National Eagle Scouts Association of the Philippines

NESAPh First Acceptance Rites in Bulacan, February 24, 2018

Burdened by the need for a service organization to unite like-minded Eagle Scouts in Bulacan, Bro. Paolo R. Cruz approached Bro. Karl Lyel B. Lim for help and guidance in holding ceremonies for a new Brotherhood of Eagle Scouts. The initial ceremony was held in Calumpit, Bulacan on 24 February 2018, randomly inspired by different organizations’ ideals, practices, and traditions, producing the initial batch of thirty-four members.

Four days later, Bro. Paolo Cruz proposed that the group be called the National Eagle Scouts Association of the Philippines or NESAPh, the Premiere Honor Society of Eagle Scouts in the Philippines.

On March 14-29, 2018, Bro. Lyel and Bro. Paolo authored a new monitor and script for accepting new members, later called the NESAPh Acceptance Rites. On March 22, 2018, Bro. Lyel finalized the NESAPh's logo.

NESAPh Second Acceptance Rites in Rizal, November 24, 2019

From the success and progress of the latter events and seeing the need for a similar group being formed in his hometown, Bro. Lyel reached out to his friends from the now almost-defunct association of Eagle Scouts. And so, during the Association of Top Achiever Scouts Gathering held at the Philippine International Convention Center on 18 October 2019, this reached-out group of Eagle Scouts finalized plans for the second ceremony to be held in San Mateo, Rizal on 24 November 2019. Armed with the success and the promise of bigger and better things, NESAPh set forth to consolidate Eagle Scouts from all over the Philippines under its banner—meanwhile, Bro. Jacobb Josephson Caones called for a Gathering of Eagle Scouts in his hometown of Quezon City on 10 February 2019, which proved to be a dismal failure because he realized that working with the old Eagle groups would be futile. All efforts would then be poured into this new energetic group of dynamic Eagle Scouts.

NESAPh Third Acceptance Rites in Manila

The third ritual would then be held in Intramuros, which was the first time NESAPh accepted female Eagle Scouts as members, followed by the fourth ritual in Chiang Kai Shek College, Manila, which would also be the commemoration of the 11th Anniversary of an Eagle Scout Assembly in Olongapo City. NESAPh further spread its wings by holding the 5th Rituals in Tacloban City and successive rituals in the province of Camarines Sur, Bacolod City, Cabanatuan City, and the City of Cagayan de Oro from September to November 2019－thus proving that they are a National Association.

After the successful travels of NESAPh, accomplishing its membership growth, the Association had its 1st General Assembly and Conclave on 28 February – 1 March 2020 held in Bulacan which became an avenue to receive almost one hundred Eagle Scouts from Laoag City to Cotabato City, ratified the Association's Constitution and By-Laws, elect the new set of National Officers, and accepted new members who came from the different islands of the Philippine archipelago.

The new National Officers, also known as the National Executive Committee, were caught off-guarded by the arrival of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Still, NESAPh continued pursuing its vision and mission through community service projects, conducting relevant webinars, maximizing the available technology, and innovating ways to propagate the ideals of Scouting. The first virtual acceptance rites were held, allowing Eagle Scouts outside the Philippines to join, which resulted in the establishment of NESAPh International Chapter－a loose chapter composed of Filipino Eagle Scouts across the globe.

With the ease of community lockdowns, travels, and other restrictions, NESAPh once again flew into different locations in the Philippines, conducting Acceptance Rites in the Cities of Davao, Butuan, Cebu, Cabanatuan, Mandaluyong, and the Province of Laguna.

After the victorious travels of NESAPh, it succeeded once again in its membership campaign and achieving its goals; it conducted its 2nd General Assembly and Conclave on 2-4 December 2022 in the Camelot Hotel, Quezon City, which again, became an avenue to receive more than a hundred Eagle Scouts coming from the different islands of the Philippines, amended its Constitution and By-Laws, and elect the new set of the National Executive Committee.

