2024 Barako Camp

San Juan, Batangas — The Municipality celebrated the first ever Araw ng Pagkakaisa para sa Kalikasan ng Bayan ng San Juan. Municipal Ordinance No. 002, Series of 2024 proclaims that every October 22 will commemorate when nine out of ten San Juan residents voted to protect their town from the construction of a pollutive copper smelter and fertilizer complex in a diocesan poll in the seventies. Barako Publishing successfully lobbied for the ordinance in 2023 as it produced and published the legacy book entitled Barako 77: The Story of Environmental Activism in San Juan, Batangas in 2024.

In partnership with the Department of Education, The Boy Scouts of the Philippines, and the Municipal Environment and National Resources Office, Barako Publishing hosted over 400 scouts and scouters from the San Juan East and West district public schools in “Protektadong Kalikasan, Protektadong Kinabukasan” a day camporee at Barangay Imelda, the location where a bugang lason copper smelter was set to be constructed. The communications campaign by the brave Concerned Citizens of San Juan was led by Horacio V. Marasigan, the grandfather of Barako Publishing Publisher Ciara Marasigan Serumgard and the grandfather-in-law of Barako Publishing Executive Director Farrah Rodriguez. Marasigan and Rodriguez take inspiration from the example of their grandfather. “Once you get the teachers on your side, the chances are you will get the students on your side. Then get outside attention and support.” Horacio V. Marasigan is quoted by Michael T. Malloy in his article for the Asian Wall Street Journal on November 3, 1977. Present day sightings of whale sharks and manta rays in Barangay Imelda make a full circle for the story.

A lecture, discussion, hike, mangrove tree planting, and coastal clean-up took place. Speakers were  Executive Barako Publishing Director Farrah Rodriguez, World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines Educator Dino Calderon, Supervisor of the Department of Education San Juan West District Sarah Saguin, Supervisor of the Department of Education San Juan East District Ellienor Peña, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Noelito Pasco, and BSP Coordinator Secondary San Juan East District Elmer Samarita. Founders of Task Force Magtatanim Lando Marasigan and Mark Carranza emphasized the importance of reforestation and Batangas Scuba Academy instructor Marivic Maramot advocated for marine conservation as San Juan is in the Verde Island Passage, the center of the center of marine biodiversity. Scouters Rose Luistro, Ma. Theresa Macalalad and Jay Cudiamat were the Masters of Ceremony. Cafeño.MNL Café provided adobo flakes rice meals wrapped in banana leaves. Vincent Niño Fabella and the rest of BSP Rover Circle XXIII drummed up the enthusiasm and scout spirit of the youth in the midst of Typhoon Kristine.

The objectives of this first commemoration were to educate the youth about San Juan’s rich biodiversity and natural resources, teach the history of San Juan with an emphasis on its environmental activism legacy, empower through the Barako values of pagiging mausisa (curiosity), masusi sa pagsusuri (critical thinking), malasakit sa kapwa (care for others), and lakas ng loob (courage), create a new generation of eco champions for San Juan, Batangas, and encourage the scouting culture and spirit in the town. 

“Just like the CCSJ, Barako Publishing is a grassroots movement too. We are honored to deliver San Juan’s history book, a celebration of empowerment rooted in policy, and a strong community of supporters, the #BarakoAlliance. My family is deeply grateful for the gift of scouting and through this commemoration, I want to build the esteem and protect the future of our San Juaneño youth through a love for the outdoors, values education, and practical life skills–the scouting adventure.” BSA Scouter and Publisher Ciara Marasigan Serumgard is thankful for the milestones. Executive Director Farrah Rodriguez hinted at a BSP adventure concept specifically for environmental conservation work for San Juan in the future. A tree that is native to the town will be featured in the patch earned.

BSP SJ DepEd Scouter Herbert Cruz shared “Thank you so much for the great experience that you shared with us and our scouts. Hindi po mailalarawan ang kanilang kasiyahan sa pambihirang karanasan.”

Sr. Maria Aida Magtibay Velasquez, O.S.B. who ran the diocesan poll in October 22, 1977, congratulated the Barako team, “There are very few original places left now in Batangas. Take care of them very well so that the other young ones can also see San Juan. Congratulations to all of you who made the book. You still have a San Juan, Batangas to keep for your children and your grandchildren.”

National scientist and Chief Mangrove Scientific Advisor of the Zoological Society of London Dr. Jurgenne Primavera commends the organizers of Araw ng Pagkakaisa para sa Kalikasan ng Bayan ng San Juan for commemorating the incredible struggles of the people of San Juan. “To respect all life and preserve it in all its fullness–including the air we breathe and the water we drink and the plants and animals, and the trees and forests, rivers and seas, we must be like Boy Scouts who try their utmost to live the Scout Oath and follow the Scout Laws.”

Barako Publishing continues to collaborate with WWF-PH on a values-based educational module to teach Barako 77 to educators and students.

Special thanks to our donors La Luz Dive Camp, Casa Amara, and the White House San Juan for their generosity.