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Manila Bulletin devider Environment and Sustainability devider Connecting local roots and ocean literacy to build lasting sustainability

Connecting local roots and ocean literacy to build lasting sustainability

Published Jul 20, 2026 12:12 pm
The World Wide Fund for Nature–Philippines (WWF-PH), Barako Publishing, and the coastal Municipality of San Juan, Batangas, are advancing environmental education and youth empowerment through the Oceans of Change: Fostering a New Generation of Environmentally Conscious Ocean Leaders program, running from February to June 2026.
Part of a regional initiative spanning the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia, and funded by Dalio Philanthropies through WWF-Singapore, the program equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to address climate and ecological challenges.
Building on a strong partnership since 2024, WWF-PH and Barako Publishing integrate science, history, a love for nature, and Barako values to bridge learning and action. Together, they have developed localized modules, school tours, immersive experiences, and teachers’ workshops that connect environmental awareness and heritage preservation with meaningful community engagement.
A key highlight was the Oceans of Change: Youth Marine Leadership Camp held on April 22–23, 2026, which brought together 63 student leaders for a two-day immersive experience. Activities included a heritage tour of San Juan’s cultural landmarks — Museo Marasigan, The White House San Juan, and Obligar Pottery — as well as fieldwork in the seagrass and mangrove ecosystems of historic Barangay Imelda. The camp, held as an Earth Day commemoration, also marked the second publication anniversary of the multi-awarded book Barako 77: The Story of Environmental Activism in San Juan, Batangas, now part of the Library of Congress collection.
Guided by the themes “San Juan is My Home” and “San Juan is a Home of Heroes,” participants engaged in interactive sessions with WWF-PH Educator Dino Calderon, Barako Publishing Executive Director Farrah Rodriguez, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office Chief Noelito Pasco, and Task Force Magtatanim Citizen Scientist Mark Anthony Carranza. Honored guests included Barako 77 primary sources and Concerned Citizens of San Juan members Zaldy Marasigan and Rustico Manalo, who passed the torch to the next generation of youth leaders, sharing values, knowledge, and responsibility.
The youth leaders were encouraged to develop actionable project proposals from mangrove restoration, environmental watch programs, and sustainability campaigns.
To deepen the program’s impact, the Oceans of Change: Teacher Workshop, facilitated by WWF-PH’s Dino Calderon, Maye Padilla, and Barako Publishing’s Farrah Rodriguez on May 19 at El Jardin de Zaida, gathered educators from across the town. This competence-building initiative empowered educators with relevant knowledge, innovative teaching strategies, and practical tools to integrate environmental stewardship, sustainability, and Barako 77 history lessons into their classrooms.
This collaboration embodies a whole-community approach, engaging students, educators, local government, and civil society while creating pathways for mentorship, funding, and long-term impact. The #BarakoAlliance continues to build a lasting legacy by ensuring that its values endure through people, practice, and place, and not just memory.
Through this strengthened partnership, San Juan is emerging as a model for environmental action, where heritage, local pride, and global citizenship converge to protect its natural resources and communities.
The Araw ng Pagkakaisa para sa Kalikasan ng Bayan ng San Juan Barako Camps from past years were made possible through this partnership. WWF-PH and Barako Publishing joined the 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree International Service Team, where they collaborated with Rover Circle XXIII to deliver the Sanlibutan Climate Actors / Tagapagtanggol ng Kalikasan (One Planet / Sanlibutan) module to over 20,000 Scouts from around the world.

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WWF Philippines Barako Publishing San Juan Batangas
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