Tarlac Council Scouting Movement History
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Ten years after scouting was finally recognized in the Philippines through Commonwealth Act 111, the people of Tarlac who saw and experienced for themselves the importance of scouting program especially in the development of young people, sought the support of the provincial government to bring scouting closer to home. No less than Gen. Carlos P. Romulo, one of the seven charter members of the BSP brought forth the movement to the province by helping prepare documents needed to facilitate the approval of the charter.
On 31 December 1946, Tarlac Council was born, Prominent Lawyer Jose P Sibal served as the first Council Chairman while Miguel Cajulao served as the pioneering council executive. Since then, the name Tarlac Council started to get recognition both for scouting activities and program implementation. The council came to be known as one of the most active councils in the country. Over the years, it has joined activities sponsored by the region and the national office, aside from conducting its own pioneering activities. The council made a giant leap when it joined the 1st National Jamboree in Balara, Quezon in 1954. The delegation was headed by Chairman Sibal. It also made history when it sent hundreds of scouts and scouters to the 10th world Jamboree on July 17-24, 1959 on Mt. Makiling, Los Banos, Laguna. It was again headed by Chairman Sibal with ASST. Supt. Avelino Ferrer and Librado Santos as deputy contingent heads. Some of those who joined the historic global affair are now prominent businessmen and professionals, who became known not only in the province but in other parts of the country. They are Dr. Cesar E. Cachupin, Ruben Santos, Virgilio Cunanan, La Veme David, Jose Sibal Jr. and Juanito Buco. Tarlac, however, had its share of misfortune On the fateful day of July 28, Tarlac’s lone representative to the 11th World Jamboree in Marathon, Greece, died, together with the rest of the delegation when the plane that would have brought them to the Jamboree crashed off the sea of Bombay. Scout Benecio S. Tobias, broke his promise to return. His death, however, put the name of Tarlac Council in history with his courage and determination to represent not only the council but the entire country as well in the global scouting affair. Taking the lead in conducting colourful activities in Central Luzon, the council’s lay leaders, volunteers and council officers and members decided to conduct the 1st provincial Jamborette at Camp Fidela Rock, Poblacion, Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac on 19-22 February 1966. The success of the jamborette inspired the council to conduct another exciting affair with the holding of the 2nd Provincial Jamborette in San Clemente town a year later. The municipality played host to the affair through the leadership of then Mayor Vicente Gabriel. It was held in Bgy. Bamban The municipality of Tarlac played host to the 3rd Provincial Jamborette, It was held in Sitio Care, Tibag, Tarlac in 1968. The municipal Government, working hand in hand with volunteers and other lay leaders extended full support to ensure the success of the event. In 1969, the council enjoined the districts, secondary schools and private schools to hold their respective activities in preparation for the Council’s participation to the 6th Regional Jamborette hosted by the city of Dagupan. The council sent a good number of fully-prepared contingent to the event held in Bonuan Binloc on 17-22 March 1969. The holding of provincial jamborette momentarily stopped for five years, until it was revived with the holding of the 4th provincial jamborette at camp Sir Roland, San Agustin, Gerona, Tarlac in 1974. Realizing the importance of holding a jamborette, the little Mayor decided to revive the jamborette by hosting the jamborette. The provincial jamborette returned to Sta, Ignacia when it hosted the 4th Provincial Jamborette on 17-21 February 1976. The municipality of Concepcion, being one of the most active supporters of scouting, played host to the 6th Provincial Jamborette held at Camp Caridad, Jefmin, Concepcion, Tarlac on 8-12 November 1977.The event was well supported by all the local government of Concepcion, Scouters, members of Rover Circle No.1 and private citizens. The event gathered the most number of participants in six years of the Jamborette. With the success of six jamborettes and taking inspiration from other councils, Tarlac hosted the 1978 Regional Jamborette on 8-12 December 1978 at Camp Cervantes, San juan de Mata, Tarlac, Tarlac. Hundreds of scouts from the eight councils on central Luzon region, participated in days of fun and adventure. Gov. Eliodoro Castro, one of the active proponents in the province, served as the camp Chief.He was supported by four deputy camp chiefs namely: Dr. Robinson Ylagan of region III MECS,Mayor Emilio Magbag, Dr. Romulo abad and Mr. Paterno Antonio. One of the highlights of the event was a court of honor for citizen scouts. The much-anticipated 7th Provincial Jamborette was held at camp Cervantes on 8-12 december 1981. The camp was named in honor of the the family who donated the lot to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. In the same year, the council sent pocket delegation to the annual Corregidor camp held on Corregidor Island. On 1-5 December 1981, the municipality of Gerona hosted the 8th Provincial Jamborette at Camp Velasco, Padapada, Gerona, Tarlac. The event was considered as one of the most successful jamborettes in terms of the number of participants and the support it generated from the barangay levels. It was again fully supported by Mayor Rolando Sembrano. Not to be outdone, the municipality of Moncada, with the support of Mayor Wilfredo Macaraeg hosted the 9th Provincial Jamborette at Camp Cruz, baquero, Moncada, Tarlac from 6-10 December 1982. The affair was fully attended with full participation of the education sector. The council made history when it conducted the 10th Provincial Jamborette at Camp Caparas, Manggahan, San Vicente, Tarlac, Tarlac on 1-5 December 1983 in honor of the 40 years of scouting in the country With the theme: “Scouting: Legacy of the Founders,” the organizers put emphasis on the relevance of the scouting program to the lives of the youth of the province as it honoured the BSP founders for their contribution in bringing scouting closer to the Filipino hearts. Gerona,Tarlac played host to the 11th Provincial Jamborette on 2-5 Decemer 1984. This was the third time that the municipality, headed by Mayor Rolando Sembrano, hosted a bigger scouting activity. It was again held at Camp Velasco which has become the venue of some colourful scouting events. The council Chairman Dr. Romulo Abad serves as the Camp Chief. |