A Grain of Truth
by Paul Brownlee

If one single issue galvanizes the minds of Filipinos today, it is the price of rice.  As global costs soar for this basic food staple, the Philippines–the world's biggest rice importer–is facing a crisis.

Unlike the neighboring countries of Thailand and Vietnam, successive Philippine governments chose to invest in the service sector over agriculture.  This failure of foresight, which had the potential to make the country self-sufficient in the grain market, has resulted in its need to import over 2 million tons of rice annually, in a classic case of "Coals to Newcastle."  If that's not pause for thought, imagine how desperately they rely on the commodity.  The population of the Philippines has risen by an unprecedented 27 million people in as many years, to almost 90 million people today.  Current trends forecast it to reach 140 million people by 2040.

Such is the necessity of rice in the diet the average Filipino spends 40% of his income on its consumption.  As almost half the population attempts to survive on less than $2 a day, the food demands in years to come for this ever-growing populace can never be overstated.  It will overshadow all future matters of state.  The challenges ahead are immense.

"The challenges ahead are immense."

Contrary to popular opinion, there is no actual shortage of rice.  Consumers, fearful of reports day after day of rising costs, have been stockpiling.  This panic buying resulted in depletion of government reserves, which forced the authorities to make additional demands on exporters.

With 3 billion people worldwide relying on rice as their mainstay, and speculation of impending future supply problems effecting and driving fast moving prices, buying on the international market has become more difficult.  Producers like Thailand are finding setting the price of rice complicated, especially when measuring and balancing it against the high number of desperate buyers.  Furthermore, in order to ensure stability for their own people, some governments have shut off exports altogether in an effort to control prices at home, which compounds the uncertainties of importers.

The rice crisis in the Philippines, fuelled by unscrupulous traders hoarding vast amounts of rice in order to maximize profits, has focused much needed attention to the debate on self-sufficiency.  With prime agricultural land depleting rapidly, whether through factors of urban building, deforestation, bio-fuel production, or even climate change–all contentious subjects–the government is now addressing issues to make farming more productive.  Too little too late, some may say.

"Too little too late, some may say."

In its drive to be a hub of technological excellence, embracing a global IT and telecommunications nucleus, the Philippines may find the cost of economic growth considerably at odds with the price of feeding its people.  In this brave new world, this is a lesson which other emerging nations contemplating a similar path may do well to heed.

© 2008 Paul Brownlee

A Curious Dilemma in Baguio City
by Paul Brownlee

When an American tourist complained to the Baguio City Government about how offended she was due to certain artifacts being sold throughout their hundreds of market stalls, it produced an extraordinary general assembly.  What, they asked, should be done about the proliferation of carved wooden phallic symbols blighting visitor perceptions of their town?

Baguio City, also known as the City of Pines, is situated amidst the mountainous Cordillera region and is regarded as the summer capital of the Philippines.  At over 5,000 feet above sea level and 155 miles north of Manila, it basks during November to May in a cool, temperate climate, as much as 8 degrees less than the lowlands which stew in a stifling heat. Bestowed with a variety of cultural, historical and scenic attractions, it is a destination to equally satisfy and challenge the most demanding traveler.

Within this tropical nation, Baguio is the best source of highland vegetables such as lettuce and broccoli, cauliflower and carrots, potatoes, cabbages and asparagus.  They are produced locally from the different Cordillera provinces and sold at the huge and very popular city market.  The wide variety of produce on offer, together with the sounds, smells and colors of this vibrant shopping extravaganza makes the rather arduous task of getting to Baguio pale in significance.  Combine this with a stroll around some of the world's finest strawberry fields and you'll know what having your head in the clouds is really about.

Baguio is a city of style, culture and sophistication.  Created by the Americans in 1901 on the site of the Ibaloi tribal village of Kafagway, it is a testament to town planning that defies convention.  The serpentine and infamous Kennon Road is not for the feint hearted.  Built between 1903 and 1905, it is not the only way to reach Baguio, but it is by far the most scenic and hair-raising one.  So, if you enjoy roller-coaster rides, then this is the route for you. Presuming you have a breath left in your body after you arrive, prepare for it to be taken away once you see the vibrancy, confidence,  and excitement of this remarkable city in the sky.

"Enough of all this, you say,
what about the phallic symbols?"

Enough of all this, you say, what about the phallic symbols?  Ah yes!  I'm glad you brought me back to that.  For many years, a certain curio has been one of the most popular souvenir in the Philippines.  Found in any gift shop, and even at airports, this diminutive wood carving of a Cordilleran tribesman attracts utmost interest.  He stands upright and proud in a barrel, which the unsuspecting punter cannot resist lifting, whence immediately the little chap's manhood springs into action.  At half the length of his body, his member stands as erect as a horizontal flagpole overdosed on Viagra.  How many of these well endowed little folk are scattered around the world is anyone's guess, and their popularity is undoubtedly due to the novelty factor.

Sometime during the last thirty years, the wood carvers of Baguio experienced some warped logic.  "Let's remove the little man and his barrel, and just carve the appendage!"  So successful was their manufacture that popular opinion, erroneously, contributed to the belief that they were made by the indigenous mountain tribes which still inhabit the landscape.  There's no denying that such symbols of virility are commonplace amongst ancient peoples, but this particular one's appearance is purely driven commercially.  The problem over time became the ever increasing size!

"The problem over time became
the ever increasing size!"

It cannot be denied, subject to your point of view, that they are carved to perfection.  Some are small enough to attach to a key ring and others large enough to shame a thoroughbred stallion.  Immaculately smoothed and polished, they are an impulse purchase, when little thought is given to the inevitable question of who the recipient will be.  After all, it's hardly something to give to your Grandmother as a reminder of your visit!  Furthermore, where are you going to pack it, and would you really want it scanned in your hand-carry when passing through airport security?

So what then are the noble burghers of Baguio to do?  As of yet, little action has been implemented.  In fact, there now seems to be even more of these souvenirs available than ever before, especially the key chains which hang in bunches everywhere like grapes on a vine.  If the issue is simply about supply and demand, then this is one pert little product which clearly stands up to scrutiny.

© 2008 Paul Brownlee