planting rice








One of the songs we were taught in grade 1 is "Planting Rice" my apologies if that is not the correct title. But I could not recall the lyrics anymore. Anyway on the way to Pagudpud, we saw endless green fields of rice with people being very busy working the farms. I also noticed that most of those working the fields were men with very few women working the land. Buddha said it was the second planting season. I told him that I have read that it is much better to let the land rest for a season before planting crops once again and using chemical fertilizers on the land.

Today I read an article in INQ7 talking about the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Ilocano workers who went to Hawaii to work the sugar fields over there. Most went there so that they could make enough money for their dowry. Others chose to live in Hawaii for good. It would not be surprising to find out that most of the ethnic Filipinos in Hawaii at present came from these Ilocano workers. The Manongs who went to Hawaii toiled the land for long hours while the sun is shining.

Ilocos is a very hard place. The land is difficult, the weather is harsh. Sometimes Ilocanos are called the Scots of the Philippines mostly because of their thrift and industry. But given the conditions they live in, they really did not have much choice otherwise their survival is at stake. Ironically, it was under President Marcos, an Ilocano that the country started to amass massive foreign debt for which the country does not have much to show for. all photos © 2005 daddywasabi, all rights reserved.