At sunrise, the shoreline was already alive with movement. Students in matching shirts, divers in wetsuits, families carrying sacks, and young professionals swapping sneakers for gloves all gathered by the water’s edge. The morning air was thick with anticipation—and purpose. This wasn’t just another beach day. It was a mission to reclaim the sea.
From Batangas to the Nation
What began as a small coastal cleanup in Batangas in 2023 has grown into one of the country’s most inspiring environmental efforts. Now in its third year, Century Tuna’s Saving Our Seas campaign gathered more than 8,200 volunteers across six sites nationwide—Manila, Batangas, Subic, Davao, Zamboanga, and General Santos City—all driven by a shared goal: cleaner seas and healthier oceans.
The spark came earlier in Manila, during the fan meet of brand ambassador Park Seo Joon, where fans donated plastic bottles to support the cause. That symbolic gesture rippled outward, fueling a nationwide call to action.
Turning Ripples Into Waves
The results were powerful. Volunteers collected 1,386 kilograms of plastic waste—nearly four times more than last year.
But what stood out wasn’t only the volume, but the diversity of participants. Local government units, the Philippine Marine Corps, divers’ groups like Porto Novo, The Asri, and Pier Uno, Century Tuna Superbods, CPFI employees, and everyday citizens all worked side by side.
“Our product comes from the sea, and without healthy oceans, we have nothing.” — Carlo Endaya, Vice President and General Manager, Century Pacific Food Inc.
From Plastic to Possibility
That long-term vision is clearest in places like Mabini, Batangas. Here, Century Tuna’s partnership with Friends of HOPE’s Aling Tindera program turns collected plastics into income for local communities.
“Century Tuna is one of HOPE’s biggest sponsors, and their support creates real impact,” said Caroline Beloso, HOPE’s Field Coordinator in Mabini. “With 29 active sites across resorts and communities, this partnership helps our agri-fishery sector while protecting the seas we depend on.”
A Growing Network of Allies
The campaign’s reach has expanded with the help of national partners: the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Public Services of Manila, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
Even lifestyle brands such as Shakey’s, Vita Coco, Beach Hut, and Peri-Peri joined in, proving that ocean protection is a cause that cuts across industries and communities.
Beyond the Numbers
In just three years, Saving Our Seas has collected over 100 metric tons of waste. Yet the true achievement lies in the community it has built—Filipinos from all walks of life discovering that protecting the ocean isn’t a solitary act, but a collective responsibility.
Because when thousands gather at dawn to clean a shoreline, they’re not just picking up plastic. They’re safeguarding livelihoods. They’re protecting biodiversity. And they’re ensuring that the seas remain abundant for generations to come.
With each campaign, Century Tuna shows that ocean conservation can be more than an obligation—it can be a movement of hope, resilience, and unity.
