Rare Philippines

24/08/2026

"Change happens when we show up.” 💙

Meet Nicole Yamit, a BS Fisheries student from Mindanao State University–Naawan and one of Rare Philippines’ 2026 interns.

For Nicole, the internship was filled with moments that brought learning beyond the classroom. Traveling to different coastal areas allowed her to see their beauty firsthand, while joining the citizen science training gave her the opportunity to turn classroom lessons into hands-on learning in the field.

She also met people from different LGUs, learned from their experiences, and found encouragement in the support and care she received throughout the journey.

But her biggest lesson was simple: our oceans do not need perfect people. They need people who care enough to start.

That is why her message to fellow youth is a reminder that the future of our coasts is in our hands. Every conversation, every choice, and every time we choose the environment over convenience, it matters. Let’s learn together, act together, and protect our oceans together.

From Campus to Coast continues as we share the stories, lessons, and reflections of Rare Philippines’ 2026 interns from their journey beyond the classroom. Follow the series for the next story from the field. 🌊



🎥 This video was filmed and edited by Nicole Yamit as part of her internship with Rare Philippines.

22/08/2026

“Conservation is not just about protecting our marine ecosystems. It’s also about protecting the people and communities that depend on them.” 💙

Meet Rhecel Licera, a third-year BS Fisheries student from Mindanao State University–Naawan and one of Rare Philippines’ 2026 interns.

During her internship, Rhecel visited coastal communities, met with local people, and listened to their stories—experiences that helped her see conservation from a broader perspective. She also took part in citizen science training and ecosystem assessments, gaining new skills and a deeper understanding of ecosystem conservation.

But beyond the fieldwork and new skills, the people she met along the way made the journey especially meaningful. Their support and encouragement created an environment where she felt welcomed and inspired to keep learning.

Her story reminds us that conservation is built not only through knowledge and action, but also through the people and relationships that make the work possible.

From Campus to Coast continues with more stories, lessons, and reflections from Rare Philippines’ 2026 interns. Follow the series for the next story from the field. 🌊



🎥 This video was filmed and edited by Rhecel Licera as part of her internship with Rare Philippines.

20/08/2026

“Fisheries conservation isn’t just about protecting marine resources. It’s about working together with communities to create lasting change.” 💙

Meet Carmela Pastor, a BS Fisheries student from Mindanao State University–Naawan and one of Rare Philippines’ 2026 interns.

During her internship, Carmela gained experience across different aspects of community-based conservation—from collecting means of verification across different municipalities to participating in a citizen science stream and creating a registration campaign.

These experiences gave her a deeper understanding of how conservation extends beyond protecting marine resources. Lasting change happens when communities are part of the work, and when people bring their skills, knowledge, and commitment together.

That’s why her message to fellow youth is simple: don’t wait for someone else to make a difference. Get involved. Keep learning. And use your talents to protect our oceans and coastal communities.

Because every action counts.

From Campus to Coast continues with another intern story from the field. Follow the series as we share more stories, lessons, and reflections from Rare Philippines’ 2026 interns throughout August.



🎥 This video was filmed and edited by Carmela Pastor as part of her internship with Rare Philippines.

18/08/2026

“Conservation is not something we do alone. It takes teamwork, commitment, and community participation.” 💙

Meet Lovern Madula, a BS Fisheries student from Mindanao State University–Naawan and one of Rare Philippines’ **2026 interns**.

During her internship, Lovern took part in transect walks, mangrove assessments, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Working alongside local communities gave her a closer look at coastal ecosystems and the importance of involving people in conservation efforts.

Her biggest lesson from the field was simple: conservation takes collective effort. Understanding coastal ecosystems is only part of the work; lasting conservation also depends on teamwork, commitment, and meaningful community participation.

That’s why her message to fellow youth is: “Don’t be afraid to get involved.” Every action, no matter how small, can contribute to protecting our oceans and building a better future.

From Campus to Coast continues with another intern story from the field. Follow the series as we share more stories, lessons, and reflections from Rare Philippines’ 2026 interns throughout August.



*🎥 This video was filmed and edited by Laber Timadullah as part of his internship with Rare Philippines.*

15/08/2026

“We cannot protect our future if we neglect the very waters that sustain it.”

For Honey Pie Tagon, Miss Southern Leyte 2026, protecting the ocean means protecting the people and communities whose lives are intertwined with it.

As a young voice from Southern Leyte, Honey calls on her fellow youth to see fisheries for what it truly is: a lifeline for food, livelihoods, communities, and the future.

