'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho' sheds light on abaca industry and the hard work that goes into the harvest

GMA Network

18-05-2025

Abaca is one of the strongest natural fibers in the world, used in handicrafts, fabrics, and even money. Aside from being a strong material, it is also more sustainable. More than 80% of its global supply is proudly made in the Philippines.
Part of the family of bananas, and native to the Philippines, abaca is especially abundant in Barangay Malaunay in the town of Valencia, Negros Oriental. The area is a breeding ground for Laoa, or the most famous form of abaca fiber in the world.
The harvest of abaca has been a longtime profession of Jessie and Jun.
"Mga 17 pa ko nagsimula nito. Kasi wala kaming ibang pagkukunan kaya napilitan kami kahit bata pa 'yung edad. Ang importante meron kaming konting matrabaho," Jun said on "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho."
["I was about 17 years old when I started harvesting abaca. We had no other source of income, so we were forced to do this even though we were still young. What was important was having some work— no matter how little."]
Jessie, meanwhile, started at the age of 10.
The farm or abacahan they would go for harvest is owned by Jessie's cousin.
"Sinasabi nila na, 'Yung abacahan ko, kigihan n'yo kasi kapag nabenta, bibigyan ng parte,'" Jun said.
["They would say, 'Harvest my abaca for me, and when it's sold, you'll get a share."]
They walk for 30 minutes to get there. Jun and Jessie carry their equipment alaran, which is used to collect the abaca fibers.
Jessie would look for a tree he can cut, and then would take off its outer layers, the abaca skins. Meanwhile, Jun would sift them through the sieve and repeatedly pull until the abaca fiber is obtained. This process is called "panggagahot."
It comes with risk, because the alaran is sharp and heavy, and the ground is slippery. With one strong pull, he may fall or get hurt.
"Palagi talaga kaming malapit na madisgrasya 'pag naghihila kami nito. 'Pag napuputol, natatapon kami sa malayo. Pero okay lang, kasi hindi naman napipilay. Sugat-sugat lang konti," Jun said.
["We're prone to accidents whenever we pull this. When it snaps, we get thrown far. But it's okay—we don't really get hurt, just a few cuts and scrapes."]
His hands are also filled with calluses.
"Siyempre masakit sa kamay pero matitiis naman kasi wala namang iba," he said.
["It hurts our hands, but we have to endure it because there's nothing else we can do."]
The harvest
Jun and Jessie then take turns throughout the harvesting process.
He shared a life-threatening experience he had while working on the abaca.
"Nagulungan ng bato, nakapaksi kasi ako ng abaca, hindi ko alam na hindi 'yun bato sa taas, kaya nangyari na [nabali 'yung paa ko]," he said. "'Yan ang mahirap sa pagkigi."
["I got run over by a rock while I was carrying abaca. I didn't realize that the rock above was loose, so it happened—my foot got broken. That's the hard part about this kind of work."]
After a whole day of "panggagahot," Jun and Jessie collect more than two kilos of abaca that they need to dry before selling.
A kilo sells for P180, but since the owner takes a share and they have to halve the remaining earnings into two, they only end up getting a small portion.
Since they are only able to harvest abaca twice a year, Jun and Jessie also work as construction workers.
While the job is commonly for men, there are still women who sign up for it. Farmer Jane Ann said she started because she saw her partner struggling and wanted to help out.
"Kahit mahirap 'yan, gagawin na lang. Kahit panlalaki lang sana 'yan. Mapait 'tong sitwasyon na 'to," Jane Ann said.
["Even though it's difficult, we just keep doing it—even if it's supposedly only for men. Our situation is really tough."]
Like the other farmers, she climbs mountains to get abaca and carries them back down as the alaran she uses is in their home.
It is not an easy job for Jane Ann, as half of her body was burned as a child.
To add to her duties, she also has to take care of her partner and their children.
The sale
After a few weeks, the dried abaca fibers of Jun, Jessie, and Jane Ann were ready for sale. But since they were only able to collect a few, they decided to combine their harvest, which added up to five-and-a-half kilos.
They were able to sell these at P165 per kilo and earned a total of P907.50. Jun and Jessie got P150 each, whereas Jane Ann got P300, which she used to buy rice.
"Sobrang lugi! Kukuhanan pa ng para sa may-ari ng lupa! Hindi talaga kami nagbebenta ng kaunti kasi lugi, gas pa lang," Jun said.
["It's such a huge loss for us. A share also goes to the landowner. We really don't sell in small amounts because it's not worth it—just the fuel alone costs too much."]
