Experiencing provincial life was so simple, yet adventurous. At first, I thought life in the province was boring, because there has no malls, convenient store, food stall, buildings, and all you can see is the green surroundings, which is the rice fields. But, I was wrong. 

Last March 2019, I and my two younger brothers with my aunt went to North Cotabato (my father’s province) 

Life in the province was so simple. Waking up early at 5 a.m by the cockcrow, and sleeping at 8 in the evening.

I learn and experience a lot of things in the province that hasn’t encounter in a city. I learn how to catch fish from the fishpond, and how to dried coconut kernel. I used to tread in the mud, and the rice fields. We swim in a river, we rode on the trailer, we harvest legumes. And I also eat palakang bukid, duck, and sea urchin.

 

The fruits and vegetables there are bountiful. You can eat even without spending money. You will just harvest vegetables and fruits that are available from your backyard, then, you have food to eat. The price of vegetables and fruits there is ranging from P5 – P60 per kilo, but in the city that is double or triple than the price in the province 

For almost three months that I stayed in province I feel so refreshing, because there is no toxic, no pollution, no traffic, fresh to breathe, and a beautiful view.



Photo credits: Elizabeth T. Mission & Evelyn L. Tajan