Literally raised by farmers or grew up surrounded by farmers in their respective communities, the connection of Laicka Implamado (Occidental Mindoro), Rein Hillary Carrascal (Sorsogon), Kimbelyn Acob (Isabela), and Louise Gallardo (Palawan) to agriculture runs rather deep.
“Ever since I was young, I’ve been immersed na sa buhay ng magsasaka,” Kimberlyn shares. She recalls the story in which she collapsed in the middle of the farm due to extreme heat and then woke up in the hospital later on.
Louise, on the other hand, remembers visiting her grandparents on the farm where she was taught all about planting. “At the time, I already envisioned myself as someone who will implement the importance of farming, especially to the next generation.”
Even Rein looks back at her younger years with so much happiness because of her experiences on her grandmother’s farm, “’Yun din ang fondest bonding ko with my lola – sasama ako sa palayan. Feeling ko talaga, ‘I belong here. I am in my element.’”
Even Rein looks back at her younger years with so much happiness because of her experiences on her grandmother’s farm, “’Yun din ang fondest bonding ko with my lola – sasama ako sa palayan. Feeling ko talaga, ‘I belong here. I am in my element.’”
For Laicka, she credits everything that she has been able to achieve because of her parents who were both farmers, “Masuwerte ako dahil naibigay nila lahat ng pangangailangan ko through farming.”
Sadly though, they feel that agriculture activities are slowly fading from the consciousness of the public and fewer people get involved in farming because technology is taking over. “Dati ‘yung five hectares (of land), kailangan ng 20 or 10 people para matapos ‘yung harvest. Ngayon, (ang isang) reaper, kaya nang tapusin (ang harvest) ng dalawa o tatlong oras,” Kimberlyn explains the current situation. She adds that the farmers’ average age now is 57 years old, proving that children or even young adults are not too keen on this anymore.
Describing the plight of the Mangyan tribes in her hometown, Laicka cites a specific situation. According to her, because of these developments, the indigenous people are no longer able to execute their farming traditions and practices, diminishing their cultural heritage.
Rein, though, wants to remain optimistic that technological advancements aren’t necessarily the enemy and can be utilized as an advantage. “Hopefully, using these technologies and proper training, mas marami tayong mahihikayat sa farming,” she says.
For Louise, information dissemination on the youth is going to be crucial in shaping the future of farming. Laicka banks on this idea and highlights the importance of cultural mapping. She believes that by doing this, we are able to identify certain cultural practices and traditions that need to be preserved or at least documented to be appreciated by the new generation.
Without a doubt, there is a sense of urgency in addressing the current situation of Philippine agriculture. All hope is not lost, however. “This is where we come in as ambassadors, as beauty queens, as spokespeople,” Rein points out. “That’s why we’re here. Ready to speak up about agriculture,” Kimberlyn asserts.
With these young women at the helm, agriculture hopefully won’t be just a thing of the past anytime soon.
PRODUCED BY: Laicka Implamado | Rein Hillary Carrascal
Kimberlyn Acob | Luisa Gallardo | Ica Imanuelle Macazo
CREATIVE PRODUCER: Nathan Vargas
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Ica Imanuelle Macazo | Rexy Jolly Conopio
Angel Fagaragan
PHOTOGRAPHER: Rap Yu