The farmers' abaca is often sold to buyers in Valencia, like Ricardo, who pays P180. He sells these to his frequent buyers in Cebu, Albay, and Manila for a higher price at P210 per kilo.
"Ito ring abaca ang ginagawang materyales para sa damit," Ricardo said. "Meron akong isang customer na Chinese, pinapadala niya sa China."
["This abaca is also used as material for clothing. I have one Chinese customer who sends it to China."]
To this, Jun said, "Bahala na malaki ang tubo nila, sa'min konti. Ang importante, meron kaming pinagkukunan."
["It's okay if they make a big profit, and ours is small. What matters is that we have something to earn from."]
According to Nina Lacson of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), this was due to additional costs.
"Mahal pa sa shipment from here to Luzon or other destination. Ang nire-regulate natin, ang quality. 'Yung pricing, nagdepende sa quality ng fiber."
["Shipping costs from here to Luzon or other destinations are quite expensive. What we focus on regulating is the quality— the price depends on the fiber's quality."]
Industry issues
The abaca industry has its share of issues.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Negros Oriental said it went through a crisis when the abaca trees were affected by moko disease, which is caused by bacteria. This kills the trees slowly, and affects the abaca industry of Valencia as a whole.
"What we need to do is to teach farmers on how to plant properly, how to harvest properly, and to make sure na hindi siya nakadikit sa mga bananas," Ali Atienza, PhilFIDA Director said. "Education ang pinaka-importante and good agricultural practices."
["What we need to do is to teach farmers how to plant properly, how to harvest properly, and ensure the abaca is not intercropped with bananas. Education is key— along with practicing good agricultural methods."]
Additionally, the use of polymer bills instead of abaca in money also affects farmers' livelihood.
"National treasure natin ang abaca. It's endemic to the Philippines, pero we are not using it. A lot of other countries are still using abaca, pero dito nawala," Atienza said.
["Abaca is our national treasure. It's endemic to the Philippines, yet we are not using it. Many other countries still rely on abaca, but here, it has almost disappeared."]
"But definitely, we are pushing to move it again, put abaca back in our money," she added. "I've talked to [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] and they're very willing naman. Since ang pera natin is polymer, I think puwede natin magawa na maihalo uli ang abaca doon."
["But we're definitely pushing to bring it back—especially in our currency. I've already spoken with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and they're very open to it. Since our money is now made of polymer, we believe it's possible to reintroduce abaca into the mix."]
Ariel Casilao of the Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura added that farmers' rights need to be emphasized as well.
"Kailangan natin mai-push 'yung mga batas na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng mga magsasaka," he said. "Sa kasalukuyan kasi ang problema, capital ng mga magsasaka sarili nilang bulsa. Kagyat na panawagan natin 'yung 25,000 na production subsidy."
["We need to push for laws that respond to the real needs of farmers. Right now, they're forced to rely on their own pockets for capital. That's why we're urgently calling for a P25,000 production subsidy."]
Casilao added, "Hindi dapat ito magiging pasanin ng magsasaka alone. Responsibilidad ng gobyerno, siguraduhin na 'yung industriya ay nabubuhay kasama 'yung mga magsasaka."
["This shouldn't be the burden of farmers alone. It's the government's responsibility to ensure that the industry thrives—together with the farmers."]
The Municipal Office of Agriculture in Valencia has expressed support towards abaca farmers. With the leadership of PhilFIDA, they distributed abaca seedlings to farmers in Valencia and gave them shredding machines.
Lendon Escalante of the DA said, "Marami tayong mga abaca farmers na ngayon na hindi talaga susunod sa mga makabagong teknolohiya ng agrikultura. Ineengganyo din namin sila through digital information na 'yung mga raw mats ng fiber ay pipiktyuran para papakita."
["Many abaca farmers are still hesitant to adopt modern agricultural practices. We're encouraging them to use digital tools—like photographing raw fiber materials to better show their quality."]
He also shared his vision: "Gusto kong mangyari sana, to adopt a farm. Para itong mga textile makers. Diretso na, wala nang trader."
["What I hope will happen is to adopt a farm. Textile makers working directly with farmers—no more traders in between."] —JCB, GMA Integrated News