The morning sun casts a warm glow over Brgy. Cataning, Balanga, Bataan, where farmers gather under a mango tree for the PalaySikatan Harvest Festival.

Rows of chairs face a simple backdrop, and calm chatter fills the air as attendees, mostly senior citizens, settle into their seats. It’s 6:30 a.m., but they show no signs of impatience—only anticipation for what the day has to offer. Today feels different—something important is happening.

The event starts with the voices of two emcees, signaling the beginning of a day filled with learning and discovery. Among the attendees are Cely Espiritu, 77, and Manuel Tejada, 65, both eager to embrace new farming techniques despite their age.

Espiritu and Tejada’s eagerness reflects the importance of the event. Tejada learned about the festival through his cousin and arrived at 6 a.m. to explore modern techniques, even giving the technology demonstration officers his child’s contact for future updates.

Espiritu, who prefers gathering information through her regular LGU visits, didn’t let her lack of a cellphone prevent her from staying informed.

“I don’t have a cellphone, nor do I know how to use one. Whenever I need information, I prefer to ask in person or go directly to the source,” she shared.

This didn’t discourage her from missing her chances to stay informed. She believes that if there’s a will, there’s a way.

The Harvest Festival is one of the highlights conducted under the PalaySikatan 2.0 of the RCEF Seed Program.

“The Harvest Festival’s primary purpose is to showcase the results of the Palaysikatan’s implementation and to share these insights with neighboring farming communities. This allows farmers to see the outcomes of the PalaySikatan implementation in that specific area,” Dianne A. Gabriel, project focal person of the PalaySikatan 2.0, explained.

The festival is held at the end of the farming season. In Brgy Cataning, Balanga, Bataan, the event has already been conducted twice, with the most recent one held for the 2025 dry season.

Lifelong learning

Farmers gain hands-on experience with new varieties, technologies, and optimized techniques during the Harvest Festival. Espiritu and Tejada embraced the project’s initiatives, applying what they learned to improve their farms. In this event, 130 farmers witnessed the ceremonial harvest of NSIC Rc 218 and Rc 534.  One of the project goals is to influence farmers to utilize and adapt the learning it provide for them, especially the seed varieties.

When Espiritu’s husband underwent head surgery, she had the opportunity to take over their farm.

Ever since the PalaySikatan started in the area, she shared that her husband once remarked, “Ever since you took over the farm, you have always been present in Palaysikatan activities.”

For Espiritu, learning is an important aspect that everyone could hold, especially if it will benefit their living.

She attended the Harvest Festival because she knew she could bring home valuable learnings that she could apply to their farm. She faced significant losses in the past due to typhoon that lodged her crops leading her to harvest only 12 sacks. Now she hopes to recover from the losses she experienced in the previous planting season.

Through PalaySikatan in their area, she was able to plant NSIC Rc 218 on half of her farm and NSIC Rc 160 on the other half of her one-hectare farm. The NSIC Rc 218 (Mabango 3) is aromatic while Rc 160 (Tubigan 14) has soft eating quality. Both varieties are two of the most popular varieties in the market.

Tejada, on the other hand, planted NSIC Rc 218, and was able to harvest 92 sacks from his one hectare. He set aside 25 sacks for his family’s consumption and sold 23 sacks. He also shared some with his siblings.

For the upcoming wet season, they are willing to plant new varieties, especially those suitable for typhoons as they know it brings opportunities to improve their harvests. Their willingness to adapt comes from their experience and access to information from the project, giving them the confidence to embrace new practices.

The RCEF Seed Program is set to extend its services to the rice industry until 2031. According to Gabriel, the PalaySikatan 2.0 will enhance the adoption of location-specific technologies through collaboration with other PhilRice initiatives to refine and deploy improved technologies.

“In the succeeding years, communication strategies will also be strengthened with the RCEF Seed Strategic Communication Team. This holistic approach aims to integrate both production and agro-enterprise aspects, completing the rice value chain,” Grabriel added.

Events like Harvest Festival showcase the grit of farmers who progressively seek ways to refine their lives through farming. This reflects how farmers, regardless of age, recognize the importance of seeking change.