Barako Publishing's advocacy is to document this success story, the legacy of the people of San Juan, Batangas. Today, the town enjoys the fruits of tourism, the main industry that gives livelihood and purpose for the people of San Juan. It would never have been possible if there was a Bugang Lason copper smelter and fertilizer complex. Bulletin Today once featured the San Juan native and leader o
f CCSJ in its 1978 Man of the Year article by Letty Jimenez Magsanoc entitled "Horacio V. Marasigan and a number of his Concerned Citizens of San Juan, Batangas compatriots have passed on, their story, their legacy, lives on as his granddaughter Ciara Marasigan Serumgard, and granddaughter-in-law Farrah Rodriguez, the two Batangueñas behind Barako Publishing, third generation champions of San Juan, Batangas, finally bring this piece of history to life for today and future generations to come. In less than a year after the environmental dispute, on June 11, 1978, then President Marcos Sr. signed Presidential Decree No. 1586, establishing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) system as a policy of the State to attain and maintain a rational and orderly balance between socio-economic growth and environmental protection. Then and now, as mandated by law, all entities public and private, must comply with the EIS for every proposed project and
undertaking which significantly affect the quality of the environment. Barako Publishing’s vision is to empower the citizenry of San Juan, Batangas. These Batangueñas seek to produce, publish, and provide this environmental history book to students in the town of San Juan, Batangas and beyond to teach younger generations to think critically and identify as citizens who can self-determine and act with agency. When decision-making is guided by science and education, a citizenry is able to create a better community and leave an impactful legacy. History has critical lessons for the present and future
generations. Ciara Marasigan Serumgard and Farrah Rodriguez have joined historians in locking down ironclad research, worked closely with the late illustrator Bladimer Usi+ to be able to present this reference material in an engaging manner, collaborated on the writing task of Katherine G. Lacson, Maria Karina Garilao and Vincent Bernabe. They continue to meet with press and partners, and organize events and complementary projects to develop an enlightened and intentional community that values heritage and sustainability. The team lobbied for the ordinance commemorating every October 22 as Araw ng Pagkakaisa para sa Kalikasan ng Bayan ng San Juan, Batangas. This was a controversial but an almost forgotten chapter in San Juan’s environmental history when nine out of ten residents voted against the smelter in a the Diocesan Poll confirming the results of the University of the Philippines survey. Last January 15, 2024, the ordinance was approved. The Barako Publishing logo is a symbol of Batangueño heritage and was inspired by the Concerned Citizens of San Juan. Liberica beans fill the scales to illustrate how Barako is the great equalizer. Barako Publishing aims to redefine the term "barako" as a person whose courage is rooted in education and empowerment.
