Marielle Racoma: Advocating for the Protection of All Species and Their Habitats 🇵🇭

Have you ever heard of the Philippine Eagle, the Green Peafowl, or the Rufous Hornbill? These are just a few of the many endangered species that inhabit the Philippines — a nation known as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, yet also one of the most threatened. With habitat loss, hunting, and climate change pushing many native species to the brink, conservation has never been more urgent. Stepping up to raise awareness and inspire action is Marielle Racoma, founder of Our Endangered PH, which she describes as a growing atlas of the country’s endangered species.

Being with animals and in nature had always given Marielle a comforting sense of solitude. She grew up surrounded by pets — dogs, chickens, and even a duck lovingly named Harmony. She laughs as she recalls being gently scolded by her mother for saying she preferred the company of animals over people.

Interestingly, it was her mother who deepened that very connection. She introduced Marielle to the beauty of the Philippines’ mountains, taking her on trips away from the city and into the outdoors, where she discovered how freeing and grounding it felt to be surrounded by nature.

Her love for wildlife was also shaped by conservation heroes like Steve Irwin and Bear Grylls, as well as the shows she watched on Animal Planet and National Geographic. Together, these early experiences nurtured her fascination with biodiversity and planted the seeds for her passion for protecting the natural world.

Marielle Racoma began Our Endangered PH as her thesis project at Ateneo de Manila University, where she studied Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology and Communications). The idea first came to her unexpectedly, while sitting at a salon with her mom, thinking about possible thesis topics. She realized that one of the main reasons species become endangered is because very few people even know they exist. Inspired by this, she pitched the idea to her teacher, despite doubts that the project might be “too big.” With encouragement from her mom to pursue what she truly believed in, she pressed on.

In January 2020, just days after the Taal Volcano eruption, she flew to Palawan to photograph endangered animals. Even when the pandemic disrupted academic life and Ateneo gave students the option to forgo finishing their thesis, she decided to continue. A few days after submission, her adviser nominated her work for an award—an early recognition of her commitment to conservation.

Through Our Endangered PH, Marielle has built meaningful campaigns to raise awareness, supported conservation centers like those in Palawan, and collaborated with mentors and advocates who became game changers in her journey. One fun and unexpected moment came during her work with Wildlife in Need in Subic, where she held a python and named her Swiss.

Though she humbly doesn’t call herself an expert, Marielle sees herself as a conservationist — someone using her platform to tell the stories of endangered species and to raise awareness to help protect them.

Marielle advocates for the protection of all species and their habitats, standing firmly against exploitation and wildlife trafficking. Guided by her belief that “awareness is the first step toward conservation,” she uses her photography to amplify their voices through social media, educational campaigns, and school engagements. She emphasizes that awareness should ultimately lead to action, whether individual or collective, and that every small step should have a significant impact. 

Working alongside her are young women volunteers and a social media manager who help expand campaigns and engage more youth in conservation. In one of her talks, she encouraged the students by saying, “your responsibility is to learn from the mistakes of past generations. You are as much the present as you are the future. Stay curious and intrigued by the world around you.” 

When asked how she balances her work as a conservationist alongside her other creative pursuits, she said, "I think it's so much greater than myself. And I believe that my purpose here on Earth is to extend all of myself towards animals and lend them my talent for the sake of conservation.” She adds, “I just do what I can because I genuinely love it. And even on days that I don't, I believe in the greater scheme of it, of what it stands for.”

Beyond her work in conservation, Marielle Racoma is also a model and singer-songwriter. For her, these identities naturally intersect with Our Endangered PH. She sees herself as a documenter and storyteller — someone deeply rooted in the art of capturing moments and turning them into narratives that resonate. Whether through photography, campaigns, or music, Marielle seeks to showcase both the beauty and the rawness of endangered species and the environments they live in.

Her passion for music and songwriting adds another dimension to her conservation work, allowing her to connect with people on an emotional level. By weaving creativity into advocacy, she creates stories that are not only informative but also deeply moving.

Marielle has big plans for the future. She hopes to create a pop-up book showcasing the Philippines’ endangered species, fulfill her dream of becoming a National Geographic explorer (with her first pitch focusing on Philippine pangolins, her favorite animal!), and grow Our Endangered PH into an organization that helps repopulate and rehabilitate the country’s biodiversity by working with experts to fast-track conservation efforts. She reflects, “I believe that my biggest achievement is yet to come. If, and only when, I'm able to save even one endangered species, then I'll say my work is done.”

When asked what message she had for young Asians who want to take action for the planet but lack resources or connections, Marielle encouraged them to start by asking why — why something should be done, why they should act, and then why not. She believes that once you have a clear purpose, the rest will follow. For those facing limitations, she encourages shifting perspectives and trusting that people are meant to tell their own stories and create their own art. “Inspiration is everywhere,” she said, “as long as you remain curious.”

Learn more about Our Endangered PH here!

Written by Ylinda Serrano and Manini De