By Karyn Mae F. Azur, SUNSTAR DAVAO
THE so-called backbone of the nation produces the fruits, vegetables,
and rice that are served on Filipino tables. They are the farmers. It
is because of the farmers’ ceaseless efforts that we have something to
eat to fill our stomach and nourish our body.
With that, I am writing this to thank and salute you for all the
selfless things you do, and to express how important you are to me.
The sad thing is that most of the people you feed do not appreciate
and give importance of your existence and contribution. What’s more
heart-breaking is that you work harder, but earn less.
You earn less not just because of the small amount of income you
gain, but because of the little value given to you. You earn less
because most of Filipinos do not deeply appreciate your important role
in the society as food producers.
In our dining table, we never forget to thank God for providing the
food we eat. But, we don’t realize you are God’s instruments who make it
possible for us to have the fruits, vegetables, and rice served on our
tables.
I often reflect about your life.
You wake up before the sun rises, then sip a cup of coffee and eat four to six pieces of pandesal.
I find it heart-rending that you wake up early every morning to take
care of the crops that are later cooked and served on our table, while
we stay at peace on our bed, wake up late, and eat what you have
produced for us.
While we’re lying with our back on a comfortable mattress, you’re
working so hard with your sweat dripping and back under the torturing
heat of the sun. But, you never complain. You never stop.
We don’t even think of the farmers’ hard work and hardship while we
chew our food. What we have in mind is to eat to our heart’s content and
start our day in a way that’s far different from theirs.
Rain or shine, you go to the fields to check on the crops, and do
everything to have a good harvest to gain bigger income. You spend
almost half of your day under various difficult situations, but you do
not earn what you deserve.
You put in a big percentage to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and
along with the fishery sector, you contribute almost 20 percent of the
total GDP.
But, you receive less of government’s assistance. Your income is not
enough for your basic needs and can’t even support your family. You
don’t deserve to get this in return from your huge contribution in the
society and economy.
It upsets me that even if you fulfill your role in the society in the
best way you can, together with the fishermen, you are still the
‘poorest sectors’ and ‘most vulnerable to hunger and poverty’ according
to a report by Oxfam International Philippines.
As one of the pillars of Philippine economy, you are worthy to be
commended. You deserve to live in abundance. You deserve more.
I thank you because you are the reason why my mother is able to buy
fresh fruits and vegetables at the market, which she cooks into a
delicious and healthy meal for us.
I thank you for if it isn’t because of your undying efforts, my
father won’t be able to purchase a sack of rice to sustain us for a
month.
I thank you because we’re able to survive everyday, through the staple crops you produce, which we buy, cook, and eat.
You might not know how important you are to me and to my family
that’s why I’m writing this and I hope you’ll be able to read this.
I am certain that one day will come when, like the seeds you plant,
you will rise from the ground and grow abundantly. Yes, you will.
-o0o-
Sunday Essays are articles written by Ateneo de Davao University students for their journalism subject.
