Farmers’ heroism, plight centerstage in Ecija filmfest

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — Devoid of electricity and without a bit of luxury that people in poblacions or town centers enjoy, the Dela Cruz family lives a simple life in the rice fields of Isabela.

       Making both ends meet by planting rice and other seasonal crops, grade schooler Balong dreams of finishing school to help boost the family’s income, even as he and his sibling witness the daily struggles of their parents, Deling and Jaime.

Balong would count the sacks of rice, the money they need, and the little moments that led to an inevitable departure that will leave them all affected.

The life of the Dela Cruz family that depicts the difficult, challenging life of agricultural workers in northern Luzon, particularly in the province of Isabela, is featured in the 102 -minute film ‘Pitong Kabang Palay’, directed by Maricel C. Cariaga — one of the six films on farmers featured in the  week-long Tofarm Film Festival that formally opened at SM City Cabanatuan cinemas last week.

Zeroing in on the theme “The Plight of the Farmer: His Trials and Triumphs,” the TOFARM film fest is seen as a venue wherein farmers could be appreciated, recognized and respected, said Dr. Milagros How, executive vice president of Universal Harvester, Inc. a prime mover of the film festival.

Other entries

Aside from  “Pitong Kabang Palay”, the other entries are “Free Range”, (187 minutes) the story of a boy who used to help his parents run a lodge in Coron, Palawan, and ventured into an organically grown free-range chicken growing business; “Kakampi”,  (81 minutes), a  true story of a cab driver who got a new life upon returning to home to Camiguin and tried indigenous farming; “Paglipay” (98 minutes), a film that focuses on Atan, an Aeta from Baytan village in Zambales who makes a living from traditional kaingin and animal hunting on the foothills of Mt. Pinatubo; “Pauwi Na”, which tackles a family’s exodus from Manila to return to the province – riding on their two pedicabs  and “Pilapil”, (118 minutes) a story of a man who wanted to escape rural farming life.

Everyday heroes

“They are the reasons kung bakit mayroon tayong pinagsasaluhan sa ating mga hapag kainan araw-araw (why we have something to share with each other in our dining table daily),” How said, noting that farmers are the most hard working people in the land.

“As I got to know more our farmers over the years, na-inspire ako sa mga kwentong buhay nila (I’ve got inspired with the stories of their lives). Mga kuwentong lungkot at ligaya, mga pagsubok at tagumpay (stories of sadness and happiness, trials and success),” How added as she formally opened the festival in front of farmers from various parts of Nueva Ecija, the acknowledged rice granary of the country.

Tribute and inspiration

“Through Tofarm film festival, kami ho ay umaasana ang ating mga minamahal na magsasaka ay magkakaroon ng tinig at mabibigyan ng pagkakataon na maikuwento ang kani-kanilang mga buhay to inspire, yan ho ang aming nagging misyon (we are hoping that our farmers be given voice and opportunity to narrate their own stories to inspire others. That is our mission),” she said.

Star power

Actor Romnick Sarmenta, who hails from this city, joined the opening even if he had no film to be featured in the festival.

      “Tuwing bakasyon ay pinauuwi ako dito ng loloko at tinuturuan akong mgagawain sa pagsasaka (Every vacation season,  my grandfather invites me over here and he taught me farming tasks),” Sarmenta recalled as he mingled with farmers at the mall. – Philippine News Agency