Barako Publishing

Barako Publishing Barako 77: The Story of Environmental Activism in San Juan, Batangas In 1978, Bulletin Today featured Horacio V. signed Presidential Decree No. 1586.

Barako Publishing documented the remarkable success story and inspiring legacy in Barako 77: The Story of Environmental Activism in San Juan, Batangas. Today, the town thrives on tourism, its primary industry, which provides both livelihood and purpose for its residents. This progress would not have been possible had the proposed "Bugang Lason" copper smelter and fertilizer complex been built. Mar

asigan, a native of San Juan and the leader of the Concerned Citizens of San Juan (CCSJ), in a Man of the Year article by Letty Jimenez Magsanoc entitled “Horacio V. Marasigan: Friend of the Earth, Sea, and Air.” While Mr. Marasigan and many of his CCSJ compatriots have since passed on, their story lives on. Today, his granddaughter Ciara Marasigan Serumgard and granddaughter-in-law Farrah Rodriguez—two proud Batangueñas and the founders of Barako Publishing—carry the torch as third-generation champions of San Juan, Batangas. Through their work, they bring this important piece of environmental history to life for present and future generations. Less than a year after the height of the environmental dispute, on June 11, 1978, then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. This law established the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) system, formalizing the State’s policy to maintain a rational and balanced approach between socio-economic development and environmental protection. Since then, all public and private entities have been required to comply with the EIS system for projects and undertakings that significantly affect the environment. Barako Publishing envisions an empowered citizenry in San Juan, Batangas. The founders strive to make this environmental history book accessible to students in San Juan and beyond—encouraging younger generations to think critically, embrace civic responsibility, and take purposeful action. When decision-making is rooted in science and education, communities are better equipped to build a meaningful legacy. The book is the result of rigorous research in collaboration with historians. It was brought to life visually by cinematographer Juan Miguel Marasigan and the late illustrator Bladimer Usi+ and crafted through the writing efforts of Katherine G. Lacson, Maria Karina Garilao, Vincent Bernabe and Felipe Horacio Marasigan III. Ciara and Farrah continue to engage with the media, work with partners, and organize events and complementary projects to build a thoughtful and intentional community that honors heritage and champions sustainability. Barako Publishing successfully lobbied for a landmark ordinance commemorating October 22 as "Araw ng Pagkakaisa para sa Kalikasan ng Bayan ng San Juan, Batangas". This date marks a pivotal but nearly forgotten chapter in the town’s environmental history, when nine out of ten residents voted against the smelter in a Diocesan Poll, echoing the findings of a University of the Philippines survey. The ordinance was officially approved on January 15, 2024, enshrining local heritage in policy.

🙋🏻‍♀️ Proud customer!
03/01/2026

🙋🏻‍♀️ Proud customer!

Maligayang kaarawan sa Boy Scouts of the Philippines Secretary General at Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee Member A...
02/01/2026

Maligayang kaarawan sa Boy Scouts of the Philippines Secretary General at Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee Member Atty. Cedrick G. Train!

Your solid support and trust have made the partnership between Barako Publishing and the Scouting Movement truly fruitful. Because of your leadership, we expanded our network, gained access to vital resources, and most meaningfully, successfully embedded the Barako legacy into the main module of the 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree.

Your role has been critical to the success of the Barako Alliance.

With gratitude and respect, we celebrate you today. Mabuhay!

Scouting in the Asia-Pacific Region

02/01/2026
02/01/2026
Dear Barako Advocate,In 2025, Barako Publishing turned memory into movement, and you were part of that work! Together, w...
31/12/2025

Dear Barako Advocate,

In 2025, Barako Publishing turned memory into movement, and you were part of that work! Together, we transformed stories into programs, values into partnerships, and remembrance into responsibility.

Below are key milestones from our shared journey this year:

January 28

Silver Anvil for Outstanding Public Relations Program in Arts & Culture / Heritage / Tourism for Barako Publishing at the Public Relations Society of the Philippines’ 60th Anvil Awards

February 1–2

Barako 77 Storytelling Session at Pasinaya, a collaboration between the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Provincial Government of Batangas

April 5

On the death anniversary of CCSJ grassroots movement leader Horacio Marasigan +, Department of Education San Juan Scouters received Scouting America gear donations.

