Aired (September 10, 2024): Gaano nga ba kahirap mag-ani ng kangkong? ‘Yan ang inalam ni Kara David sa kanyang pinakabagong dokumentaryo sa #KaraDocs
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00:00If you don't know how to peel a water spinach,
00:05but water spinach is known as a nutritious and cheap vegetable.
00:09Some families not only depend on the water spinach's nutrients,
00:13but also rely on it to fulfill their dream of getting out of poverty.
00:17Here is the story of Tara David's public affairs in Karadox.
00:24In this desert in Angono, Rizal, these boats are often seen.
00:30They are rowing in this part of Laguna de Bay
00:34because this is where their community lives.
00:38They are the people who rely on the blessings of the 6 kangkos,
00:42rain or shine.
00:49We are now at the end of Wawa in Angono, Rizal.
00:52Actually, this part of the river is the mouth of the Pasig River.
00:59What are we looking for?
01:01Water spinach. Long ones.
01:03Long water spinach.
01:06When it comes to the shallow parts of Wawa,
01:08they go down one by one to get the water spinach.
01:14This is where I met Lorigin.
01:17She has been growing water spinach for more than a decade.
01:20From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
01:23they are rowing the water spinach together.
01:26And in their work, they are not allowed to sleep.
01:30Lorigin grew up in the Northern Summers.
01:32Like others, she just tried her luck in Luzon.
01:36Even though their income is small,
01:38their dreams for her 8 children are still anchored in the water spinach.
01:44We taught our children that we are not rich.
01:50You need to learn how to live a hard life.
01:55Even though some of the children here are also helping in their farming.
01:58One of them is 13-year-old John Mark.
02:01After his morning class, he goes straight to Kangkungan
02:05to help his parents.
02:08I am still studying.
02:10I can help my parents more.
02:13What are your plans for your children?
02:16I want to be a police officer.
02:18They say their water spinach is ripe.
02:20But there is no guarantee that they can sell all of it.
02:24Aside from this, they are also fighting against the bad weather.
02:28Last Monday, the country was hit by a heavy storm.
02:32Rizal province is one of the affected areas.
02:35Because of the storm, they were not able to grow water spinach.
02:39The water spinach farmers were forced to sell their water spinach.
02:45But the whole community was more worried
02:48because they are illegal settlers in their area.
02:53That area is considered as hazard prone.
02:58We are encouraging them to relocate.
03:01Especially those who live in the end of the area.
03:03If the water spinach is strong, they will be affected.
03:06Based on the data released by the PSA or the Philippine Statistics Authority,
03:10in March of 2024, 2.11 million Filipinos are unemployed.
03:16One of the reasons is the calamities and storms that hit our country this year.
03:21But according to the local government of Angono,
03:23they are doing something so that people like Nelori Jean will not always depend on Kangkong.
03:29Our CTLO and TESDA also have capacity development training that they just need to avail.
03:38What I saw in the people of Kangkong, of Rizal, is hope.
03:42Even if they drown in the water or are affected by the bad weather,
03:46they are shown to be hardworking and helpful.
03:49If they are given support and a fair opportunity,
03:53surely the dreams they have in Kangkong will one day come true.
04:23For more UN videos visit www.un.org