail Gatdula noted: “The initiative targets to further mainstream biodiversity conservation and prioritize the protection efforts of identified highly important fauna and flora found at EDC’s project sites.”

You can support the communities by securing a flying fox for P800 and an Apo myna for P700. Each stuffed toy comes with a cloth bag and information card. For more information, follow EDC BINHI’s Facebook page @edcbinhi or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . (Story/Photos by: Jolly Jamoralin)