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16/12/2025
High in the mountains of northern Philippines lie the Ifugao Rice Terraces — carved patiently into stone and soil over two thousand years ago. To Filipinos, these terraces are not merely agricultural marvels; they are proof of harmony between human effort and nature.
Built without modern machinery, the terraces follow the natural contours of the land, fed by an ancient irrigation system sourced from forest streams above. Generations of Ifugao families have maintained them through ritual, community labour, and inherited knowledge.
Filipinos take pride in the fact that these terraces were shaped not to conquer the mountain, but to cooperate with it. Each level represents restraint, wisdom, and respect for balance
In a rapidly changing world, the terraces stand as quiet teachers — reminding the nation that progress does not always mean speed. Sometimes, it means knowing how to stay rooted while time moves on.
Rajat Chandra Sarmah
Guwahati, Assam, India
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