2025 Barako Camp

San Juan, Batangas — October 25, 2025. Over 200 Scouts and Scouters from the Department of Education (DepEd) San Juan East and West Districts and Batangas Eastern Colleges gathered for Barako Camp 2025, held in celebration of Municipal Ordinance No. 002, Series of 2024 Araw ng Pagkakaisa para sa Kalikasan ng Bayan ng San Juan. 

Approved by the local government in 2024—the year Barako Publishing launched its multi-awarded Barako 77: The Story of Environmental Activism in San Juan, Batangas—the ordinance institutionalizes the town’s commitment to heritage preservation, values education, and environmental conservation. 

Organized by the Barako Alliance—composed of Barako Publishing, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), the Department of Education – San Juan, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines – Batangas Council and Rover Circle XXIII, Task Force Magtatanim (TFM), and the World Wide Fund for Nature – Philippines (WWF-PH), the Barako Camp took place at Wenceslao Llana Elementary School and the Laiya campsite of the family of the late Cesar V. Marasigan, a member of the Concerned Citizens of San Juan.

Araw ng Pagkakaisa para sa Kalikasan ng Bayan ng San Juan commemorates the historic 1977 Diocesan Poll led by the Archdiocese of Lipa where nine out of ten San Juaneño residents opposed the pollutive copper smelter and fertilizer complex project in Barangays Imelda and Nagsaulay. The campaign of the Concerned Citizens of San Juan (CCSJ) stands as one of the earliest and most successful examples of community-led environmental action in the Philippines.

The Barako Camp aims to (1) educate the youth about San Juan’s biodiversity, (2) teach San Juan history lessons with emphasis on its environmental activism legacy, (3) highlight that the Barako Values of San Juaneños in 1977 are timeless and relevant, (4) align with WWF’s One Planet Lifestyle-culture and UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and (5) empower and create a new generation of eco-champions for San Juan through the Barako Scout program. The Barako Camp blends local history, values education, sustainability, and civic action to inspire present and future generations of San Juan leaders.

During the Barako Camp, inspirational messages were delivered by BSP Acting Secretary General Atty. Cedrick Train, BSP Batangas Council Scout Executive Edgar Allan Baleros, DepEd San Juan East District Supervisor Dr. Ellienor Peña, and MENRO Chief Mr. Noelito Pasco. Barako Publishing Executive Director Farrah Rodriguez discussed the lessons and values of Barako 77. Together with Task Force Magtatanim (TFM) Founder Mark Anthony Carranza, she explained the Barako Scout Neckerchief symbols. World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-PH) Educator Dino Calderon spoke about the impact of a One Planet Lifestyle-Culture to biodiversity. Rover Circle XXIII Institutional Head Vincent Fabella and his team, together with Task Force Magtatanim, led the Scout Skills modules which included Survival Cooking, Commando River Crossing, Backpacking and Leave No Trace. La Luz Beach Resort ran the Outdoor Scout Games: Obstacle Course, Ball Balance, and Tug of War.

The Barako Scout Neckerchief is a design collaboration of Barako Publishing and Task Force Magtatanim. It is inspired by the endemic Philippine Teak / Malabayabas. The neckerchief was also crafted with Habing Ibaan, a traditional Batangueño weave by the SM Sunrise Weaving Association of Ibaan nanays and fellow Dangal ng Batangan 2024 Awardees of Barako Publishing. The triangle represents the Barako Trio composed of the Barako 77 book, the Barako ordinance: Araw ng Pagkakaisa para sa Kalikasan ng Bayan ng San Juan, and the Barako Alliance. The six petals at the tip of the Barako Trio represent the Barako Alliance: Barako Publishing, DepEd, MENRO, BSP & Rover Circle XXIII, Task Force Magtatanim, and WWF-Philippines. The golden yellow color of the Malabayabas stamen symbolizes Barako Values—Curiosity / Mausisa, Critical Thinking / Masusi sa Pagsusuri, Care for Others / Malasakit sa Kapwa, and Courage / Lakas ng Loob. 

“Since the launch of the book and the effectivity of the municipal ordinance in 2024, we continue to be grateful to the Barako Alliance for coming together for Barako Camp. Seeing our Scouts and Scout Leaders disconnect from their gadgets and have fun while learning and reflecting on the Scout Law and the Barako values is the best way to celebrate Araw ng Pagkakaisa para sa Kalikasan, as well as Scouting Month (October) and the DepEd Wellness Break (October 27-30), I think! Making memories like Barako Camp, in nature, in one’s hometown, will deepen our relationship with our town San Juan, and make us genuine carers of it.” shares Farrah Rodriguez, Executive Director of Barako Publishing.

Barako Publishing Publisher, Scouting America Scouter, and Barako Camp Organizer Ciara Marasigan Serumgard emphasizes the importance of adopting the Symbolic Framework of the Scout Method for the Barako Scout Program as a means to preserve the rich history and legacy of San Juan, Batangas. According to Serumgard, the framework serves as “a structure of themes, symbols, stories, and ceremonies that helps young people develop a unique identity, foster a sense of belonging, and understand the movement’s values and purpose.”