Now, with Bro. Mark Roy L. Boado as the new and elected National President of NESAPh, a new era has begun and has been called the “Second Age.” Enhancing membership engagement and retention, strengthening financial stability, expanding outreach and impact, developing sustainable programs and initiatives, and fortifying partnerships and collaborations are the second age’s compass in maintaining the essence of what a Premiere Honor Society of Eagle Scouts in the Philippines truly is.

^* Appointee of the National President as mandated by NESAPh's Constitution and Bylaws.

The paramount success of NESAPh was achieved because of the continued support being given by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, viz:

1. BSP and NESAPh Memorandum of Agreement Signing (National Executive Board Room, BSP National Headquarters | 4 October 2019)[2]
2. BSP informing all concerned about BSP and NESAPh’s partnership (BSP National Office Memo No. 05, s. 2020 | 27 January 2020)[3]
3. BSP endorsing NESAPh’s 1st General Assembly and Conclave, and highly encouraging the participation of Eagle Scouts from different Local Councils (BSP National Office Memo No. 06, s. 2020 | 27 January 2020)[4]

NESAPh is an association of Eagle Scouts who welcomes those who wishes to continue their service and commitment to Scouting. All former Senior Scouts who earned the Eagle Scout rank and its equivalent (Jose Rizal Scout and the Scout Citizen Awardee) shall require showing proof of achievement prior to invitation and nomination for membership.

The Association is open to all registered members of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines who have successfully earned the highest rank in Senior Scouting which is the Eagle Scout rank.

The Association ensures and see to it that candidates and nominees for membership shall subscribe to the Fundamental Principles of Scouting based on his/her own free will, as well as the acceptance of Scouting's declaration of its Religious Policy governing membership.

The Association shall only accept members based on invitation and/or nomination of bona fide members in good standing and shall be subjected to deliberation for recommendation of the Membership Committee and approval of the National Officers.  

All interested Eagle Scouts who have been invited and or nominated for membership shall be subjected to membership verification as to the authenticity of his/her qualification as official and legitimate Eagle Scout awardee or its equivalent rank.

The process of membership by nomination aims to measure commitment to actively participate in our activities. NESAPh doesn't want huge number of members with very few active members. While Scouting, remains to be open for all, and primarily based on free will and volunteerism, NESAPh adheres to carefully select Eagle Scouts who wish to take active involvement in Leadership and Service, thus, requires expressed commitment, and careful selection thru nomination.

Eagle Scouts can expect worthwhile activities and events from NESAPh anchored with BSP's programme thrusts and flagship activities, viz:

1. Enhancing membership engagement and retention: The association will focus on implementing initiatives to increase member engagement and satisfaction, fostering a strong sense of community among Eagle Scouts. By nurturing relationships and offering valuable resources and opportunities, the association aims to retain existing members and attract new ones.
2. Strengthening financial stability: To ensure the long-term sustainability of the association, efforts will be made to enhance financial stability through strategic fundraising campaigns, sponsorships, and partnerships. By diversifying income streams and improving financial management, the association can secure the necessary resources to support its programs and operations.
3. Expanding outreach and impact: The association will prioritize expanding its outreach efforts to reach more Eagle Scouts across the Philippines. Through targeted marketing and communication strategies, the association aims to raise awareness of its mission, values, and benefits. By increasing its impact and reaching a wider audience, the association can contribute to the personal and professional development of more Eagle Scouts.
4. Developing sustainable programs and initiatives: The association will focus on developing sustainable programs and initiatives that align with its mission and cater to the evolving needs of Eagle Scouts. By continuously evaluating and improving its offerings, the association can provide valuable experiences, resources, and support that contribute to the growth and success of its members.
5. Strengthening partnerships and collaborations: The association will actively seek partnerships and collaborations with like-minded organizations, both within and outside the scouting community. By joining forces with other entities sharing similar goals, the association can leverage collective resources, expertise, and networks to create a greater impact and ensure its long-term sustainability.

All these activities and events of NESAPh is in accordance with the responsibilities stated on the Memorandum of Agreement signed with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. This proves that NESAPh Members are fully committed and responsible to its Oath.