To fly a drone is certainly exhilarating. To fly a drone for the first time is even more elating. To fly a drone with a raptor for a "videobomber" is beyond words. 

The magical and exciting feeling stems from being able to fly seemingly a small airplane. You have control over the speed. You can go slow --- or quick. You have command over the contraption to go up or down while enjoying the adrenaline rush. But while you are engrossed in manipulating the drone, what would be your reaction if something is tailing the device, soaring in might beside it, and is looking straight at the drone camera in its perplexed expression?

That surge of excitement and dash of surprise was felt by Jera May Mosqueda, the one who flew the drone for the first time and captured the attention of an eagle.

Maymay, as she is called fondly, was flying the drone over the island of Tambaliza in Concepcion town, Province of Iloilo. As she is a newbie in drone handling, she was operating the remote with gusto and glee. Until, a sea eagle flew nearby, followed the drone, and examined the device upclose in its charming curiosity.

“Nakita ko talaga ang ibon na nagpakita sa harap. Ako naman sa sobrang kaba, nataranta na ako. Binigay ko agad ang drone sa may-ari,” Maymay said.

In a review of the recording, it was confirmed that the bird was indeed an eagle. According to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), the bird is a white-breasted sea eagle based on its claws (talons) and plumage.

“First time kasi kahit saan medyo mailap yung ibon na agila. Ang Pan de Azucar naman talaga ay kilala na habitat ng white-breasted sea eagles,” said MENRO Officer Michelle Dequina of Concepcion, Iloilo.

A resident confirmed of the regular sighting of sea eagles in the island, but they are not known yet to commingle with human beings.

“Normal lang po iyon. Pero happy na [makita sila], minsan lang kasi lumalabas ang eagles,” Zeinniah Ameri, a resident of Concepcion, said.

Maymay’s post on her remarkable and extraordinary moment with an eagle went viral. It gained several reactions on how viewers were amazed and were entertained at the sight of a curious eagle.

Maymay said that after that memorable encounter, she spotted a sea eagle again. However, she could not figure out whether it was still the same bird.

“Na-amaze sila kasi nakuhanan ng drone shot ang ibon, [pero] hindi ako sure kung siya pa iyong nakita ko ulit,” Maymay said in concluding the interview.