Thank for filling our stomach: Dedicated for ALL FILIPINO FARMERS

The country's so-called "backbone" generates the fruits, vegetables, and rice that Filipinos eat. They are called the farmers our heroes. Because of the farmers’ efforts, we have something to eat to fill our stomachs and nourish our bodies.

I salute all the farmers out there for all the selfless things you do and express how important you are to me. The sad thing is that most people you feed don't appreciate and give importance to your existence and contribution. The most painful aspect is that you put in more effort but yet earn less.

Farmers earn less due to the small amount of money they make and due to the low value provided. Earn less because most Filipinos do not sincerely appreciate their essential role in society as food producers.

We never forget to thank God for the food we consume at our dinner table. However, we are unaware that you are God's tools who enable us to eat the fruits, vegetables, and rice on our tables.

I think about my life a lot. I get up before the sun comes up, have a cup of coffee, and eat four to six pandesal slices.

It breaks my heart that you get up early every morning to tend to the crops that are later cooked and served on our table while we sleep in, wake up late, and enjoy what you have grown for us.

You're working so hard with your sweat streaming and back under the torturous heat of the sun while we're relaxing with our backs on a comfy mattress. You, on the other hand, never complain. You never seem to quit.

While chewing our food, we don't even consider the farmers' toil and hardship. We intend to eat to our hearts' delight and begin our days in a manner that differs greatly from theirs.

You go to the farms rain or shine to check on the crops and do everything you can to ensure an excellent harvest and a more significant income. You spend about half of your day in various challenging conditions, but you do not receive the compensation you deserve.

You contribute a significant portion of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and you, along with the fishing industry, make a substantial contribution to total GDP.

However, you will receive less government aid. Your earnings are insufficient to meet your necessities, and you are unable to maintain your family. You don't deserve this in exchange for your significant contributions to society and the economy.

It irritates me that, even though you perform your duties in society to the best of your ability, you and the fisherman remain the "poorest sections" and "most exposed to hunger and poverty."

You are deserved of praise as one of the Philippines' economic foundations. You are destined for a prosperous life. You are worthy of more.

I thank you because my mother can go to the market and buy fresh fruits and veggies, which she prepares into a lovely and healthy lunch for us.

I thank you because, without your heroic efforts, my mother would not be able to buy a sack of rice to feed us for a month.

I thank you because the staple crops you produce, which we buy, cook, and eat, allow us to survive every day.

You may not realize how important you are to my family and me, which is why I'm writing, and I hope you can read it.

I am confident that one day will come when you will rise from the ground and grow abundantly like the seeds you plant. Thank you very much, my heroes.....

Written by:JHenry09