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.

✅ Community-led, conservation-minded whale shark tourism in Donsol serves as a best-case model for San Juan’s vision of ...
22/10/2025

✅ Community-led, conservation-minded whale shark tourism in Donsol serves as a best-case model for San Juan’s vision of sustainable, heritage-based coastal programs!

In the place where I am now, I look back over my life. I look back at the world I’ve left behind. What message do I want...
22/10/2025

In the place where I am now, I look back over my life. I look back at the world I’ve left behind. What message do I want to leave? I want to make sure that you all understand that each and every one of you has a role to play. You may not know it, you may not find it, but your life matters, and you are here for a reason.

And I just hope that reason will become apparent as you live through your life. I want you to know that, whether or not you find that role that you’re supposed to play, your life does matter, and that every single day you live, you make a difference in the world. And you get to choose the difference that you make.

I want you to understand that we are part of the natural world. And even today, when the planet is dark, there still is hope. Don’t lose hope. If you lose hope, you become apathetic and do nothing. And if you want to save what is still beautiful in this world – if you want to save the planet for the future generations, your grandchildren, their grandchildren – then think about the actions you take each day.

Because, multiplied a million, a billion times, even small actions will make for great change. I want to – I just hope that you understand that this life on Planet Earth isn’t the end. I believe, and now I know, that there is life beyond death. That consciousness survives.

I can’t tell you, from where I am, secrets that are not mine to share. I can’t tell you what you will find when you leave Planet Earth. But I want you to know that your life on Planet Earth will make some difference in the kind of life you find after you die.

Above all, I want you to think about the fact that we are part – when we’re on Planet Earth – we are part of Mother Nature. We depend on Mother Nature for clean air, for water, for food, for clothing, for everything. And as we destroy one ecosystem after another, as we create worse climate change, worse loss of diversity, we have to do everything in our power to make the world a better place for the children alive today, and for those that will follow.

You have it in your power to make a difference. Don’t give up. There is a future for you. Do your best while you’re still on this beautiful Planet Earth that I look down upon from where I am now.

God bless you all.

Source: Netflix / Famous Last Words

22/10/2025

🇵🇭Araw ng Pagkakaisa para sa Kalikasan ng Bayan ng San Juan

One year ago today, the Municipality of San Juan, Batangas celebrated the first-ever Araw ng Pagkakaisa para sa Kalikasan ng Bayan ng San Juan, a milestone declared under Municipal Ordinance No. 002, Series of 2024.

Every October 22, we honor the courage and unity of San Juaneños who, in the 1970s, voted nine to one to protect their hometown from a proposed copper smelter and fertilizer complex through a historic diocesan poll. Their collective stand remains a shining example of peaceful, informed environmental activism, proving that even a small town can make a powerful difference.

This ordinance came to life through the advocacy of Barako Publishing, whose legacy project, Barako 77: The Story of Environmental Activism in San Juan, Batangas, chronicled this extraordinary grassroots movement and inspired a new generation to continue its mission.

🌊The Pioneer Celebration

In 2024, the first commemoration brought together over 400 scouts and scouters from the San Juan East and West Districts for a day camp entitled “Protektadong Kalikasan, Protektadong Kinabukasan” held at Barangay Imelda, the very site once targeted for the copper smelter.

The day was filled with lectures, discussions, hikes, mangrove planting, and coastal clean-ups, led by dedicated partners from the Department of Education, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO).

The event honored the legacy of the Concerned Citizens of San Juan (CCSJ) which was led by Horacio V. Marasigan+, the grandfather of Barako Publishing Publisher Ciara Marasigan Serumgard, and grandfather-in-law of Executive Director Farrah Rodriguez.

Today, there are whale shark and manta ray sightings, a living testament to what a united community can protect.

❤️‍🔥As we mark this anniversary, may we continue to live by the values that saved San Juan:
Curiosity. Critical Thinking. Care for Others. Courage.
For a protected environment is a protected future. Protektadong Kalikasan, Protektadong Kinabukasan.

Special thanks to WWF-PH's Dino Leoncarlo Calderon, Rover Circle XXIII, Vincent Niño Fabella, La Luz Beach Resort, Task Force Magtatanim, Lando Marasigan, Mark Anthony Carranza, WhiteHouse San Juan, Casa Amara, and Gemma Luz Corotan-Kolb for the generous support.

🛒Barako 77: The Story of Environmental Activism Stockists:
Barako Publishing barako.org

San Juan, Batangas:
Cafeno.Mnl Cafe

Metro Manila:
Ayala Museum
Yuchengco Museum
Solidaridad Bookshop
Baybayin Bookshop

Fully Booked branches below:
Rockwell Power Plant Mall
The Fort Bonifacio High Street
Ayala Malls Greenbelt
The Podium
Greenhills Promenade
Eastwood City Mall
SM Mall of Asia Official
Alabang Town Center
SM Sto. Tomas Batangas




Maligayang kaarawan sa DepEd San Juan West District Supervisor Dr. Sarah Saguin! Salamat po sa suporta!
20/10/2025

Maligayang kaarawan sa DepEd San Juan West District Supervisor Dr. Sarah Saguin! Salamat po sa suporta!


18/10/2025
Maligayang kaarawan, Marge Enriquez ng Philippine Daily Inquirer! 🎉Maraming salamat sa iyong tuloy-tuloy na suporta sa B...
17/10/2025

Maligayang kaarawan, Marge Enriquez ng Philippine Daily Inquirer! 🎉

Maraming salamat sa iyong tuloy-tuloy na suporta sa Bayan ng San Juan, Batangas mula noon hanggang ngayon!

Balikan natin ang ilan sa mga articles na isinulat niya tungkol sa ating :

🌊https://plus.inquirer.net/lifestyle/how-this-batangas-beach-town-is-mitigating-the-impact-of-tourism/

🌳https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/philippine-daily-inquirer-1109/20240703/282243785793937

❤️‍🔥https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/477326/retelling-success-story-of-phs-first-peaceful-eco-activism/amp/

🌍https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/230091/you-can-do-everything-in-san-juan/amp/

In this under-the-radar Batangas destination, hitting the beach is only the beginning.

17/10/2025
17/10/2025
Heto na ang Pawikan Release Season! See you there!
16/10/2025

Heto na ang Pawikan Release Season!

See you there!

Ipinababatid ng Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) San Juan, Batangas na magkakaroon ng release ng 146 Hawksbill na pawikan sa Barangay Imelda, San Juan, Batangas sa may Porto Gualberto.

📅 Date: October 16, 2025
📍 Location: Barangay Imelda, San Juan, Batangas (along Porto Gualberto)
⏰ Time: 4:30 PM

Inaanyayahan ang lahat na makiisa at saksihan ang pagbabalik ng mga pawikan sa kanilang natural na tahanan sa karagatan!

Para sa mga katanungan, mag-message lamang sa aming page. 📩

Architectural heritage of San Juan, Batangas in the big screen!Casa SoledadWhiteHouse San Juan
14/10/2025

Architectural heritage of San Juan, Batangas in the big screen!

Casa Soledad
WhiteHouse San Juan

Grace. Strength. Legacy.

In three days, witness Doña Aurora Quezon’s quiet strength unfold on the big screen. 💛

October 15, 2025. only in cinemas.

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