The story of Lokal Lab is one of local passion and shared purpose, championed by Siargao native Analyn Dulpina.
In 2015, nurse-turned-farmer Analyn founded Bayatakan Farm, Matin-ao’s first women’s farming association, to promote nature-based farming and food access.
Bayatakan Farm began with a dual dream: to support a women’s association and establish a sustainable farm that would empower the local community. As a first initiative, the farm actively participated in every event facilitated by the Department of Agriculture, demonstrating its commitment to showcasing its products and connecting with potential partners.
It was at one such exhibition that the founders of Bayatakan Farm first met Mark Pintucan and Iris Aroa. They shared a similar vision for empowerment sparked by the informal beginnings of Lokal Lab. This partnership led to the 2018 launch of Lokal Tabo, a vibrant market that became a crucial hub for farmers and artisans to connect, sell goods, and build a support network.
An immediate and strong connection was forged, rooted in a shared, sincere passion for community development. This meeting marked the beginning of a transformative partnership.
Mark and Iris provided unwavering support to the Burgos community.
Their collaboration led to the establishment of a “Tabo” market for local farmers, providing a vital platform for commerce. This initiative was soon followed by the creation of Lokal Lab, an NGO dedicated to broader community development. Through this partnership, Bayatakan Farm’s connections grew, leading to formal collaborations with various government organizations.
This strong partnership proved resilient, especially during times of adversity. Through the challenges of the pandemic and devastating typhoons, Mark and Iris stood firmly with the community, offering crucial support until Bayatakan Farm and its partners could recover and stand on their own feet.
Thanks to the opportunities created by this collaboration, Bayatakan Farm has since developed a robust and far-reaching network of farmers across the entire island, a testament to the power of dedicated partnership and shared vision.
Despite operating informally, the group was highly active. They self-funded cultural events, workshops, and Siargao’s first Fête de la Musique, driven by the belief that sustainability and community development are intertwined.
In 2019, they formalized as a registered non-profit, Lokal Lab Siargao Inc., and were joined by Kara Rosas, who helped expand their reach and partnerships.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Lokal Lab pivoted to focus on island food security. They also established PASALO, a youth-led journalism club to amplify local voices.
The true test came with Super Typhoon Odette in 2021. Lokal Lab mobilized a massive relief effort, leveraging its deep community ties to attract support. By 2024, they had successfully achieved their typhoon recovery goals—from distributing construction materials and providing meals to establishing a vocational school that equips the community with skills to rebuild stronger and more resiliently.
“For me, ‘being lokal’ is being mindful of our roots, which is preserving, promoting, and reinforcing Lumad’s culture and tradition. Lumad is the indigenous people of Mindanao in the Philippines—a non-Muslim, non-Christian group that has its own ancestral lands, cultures, languages, and belief systems,” Analyn shares.
“In history, the Lumad were one of the original settlers on the island, and because of that, we would like to preserve, promote, and reinforce the authentic culture and tradition of the group to the new generations, minimizing the effect of the meltdown of our culture and tradition due to the global influence of the tourists around the world on us,” she added.
The true measure of Lokal Lab’s work is visible in the strengthened local economy and the empowered network of farmers and entrepreneurs in Siargao. By providing essential structure and sustained support, the organization has become a cornerstone of the community’s long-term resilience.
