Fractured Gem

by Abbie Christel Esguerra

As the scorching sunlight becomes too much to bear, the cacao trees seem to turn lifeless and bare. The undeniable need for rain becomes a desire for all. While the farmers harvest the fruits, it hits their hands like precious gems. But as they examine the fruits closely, they begin to wonder—“Can something so precious survive without what it desires?”

The city of Davao has been consistently named as the “Chocolate Capital” of the Philippines. The perfect balance of humidity and atmosphere became a reason why their cacao trees had blossomed perfectly.

Donna Margallo is a hardworking cacao farmer who used to be a housewife and was dependent on her husband’s income. “Our goal is to establish our own cacao farm in the coming years so that we can apply what we learned in our own farm.” Donna shared. She was always happy to farm as she had always wanted to do it. Her perseverance and love for her work became the sole reason why she kept doing it.

Chocolate is not only a product of cacao but also a product of hard work, perseverance, and love for work. It has always been a favorite of many. A bite of its sweet, creamy, and nutty flavor can easily brighten up one's bitter mood. But what if the reason for bitterness is the so called gem itself?

As the weather began to turn extreme and unpredictable, the lives of the cacao farmers started to change as well. Their farm that was once full of lush and vibrant trees became dull.

“Recently there was El Niño. Less water, less rain.” The founder of Cacao Culture, Kenneth Reyes-Lao, said.

The extreme drought affected the production and output of the fruits. This became the turning point of their lives.

The sweetness of the gem their city had once carried was now getting bitter fragments little by little.

“Around March, April, and May, there was this really big harvest, but it kept on raining.” Rex Puentespina, a farmer and a chocolate maker from Malagos Chocolates, stated.

As the rain kept pouring, the hope of the farmers was slowly being washed by the painful reality—a reality that they never dreamed of.

The Philippines has almost 80k farmers dependent on cacao farming. 78% of total production came from the Davao Region. Climate change greatly affects the cacao industry. If no solutions are made, it may disappear, and so will Donna’s and the others’ source of income.

Production decline means that farmers will have less income to use in their farms as they will prioritize food and everyday necessities. When this happens, the cacao trees are vulnerable to diseases, which results in fewer fruits that may cause them to look for another job until no farmers are left.

Climate change has been around for many years, but that does not mean everyone should be used to it. Its unpredictable and extreme weather has a negative impact not only on the environment but also on humanity. If people do not work together to minimize it, then it can lead to a permanent change in our lives.

In the end, the chocolate was never bitter.

For it was once a gem, until climate change began to leave a bitter fracture.

As the never-ending rainfall becomes too much to bear, the cacao trees seem to shake and snap. The undeniable need for the rainfall to stop was all they longed for. While the farmers harvest the fruits, it sits on their hands like fragmented gems. And as they examine it closely, they begin to ponder—"Can something so precious survive when what its desires become too much?"#