PERSONAL BLOG #3: Drought Perils the "8th Wonder of the World"

According to this report, the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces and the entire town of Banaue in Ifugao province has been placed under a state of calamity due the continued drought caused by the El Nino phenomenon. The lack of rainfall and invasion of large earthworms made rice paddies vulnerable to erosion thus affecting the livelihood of many farmers in the Cordillera region.

The Banaue Rice Terraces commonly referred as the "Eight Wonder of the World" is a "World Heritage Site" and a popular tourist destination in the Philippines. National Geographic featured the terraces in its 25th anniversary edition last year by including it on it 50 Places of a Lifetime list or the world best travel destination.

Legend has it that an Igorot god used the rice terraces as steps to visit his people on earth. But the good news tells a different story, it talks about a god that is "near to all who call on him" and who commands his people to "bear one another's burden."

This said, you can help struggling farmers by helping raise awareness on the serious problems they're facing today and by purchasing locally grown rice from socially responsible sources such those from Eight Wonder Inc. - an international business organization that supports sustainable agriculture and fair trade of selected varieties of heirloom rice harvested from 18 farm communities in the rice terraces. (see embedded video below).

But the best and more effective way to help farmers from the long dry spell is to simply pray to God for rain.

Click here for more information on Eight Wonder Inc.