July 1, 2026 · The Good Stories Movement celebrates Filipinos in environmental and humanitarian spaces, recognizing those whose stories are less often told. The 2026 edition champions individuals and communities across five categories in Water, Land, Air, Environmental Law & Eco-Governance, and People Culture & Advocacy.
This year’s honorees include Sustina Executive Director and Co-founder Anna Reyes, alongside special honorees like Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte for her work in eliminating plastic wasteLocal Climate & EcologyPlastic pollutionThe accumulation of synthetic plastic products in the environment, adversely impacting wildlife, habitats, and human populations.Read more in the Glossary →, foundation founder Allan Pineda Lindo—also known as APL.DE.AP.—for their 380 million reforestationLocal Climate & EcologyReforestationThe active replanting and ecological restoration of degraded forest lands. In carbon project development, its financial viability depends on long-term survival rates, native species selection, and the prevention of leakage, moving beyond superficial tree-planting metrics to verifiable ecosystem restoration.Read more in the Glossary → campaign, IP elder and land defender Datu Francisco Wali, and more.
“Environmental stewardship simply made sense from the angle of governance. We are asked to take care of the one home we have, and to think about the kind of future we are leaving for the next generation,” expressed Quezon City Mayor Belmonte.
Officially launched in 2017 under the leadership of Atty. Antonio Oposa Jr., the Good Stories Movement honors the landmark Oposa Case of 1993 that introduced the principle of “intergenerational responsibility.” This is the belief that the present generation has a legal duty to care for the environment with respect to the rights of future generations.
This year, the program’s theme focused on those who not only protect the future but also actively shape it. The Good Stories Movement chose its 2026 honorees in line with its theme of “Intergenerational Stewardship: The Future Begins with a Good Story,” shifting the focus to honoring change-makers who actively participate in making a better future.
The awarding was organized by Global Guardians of the SEA (Sea and Earth Advocates), a youth-led movement dedicated to the protection of the world’s oceans and the Earth’s life-support systems for this generation and all generations to come.
Stewards of Good Stories
A set of 35 honorees from diverse fields was recognized at the Good Stories Movement 2026, with corporate and government leaders, representatives from indigenous communitiesLocal Climate & EcologyIndigenous peoples & ancestral domainCommunities with continuous historical occupation of territories, recognized under the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA).Read more in the Glossary →, consultants, youth campaigners, biologists, free divers, and more. The honorees were awarded a Certificate of Global Gratitude and special tokens such as a plant and a dedicated book by Atty. Oposa.
Sustina Editorial Director Anna Reyes was named in the list, for her work in sustainability and conservation for more than a decade, including her work as a special advisor to the award-winning conservation site Masungi Georeserve.
The awards were presented by Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesPH Laws & FrameworksDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)The Philippine executive department managing forests, protected areas, mining permits, and pollution control. It is the primary regulatory counterparty for environmental compliance, natural capital valuation, and the issuance of permits governing resource extraction and land-use changes.Read more in the Glossary → (DENR) Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., and Atty. Antonio Oposa Jr.