Her message reflects the work being carried out through the PALMDev Alliance, where local governments, fisherfolk organizations, communities, and development partners work together to strengthen sustainable fisheries and coastal governance across Southern Leyte.

But the work does not stop with programs and partnerships. Young people have a role to play today. Every sustainable choice, coastal cleanup joined, mangrove planted, and effort to support local fishers can contribute to healthier oceans and stronger coastal communities.

As Honey puts it: “We are not just the leaders of tomorrow. We are changemakers of today.”

To the youth: learn about our oceans, support our local fishers, speak up for sustainable fisheries, and inspire others to do the same.

Because the future of our oceans is shaped by what we choose to do today. 🌊💙

🎥 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘗𝘪𝘦 𝘛𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

14/08/2026

“Effective community work requires working with them, not just for them.” 💙

Meet Kristel Jane Parales, a BA Community Development student from the University of the Philippines Visayas and one of Rare Philippines’ 2026 interns.

During her internship, Kristel immersed herself in community work through field activities, empathy mapping, Most Significant Change (MSC) storytelling, and capacity development. Meeting and engaging with people in the municipalities of Lubang and Looc, Occidental Mindoro gave her a closer look at the realities, insights, and experiences that shape community work on the ground.

For Kristel, one lesson stood out: effective community work means working with communities, not simply working for them. Centering their insights and lived experiences is essential to understanding their realities and developing approaches that respond to their needs.

That’s why her message to her fellow youth is to volunteer, make a change, and be the voice of the silenced.

From Campus to Coast continues with another intern story from the field. Follow the series as we share more stories, lessons, and reflections from Rare Philippines’ 2026 interns throughout August.



🎥 This video was filmed and edited by Kristel Jane Parales as part of her internship with Rare Philippines.

13/08/2026

13/08/2026

Coastal leadership is gaining a stronger voice at the national level. 🌊

Congratulations to Mayor Alfredo Coro of Del Carmen in Siargao, a Coastal 500 member, on his appointment as Chairperson of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Special Committee on Coasts and Climates.

The new role creates an important platform to bring the priorities and realities of coastal municipalities into conversations on coastal governance and climate action.

As a Coastal 500 leader, Mayor Coro continues to demonstrate how local leadership can help advance stronger policies and collective action for communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on healthy coasts.

12/08/2026

Ngayong International Youth Day, ipinagdiriwang natin ang mga kabataang may malasakit, kaalaman, at pagkilos para sa karagatan. 💙

Kilalanin si Kristine Gere, isang BS Fisheries student mula sa Mindanao State University–Naawan at isang Kabataan para sa Karagatan.

Para sa mga komunidad na umaasa sa karagatan para sa pagkain at kabuhayan, ang kalusugan ng ating dagat ay mahalaga sa kanilang buhay, kabuhayan, at kinabukasan. Bilang kabataan, nakikita ni Kristine ang mahalagang papel na maaari niyang gampanan sa pangangalaga ng ating mga baybayin at karagatan.

Mula sa tamang pagtatapon ng basura at responsableng paggamit ng likas na yaman hanggang sa paghikayat sa iba na makiisa, ipinapakita niya na may puwang ang kabataan sa pangangalaga ng ating karagatan at ang pagkilos ay maaaring magsimula sa araw-araw na mga desisyon.

Kapag pinangalagaan natin ang karagatan, pinoprotektahan din natin ang pagkain, kabuhayan, at kinabukasan ng mga komunidad na umaasa rito.

Saludo kami sa kabataang patuloy na kumikilos para sa karagatan. Ang inyong tinig, kaalaman, at pagkilos ay mahalaga ngayon at sa mga susunod na henerasyon. 💙

12/08/2026

Coastal 500 members are turning network connections into local action. 🌊🤝

Over the past weeks, we reconnected with Coastal 500 members through municipal meetings and local engagements in Bindoy, Ayungon, Tayasan, Manjuyod, La Libertad, and Guihulngan in Negros Oriental, and Brooke’s Point and Rizal in Southern Palawan.

The conversations gave local leaders and partners space to share what is happening in their communities, surface local priorities, and identify where the network can better support their work on sustainable fisheries and coastal governance.

Two of these engagements also led to new Coastal 500 pledges from La Libertad and Brooke’s Point, expanding the network’s growing community of local leaders committed to strengthening their coastal communities.

These visits help keep the Coastal 500 network grounded in the priorities of the communities its members serve: creating more opportunities to connect local leadership, share solutions, and turn shared commitments into action for our coasts.