Under the scorching sun, Mack Jevo Laygo Gacad picks up trash patiently along the shore of Lingayen. What started as a simple observation during a family walk has now become his daily mission to clean the beach.

“One time, nakita namin ‘yung nagkakalukor… nanghuhuli ng isda. Mas marami pa ‘yung nakuhang plastik kaysa sa isda,” Gacad said.

For the past two weeks, he has been spending two hours a day collecting trash. He has already gathered at least 20 sacks.

Gacad hopes his efforts will inspire more people to take action.

“Ginagawa ko po ito para maka-reach out sa ibang tao. Para ma-inspire sila. Para mabigyan sila ng impormasyon na ganito ang sitwasyon ng dagat. Ganito ang dapat gawin na aksyon. We should act now? Or suffer later?” he said.

His parents take pride in his advocacy.

“Unang-una, maganda kung malinis ang beach natin. Naumpisahan ni Jevo, dapat ipagpatuloy,” Randolph "Chito" Gacad, his father, said.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon na nabigyan siya ng kaalaman na magbukas ng kaisipan ng iba,” Liwayway Laygo-Gacad, his mother, said.

Gacad urges beachgoers to be more responsible. He said nature provides enjoyment and life—something worth protecting.

When asked how long he plans to continue, Gacad smiled simply and said he has found his inner peace and purpose.

He believes this is just the beginning of his bigger plans for the coastal area.