CIVILIZATION, CIVILIZERS, RELIGION, AND ECONOMY

It is not difficult to see the relationship among civilization, civilizers, religion and economy. By just reading from online resources, I have made a stronger resolve on my previous observations that the economy of a civilization was hugely influenced by civilizers and their religion. Most people however, associated the economy of a civilization on politics and political policies. But, politics and political policies were in itself primarily influenced by the civilizers who themselves have personal religious beliefs. For example, the United Arab Emirates and Canada were once a British colony. Singapore was another. Brunei also was a British colony. Another was Hong Kong. The British had also been to Turkey and Lebanon. In fact, Lebanon was once labeled as the Switzerland of the Mid-East. Economically speaking, the said nations are well above Argentina, Mexico, Philippines, Brazil and etc.

MANILA HEMP OR ABACA

The revival for the utilization of hemp fibers, locally called abaca is very interesting considering the material is biodegradable. In the late 50’s and up to the early parts of the 70’s most of the natives, the ‘Bilaans’ and the ‘Manobos’ in the Southern part of the Philippines especially in Kidalapong, Malita, Davao del Sur would come to work in clothes made of abaca fibers or 'tinalak'. The natives processed the fibers into very colorful threads that are hand-woven into cloth. The colors usually simulate natural vegetations. The cloths were hand-sewn into vest and below the knee short pants. These are usually decorated with colorful beads as additional camouflage. Bells were also sewn into hemlines to drive away harmful animals in the thicket where most natives dwell.
Another use with which the natives have employed abaca or hemp fibers was those of ropes as bundling material.

Besides the Philippines, Panama is another major exporter of abaca to the United States. In 1952 alone, Panama exported about US$ 1.5 million to the US. The fibers were used for the manufacture of cords and jute bags (Biesanz 1955).

Some other countries have been importing abaca fibers from the Philippines too. Germany for example, for about 50 years now has been utilizing abaca fibers in many ways. They use the fibers as yarn materials for upholstery of couches, beds, and chairs. In 2005, Mercedez Benz indicated the utilization of the fibers in its manufactured cars (Manila Bulletin 2005).

Works Cited
Adams, Phoebe-Lou. 1999. Brief Reviews. The Atlantic Monthly, March, 116. http://www.questia.com/
Biesanz, Mavis, and John Biesanz. 1955. The People of Panama. New York: Columbia University Press. http://www.questia.com/
Catanduanes Fiber Industry Fast Recovering, FIDA Says. 2009. Manila Bulletin, July 11, NA. http://www.questia.com/
Cotabato Gears Up for T'nalak Festival. 2006. Manila Bulletin, June 26, NA. http://www.questia.com/
The Magical Essence of Abaca. 2006. Manila Bulletin, March 26, NA. http://www.questia.com/
Mindanao High-Value Crops Top RP Exports. 2007. Manila Bulletin, October 26, NA. http://www.questia.com/
National Resources Planning Board. 1943. Industrial Location and National Resources: December, 1942. National Resources Planning Board. Washington, DC: U.S. Govt. Print. Off. http://www.questia.com/
S Cotabato Offers a Variety of Choices. 2006. Manila Bulletin, August 28, NA. http://www.questia.com/
50 Years of RP-German Relations. July 2, 2005. Manila Bulletin. http://www.questia.com/

THE 21st CENTURY FARMERS

It was always difficult to argue with farmers who seemed to have mastered the trade especially in the 21st century. Their practices though are a lot different from those which I have seen in the 60's. In the past, or up until the late 20th century, farmers would leave at least a fourth of the fruits of the land for the poor, the destitute, the birds and other organisms to harvest. But today, not even the birds are allowed in farmlands. They have scarecrows to drive them away. There seems to be no use to bother. So, similar to others I continued to be a mere observer and consumer. Most farmers complain through the media of the poor returns of investments after their harvest. I regularly purchase similar goods in the market and they are usually expensive. So, I thought the poor supply must be the reason.

Yesterday however, after a heavy deluge in the North, thousands of hectares of farmlands were submerged exposing to the whole world the simple truth. The vastness of tilled lands and the volume of farm products could be supportive of cheaper marketable goods to ease the hunger of the needy and the destitute. Nontheless, the farmers, vendors, middlemen and their dependents who were all crying for rescue, almost submerged with their farms could only mean one thing. For years while they have kept the bounty to themselves, nature saw to it that they can really keep it for themselves forever, but, under water and under the soil.