ESTRADA SEEKS TO INSPIRE FARMERS WITH OWN VERSION OF MAGTANIM AY DI BIRO

Former President Joseph Estrada will be launching on Monday his version of the folk song Magtanim Ay Di Biro to inspire farmers and agriculturalists this planting season. Estrada will be the special guest for the official re-launch of the radio program of Arnold Clavio on dzBB 594 at 9:45 a.m. on Monday, June 23.

Estrada has always believed that food security, along with peace and order, is the key to national development. He proved this during his term when, within a period of only one year (1999), his administration was able to bring down the inflation rate from a high of 11% (an effect of the Asian financial crisis) to just a little over 3% because of their prioritization of food security, achieving a record high farm output of 6%. "The reason for the rising prices in our country today cannot be blamed solely on the world economy," Estrada explained, "Corruption and wrong prioritization are the real causes of the current price crisis. If the current administration prioritized food security early on, as we did during my term, our people would not be starving today."

Estrada says that the lyrics of the song Magtanim Ay Di Biro (Planting Rice is Not A Joke/ Planting Rice is Never Fun) are presented in a negative light and therefore not inspiring to those who would be singing this. The original lyrics read: "Magtanim ay di biro, Maghapong nakayuko, Di naman makaupo, Di man lang makatayo." (Planting rice is not a joke; you are bent all afternoon; you cannot even sit or stand.) "Why will you be inspired to plant when the task of planting is painted out as painfully laborious, without mention at all of the advantages and benefits of farming?" Estrada emphasized.

Estrada has changed the lyrics to reflect a more positive attitude towards farming, in order to inspire the farmers and the farming community to plant and to reassure them that their contribution by means of planting is not only for themselves or for their families but for the country. Estrada's version is entitled, Kung Tayo'y Magtatanim:

Kung Tayo'y Magtatanim

Kung tayo'y magtatanim
dadami ang pagkain
giginhawa ang buhay
yayaman pa itong bayan

Magtanim, magtanim
meron kang aanihin
magtanim, magtanim
meron kang isasaing

sa kubo ka matulog
katawan mo'y lulusog
sa bukid manirahan
kay linis ng amihan

magtanim, magtanim
meron kang aanihin
magtanim, magtanim
meron kang isasaing

ang sabi ng Diyos natin
ay dapat nating sundin
ang lahat ng kakanin
sa pawis manggagaling

magtanim, magtanim
meron kang aanihin
magtanim, magtanim
meron kang isasaing

halina magsikap upang umunlad
sa bayan ay maglingkod ng tapat
kapag nagsikap tayo'y uunlad

para sa araw ng bukas
para sa araw ng bukas
para sa araw ng......
bukas.......

Roughly translated, the lyrics include a messages of optimism and nationalism: that by farming or planting, our nation will achieve progress; that through farming, our people can show their sincerity in their service to the nation; and that we must work hard for our future.

"Music is a form of entertainment but it can also inspire. Through these lyrics, I just want to somehow help and inspire our poor farmers who are going through very difficult times," Estrada said.

Estrada has always been a staunch supporter of the agricultural sector. Even as far back as when he was senator, Estrada's prioritization of agriculture was apparent: He authored two laws, one on irrigation and another on carabao propagation. These are Republic Act No. 6978 entitled An Act to Promote Rural Development by Providing for An Accelerated Program within a Ten-Year Period for the Construction of Irrigation Projects; and Republic Act 7307 entitled An Act Creating the Philippine Carabao Center to Propagate and Promote the Philippine Carabao and For Other Purposes, otherwise known as the Philippine Carabao Act of 1992.