THE RICE FARMING OF STA.
CRUZ
I was born and raised in Sta. Cruz and
grew on the side where farming is the main
source of food. Even though we produce
vegetables, our main product is rice, this is the
reason why we don't have a problem buying rice
from the market. The process of making this
crop requires a lot of patience, time, and
dedication.  rice can be prepared in two ways: pagpupunla
The location must be filled with water
first. This is what we called patubig, this is done
to soften the soil and condition it for a suitable
place where the rice can grow. Luckily, there is
an irrigation system near our rice field which
makes the job easier. Few days after, here is
where we, the grandchildren of the family do our
part, at least this is the only thing I can do.
Golden apple snails as it was called locally,
kuhol is an invasive species of snail and could
be a threat to the crops by feeding on it.
We get rid of them by collecting them on the
fields and letting the snails dry by the road.
When it is all clear, the elders cultivate the soil.
Using various instruments either a tractor or for
more traditional way, a carabao pulling an arado
behind it or a kubuta.
The next in the process is the
preparation for planting. Before planting, the
and soaking the rice in water overnight. From
the name itself, the main reason for these
preparations is to make the rice seeds sprout to
have a higher chance of growing. The
differences between this two is that in sprouting
the grains are usually planted in a sack until the
roots holds onto the sack. The symbolic image
of farmers bowing down planting rice is made
possible with this process, they are planting the
punla that they have prepared. There is also an
important process next to pagpupunla and this
what we called pamumunot (root word bunot)
or to pull off, basically harvesting the sprouts for
transferring. On the other hand, the process of
soaking the grains overnight then scattering it on
the field the other day is the easier way of
planting. The planting process usually takes days
or even weeks when the field is too big.
Then the long wait began. Time to time,
the farmers needs to check the field to clean
weeds, remove remaining snails, and fertilize the
crop.
After about three months, the rice is big
enough and most of them starts to bear some
grains. Another tiring time again for the farmers.
Birds, especially flock of maya loves to fly over
the field, back and forth all day. To resolve this plate, as much as possible eat what is served.
problem, scarecrows are introduced as well The process is hard but the it will always be
colorful plastics and cloth hang on a string to symbolic.
trick the birds in seeing real human. Another
technique varies from just maybe some farmers,
but our grandparents practice it, used CDs and
can with stones inside are also hang on strings
ang connected to the resting hut of the farmer.
When flock of maya is spotted, we will pull the
string making sounds to scare away the birds.
After a few more weeks or months and the
grains turns golden yellow, giving a gentle
rustling sound as it dances in the sweet scent of
fresh provincial air, it is ready for harvest.
Usually in this time of the year it is summer or
early summer already, so it could get hot. Pag-
gagapas a generic term for harvesting rice, uses
scythe as its tool. When the long day of bowing
down the field is done, the rice stems is
collected, then it is ready to separate the stems
from the grain.

It will then be transported on the

stockroom or the houses of the farmers.
The farming ends here, the seeds then
enter various of lots and tiresome process before
being served to the table. The rice will be dried
under the sun, winnowed to separate the chaff,
and then milled.

The whole process or cycle of rice is a

symbolism itself. It symbolizes the passion,
hardship, and compassion of the farmers. The
significance of farmers was far appreciated in
terms of economic, social, and morals. We are
taught to appreciate every grain of rice on our