Carrying the torch for Mang Zac

By JUNEP OCAMPO

A Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, he is known as the ‘father and dean of agriculture journalism.’ His work was his mission.

Among agriculture journalists in the Philippines, no name resonates more deeply than Zacarias “Zac” Bolong Sarian’s. 

A Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, he is known as the “father and dean of agriculture journalism.”His work was his mission. He championed farmers, fishers, and agripreneurs, making their struggles and triumphs not only visible but also valuable.

Early this year, when I became the Agriculture editor of Manila Bulletin, I found myself inheriting the legacy of a man I used to read but had never met. The weight of his reputation was both inspiring and intimidating. How could I ever live up to someone who had spent a lifetime perfecting this craft?

Unlike Mang Zac, my journey into agriculture was far from intentional. My wife, Cel, is the true plant enthusiast in our family. My career had revolved around motoring journalism and corporate PR. Yet here I was, tasked with steering a publication once helmed by a legend.

This is not my story. It is a story about Mang Zac, pieced together from anecdotes, memories, and lessons that now serve as my guide. It is a story about how his work made life better for all of us.

The many faces of Zac Sarian

People who knew Mang Zac described him as humble, focused, and passionate. My layout artist, a veteran with nearly 30 years in the company, recalled his unshakable discipline. 

“He would come to the office after his coverages, write his articles, and submit them. He didn’t waste time.”

A seed company driver from Bulacan shared stories of driving him to events. “He treated everyone with kindness, whether you were a farmer or a CEO,” he said.

In Leyte, a lawyer-turned-farmer fondly remembered visiting Mang Zac’s home in Teresa, Rizal, to buy mango seedlings. “He lived the principles he wrote about,” the farmer said.

These stories were more than anecdotes; they spoke volumes about a man whose life was fully integrated with his work.

Lessons from an unlikely mentor

As I navigated my new role, I turned to the words Mang Zac himself left behind. A Google Scholar search yielded an article he wrote for the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center’s journal. It soon became my guide.

Mang Zac believed that agriculture journalism was not just about reporting but about empowering people.

“Development is what people do to themselves, rather than what is done to them. For this to happen, they must be well-informed,” he said.

He outlined three principles for agriculture journalists:

1. Provide relevant information. Offer insights that help people make informed decisions.

2. Promote participation. Encourage readers to take an active role in their own development.

3. Focus on impact. Tailor content to guide people toward meaningful change.

These were not just principles for journalism; they were principles for life.

The craft of writing about agriculture

One of my insecurities was whether I could write compelling stories about a field I was still learning. Reading Mang Zac’s advice helped ease my fears.

He emphasized credibility above all.

“Accuracy is non-negotiable,” he said. “If a farmer reads your article and follows your advice, your words could impact their livelihood—or ruin it.”

He also encouraged dramatization. “Agriculture may not be as thrilling as sports or showbiz, but it has its own drama,” he said. He gave an example: writing about sex reversal in tilapia, transforming a dry topic into something fascinating.

For Mang Zac, storytelling was an art. He advised focusing on one interesting aspect of a topic, using specific figures to make stories believable. “Don’t just say a papaya farm is profitable. Tell them how much a farmer earned and how.”

Finding my own voice

In the past 11 months, I’ve been trying to follow Mang Zac’s roadmap. I wrote about farmers who overcame challenges, agripreneurs who found success in unlikely ventures, and technologies that promise a better future for agriculture.

People have told me that Agriculture magazine has become more engaging. Yet, I often feel a lingering doubt. How I wish Mang Zac were here to guide me.

I imagine him critiquing my drafts, pointing out where I could add more concrete data, or better dramatize a technical subject. I wonder if he would approve of the stories I choose to tell.

Keeping the flame alive

Aside from editing the Agriculture magazine, Mang Zac wrote an Agri Plain Talk column that ran for over two decades in Manila Bulletin, inspiring countless farmers and hobbyists. His words extended far beyond the pages of the newspaper, finding homes in The Philippine Panorama, Liwayway, and Bannawag.

Dec. 7, 2024 marks the fourth anniversary of his passing, and I am reminded of the void he left behind, not to mention the responsibility I now carry.

I can never write like Mang Zac. But I can strive to honor his legacy by staying true to the principles he lived by: To write with purpose, to empower through information, and to tell the stories that matter.

A Promise to the readers

This feature is more than just a tribute. It is a promise.

To the readers of Agriculture magazine, I will do my best to ensure that the magazine continues to be a source of inspiration and practical knowledge.

To the farmers, fishers, and agripreneurs who are the backbone of this nation, your stories deserve to be told with respect and care.

And to Mang Zac, whose spirit guides me every day, thank you for teaching me that agriculture journalism is more than just a job but a calling.

The seeds you planted in your lifetime continue to bear fruit, not just in the farms you wrote about but in the hearts of the people you inspired.

Now, it is my turn to cultivate this seed.