WHEN Albert and Jobert sought permission to leave the small farm for good about a decade ago, we had a despedida complete with a videoke and a big, big prayer that their next step in life, a return to their hometown of Castillejos, Zambales, to train in welding and shipwork, would in turn lead to a decent job that would last till their retirement. I encouraged them to hurry up and sign for the training, then gave them an amount that would tide them over during the training period.

It was the kind of fond farewell that you wish were always the case with young men who leave work on the farm — a step not into the unknown but into a decent, well-paying job.

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