#287 Generations

Some say the current generation of upland farmers will be the last, because their children are better educated and want a better life. I say not.

This is Lily. She and her husband own several terraced rice fields here in Cababuyan in Banaue. Her husband inherited them from his father, and one day she expects to pass them on to their children. Her children are all educated, have jobs in the city, one even has a career in North America. None are interested to live a life like theirs. So why do I think this won't end with them?

We arrived on harvest day, the one day of the year when Lily's annual crop need to be reaped. Forty people showed-up to earn just P200 each (about $5.) These folks likely also sowed these fields six months earlier, or helped tend the dikes between then and today. Clearly there are enough of them around... those who don't own any rice fields... but still need to live off the land.  So even if the landed few seek better pastures elsewhere... someone here will till what they leave behind... and these fields will go on. Because life always finds a way. Enjoy.

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