Barako Camp ocular inspection and audit of the proposed Laiya property of the family of Cesar and Luz Marasigan +

June 9

Launch of the Barako Educational Short Course, designed for International Baccalaureate scholars in Fresno, California

July 12

Partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature–Philippines educators to deliver the landmark Barako Educational Module Workshop for public and private school teachers and Scouters in San Juan, Batangas

August 2

Turnover of Scouting America children’s book donations to Department of Education San Juan teachers and Scouters

August 23–25

Barako 77 History Lesson and Barako Trio Strategy Presentation at the 2025 Rover Scout Conference held in Mariano Marcos Memorial High School, Manila

October 25

Barako Camp at the Laiya highlands, in service of 200 Senior and Eagle Scouts—a collaboration with WWF-Philippines, Rover Circle XXIII, and Department of Education San Juan Scouters

Barako Scout Neckerchief reveal

December 7–12

Participation in the Lambayok Festival

December 13

Scouting America’s first Barako Scout Award Ceremony at the Eagle Court of Honor of Troop 95 (Sequoia Council), honoring Eagle Scout Jaspreet Kaberwal

December 14–21

Co-Lead, Climate Actors (Module 2) under Sanlibutan (One Planet) at the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree in Botolan, Zambales, in service of 23,000 international Scouts–continuing collaboration with WWF-Philippines and Rover Circle XXIII, joined by Department of Education Wood Badge–Heads of School from across the Philippines

Barako Scout Patch reveal

December 27

Turnover of Scouting America gear donations to the Department of Education San Juan Scouters

December 29

Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree Reunion of the Batangas Council, hosted by Barako Publishing at Villa Escudero

We are proud to announce the participation of Barako 77: The Story of Environmental Activism in San Juan, Batangas in the international workshop “Sea of Stories: Exploring Waves of Influence and Winds of Change in the Euro-Asian Nexus,” held on December 10 at the National Library of Portugal in Lisbon. This milestone was made possible through the efforts of Co-Editors and Co-Authors Katherine G. Lacson and Maria Karina Garilao.

The Barako Book. The Barako Ordinance. The . Memory becomes mandate through the Barako Trio. What San Juaneños protected in the past is entrusted to the present, and carried forward to the next generation. Memory, policy, and community converge.

Barakong Bagong Taon mula sa Barako Publishing!

Yours in legacy building,

Ciara Serumgard and Farrah Rodriguez

2024
31/12/2025

2024

Huling pawikan hatchling release ng 2025 sa Barangay Abung, San Juan, Batangas!
31/12/2025

Huling pawikan hatchling release ng 2025 sa Barangay Abung, San Juan, Batangas!

31/12/2025

Today’s print issue of Environment & Sustainability:

• The unseen toll of progress on the Verde Island Passage
• Rethinking sustainability in air travel
Read more:
• Lighting up the season with intention and commitment to ESG
• SM Prime backs women leaders advancing disaster risk reduction across Asia Pacific
• Energy Secretary visits Aboitiz Renewables' MakBan geo facility
• Supply chain program earns top ESG honors for community upliftment

Grab a copy of MANILA BULLETIN now!

31/12/2025

In the Asia-Pacific region, a key ambition for the Philippines is to become a hub for liquefied natural gas (LNG). This fuel is marketed as a "better" alternative to coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel driving climate change.

But this promise dimmed when a wave of LNG projects clustered in Batangas City beginning in 2023, drawn by what proponents described as “existing infrastructure networks and pipelines for natural gas,” said Gerry Arances, executive director of Center for Environment, Ecology, and Development. Years later, the impacts of these facilities continue to stain the waters of Verde Island Passage (VIP), the strait beside Batangas Bay long regarded as an underwater sanctuary.

Read the full article in the comments section below.

30/12/2025

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