By: Lara Charmaine P. Lagorra
Beyond the tourist trails and rolling landscapes of Bohol, a quieter light takes flight in the province’s rich natural heritage—through the steady buzz of the native stingless bees.
These small pollinators quietly glide through the country’s forests, sustaining life within fragile ecosystems even as climate change threatens to disrupt nature’s balance.
To protect these bees, a Silliman University alumnus leads efforts through conservation, sustainability, and advocacy against pollution and environment degradation.
Dignity Lagunay’s passion for the environment first took shape as a boy scout, spending countless hours immersed in the world through nature adventures and activities.
This gave him firsthand appreciation for the beauty and value of the environment, realizing that humanity’s well-being is deeply connected to the health of our home. A beginning that led to an understanding that fueled his commitment to stand up for it.
An Active Environmental Catalyst
Upon entering Silliman University (SU), Lagunay pursued a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in marketing management as he believes the world needs more leaders who would not prioritize nature’s resources over money.
“I want to be a business leader with a conscience that addresses the needs of the people without compromising the future of our planet,” Lagunay says.
In his college journey, he served as co-chairperson of the SU Student Government (SUSG) Environment Committee from 2021 to 2023, sharing meaningful experiences that align with his mission for the environment.
“We were able to conduct plenty of educational and awareness campaigns, advocacy-building, and broaden our networks with many other environmental advocates and lawmakers,” he adds.
Some of these include organizing the Dumaguete Young Environmental Leaders Summit, organizing campaigns against the pyrolysis-gasification technology used by the Dumaguete government, and drafting the Silliman Climate Emergency Declaration.
Beyond campus, he was also an active member of DAKILA Dumaguete and served as a Council Member of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Youth and Students Sectoral Council as well as a member of the Youth for Just Transition Network.
Even after he graduated, his environmental passion continued to drive him forward.
A Sweet Victory
An opportunity arose with the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program Start-Up 2025 that offers young Filipinos competitive financial grants to launch innovative agribusiness ventures and empower future sustainable farmers.
Lagunay won first in the National YFC Startup Production Category and was honored as a recipient of the Social Innovation Award, along with a financial grant of ₱300,000 from the Department of Agriculture.
His winning project, titled “Tinibgan Bee Reserve,” was dedicated to stingless bee conservation in the province of Bohol.
“Stingless bees are pollinators that contribute so much to ecological health; [they] help maintain biodiversity and food security by supporting fruit and seed production,” Lagunay says.
He emphasized that in the Philippines, local bees are not as well known as European bees, which are more widely known for honey production.
“I wanted to highlight stingless bees because they are native and for the important role they have been playing for our environment ever since,” he adds.
In this victory, he also wanted to show that agriculture does not only mean to ensure food security but to create a pathway to economic empowerment and environmental sustainability.
Lagunay shared the journey was filled with challenges, where he had to balance the demands of the contest with his internship, met graduation deadlines, and managed law school applications while competing.
“There were so many moments that I didn’t want to push through with the competition because of other matters I was juggling with, “ he states.
He persevered and succeeded in the competition with encouragement and support from his family, especially highlighting the important role of his mother.
“It was really God’s grace that sustained me throughout the entire ordeal and I thank Him for this win. We really just have to trust the process and continue to show up,” Lagunay remarks.
Next Buzz for the Reserve
With a vision in mind, Lagunay plans to transform the bee reserve into a community-centered learning site where visitors can enjoy coffee and food while learning about stingless bees and their ecological importance.
“We’re hoping to be recognized as a site for conservation in the Bohol Island Geopark framework and potentially make a cooperative to make other members of the community beekeepers,” he states.
Looking forward, he plans to proceed according to the work and financial plan he submitted to the agriculture department and focus on continuing efforts to conserve stingless bees.
He also aims to continue his engraved advocacy by collaborating with other like-minded individuals in Bohol who also share the same passion for protecting the environment.
Every Action Counts
Currently, Lagunay is pursuing law at the Holy Name University, hoping to become a lawyer with a focus on the environment and agriculture.
To him, everyone has the ability to contribute to environmental protection in their own way, no matter the scale, and to keep hope alive by consistently doing what matters for the planet. No one should let others dismiss or belittle their contributions, as one effort will always make a difference.
Whether it’s picking up trash, raising awareness, organizing clean-ups, or advocating for policy change, making a difference starts with a simple commitment to contribute to a cause greater than yourself.
Every action counts to create a better and sustainable world for all and that change begins with the simple choices we make today.
