Lakbay ng Agila (Eagle’s Flight)

As a musician, I’ve always been fascinated by choral works derived from bird songs. From Clement Janequin’s masterful use of 15th- century French as onomatopoeic “bird sounds” in his Le Chant Des Oiseaux to Francisco Feliciano’s musical reimagining of an interaction between a sparrow and its hunter in Pamugun, the innate musicality of birds has inspired millennia of musical work.

In relation to this triumphant poem by Joey Vargas, it would be remiss not to mention that the Philippine eagle (a.k.a. the monkey- eating eagle) is, in fact, the Philippines’ national bird. You can distinguish it from other eagles by its distinct crown of brown and white plumage. And yes, it does feed on monkeys, particularly long-tailed macaques. Due to years of negligence and deforestation, Philippine eagles are considered critically endangered. Hunting and killing them is a criminal offense, punishable by law. This piece is dedicated to the conservation of our national bird.

Lakbayng Agila (Eagle’s Flight) was commissioned by Providence High School for the Providence Singers, under the direction of Marisa Bradfield. Providence High School is a learning community where compassion, service, dignity, and justice are at the heart of their mission. Like the eagle’s journey, their young people prepare for the majestic flight out into the world, always leading with empathy, strength, and love.