"I know they need something that's why they need to do something. You see great hope in their eyes."

[LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET, PHILIPPINES] ▬ For first time visitors, if we say strawberry farm, they'd think it's located in Baguio. Truth is, it's not located in Baguio but in La Trinidad. Anyway, that's another story. The point is, we think purely of strawberries. The strawberry farm of La Trinidad is more than the strawberries. Here, I'll tell you why.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ A TYPICAL TOURIST-DAY SCENE IN STRAWBERRY FARM

I'd say this farm gained popularity due to its proximity to the tourist-laden city of Baguio. It's a nice, accessible option for people who want to experience things outside Baguio. But from strawberries, more things followed, appeared then became a mainstay. The following are the other faces of the Strawberry Farm.

▬ [1] Strawberry Farm as a Tourist Zone ▬

POPULARITY OF A PLACE, MOST of the time, may lead to the influx of tourists/visitors. In the strawberry farm, the scenario applies.

Just before you get close to the entrance of the strawberry farm, you may experience traffic jam and see these numerous tourist vans and private vehicles parked along the way especially during the peak season.

Just before you enter the farm, there are vendors and hawkers alluring you to buy their products—all for tourists.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ THIS VENDOR ATTRACTS TOURISTS TO TRY HIS STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ HE FLIPS HIS STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM DOWN TO ENTERTAIN TOURISTS.

Yes, you'll see girls in their minis and shades and some people with their selfie pods, digital cameras and the whole family or friends in tow as their tour guide leads them the way.

▬ [2] Strawberry Farm as Commercial Zone ▬

THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IS A big business. But from that big business, there is a micro business. I am referring to the little merchants who rely on tourists for their little business to survive.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ SHE SELLS STRAWBERRIES FOR A LIVING.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ SHE PUTS THE PRODUCES IN SMALLER BOXES.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ A VENDOR LOOKS AFTER THE PRODUCTS SHE SELLS

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ AN ARRAY OF STRAWBERRIES WITH BOTTLED GOODS IN FRONT

In the tourism industry, there is an economic activity. Both macro and micro businesses benefit. So when you see an untidy looking woman coming close to you to sell her strawberry key chains or freshly fried turon and it so happened that you're not interested, refuse politely before you raise your eyebrows and shoo them away. Hey, without you as tourist, they're not here anyway.

▬ [3] Strawberry Farm as Home to Other Crops ▬

THE STRAWBERRY FARM IS NOT actually all about strawberries as I mentioned above. Other crops are also cultivated here.

The most common alternative crop for strawberries that I noticed is the lettuce. However, I even spotted some sunflowers! If we base the land use to describe this farm, it is definitely a strawberry + lettuce farm. Sunflower comes pretty far at third.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ SEEDLINGS NURTURED

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ LETTUCES GROWN UP

▬ [4] Strawberry Farm as Place for Regional Trade Fair ▬

THE STRAWBERRY FARM HAS EVOLVED rapidly from being just a farm to a trade space giving opportunity for other people to showcase their local products/produces. You'll notice that a plethora of local products are here. Some, like the wild honey that comes from the , have space here. This place is an unorganized, spontaneous trade fair.

I even encountered vendors who came from as far as Ifugao just to harness the huge tourist market in this touristy destination. With them is a basket of green rice they even offered me to taste for free. Some sell kakanins like banana cue, turon and others.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ GREEN RICE FROM IFUGAO

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ PASSION FRUITS ARE PASSIONATELY HERE...

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ ...EVEN MARBLE POTATO, AND THAT MARVELOUS GREEN THING THERE.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ PASALUBONG ALL YOU WANT!

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ SOUVENIRS NEVER RUN DRY.

▬ [5] Strawberry Farm as Place for Hope ▬

TOURISTS COME HERE TO SATISFY their curiosity; some to just have fun. But most of the non-tourists you see here aren't here just for fun. They have a purpose. They have a motivation.

Sometimes, you see these people tilling the fields and harvesting the crops. They're not doing this for a show but because they need to do it because it's their livelihood.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ FARMERS UNDER THE HOT RAYS OF THE SUN

Sometimes, we fail to appreciate what these people do. Some tourists are even disappointed if there are vendors chasing after them or if the strawberry farm has no good view, because there are farmers in the middle, for them to take selfies. The truth is, this is their land, not ours visitors.

[LA TRINIDAD] ▬ CHILDREN SELLING FRESH LETTUCE

As I walked around the farm, I saw a group of children selling fresh lettuce. What I saw melted my heart. The first time I saw them I already knew they are banking hopes in this tourist destination.

These children will not do this job for nothing. I know they need something that's why they need to do something. You see great hope in their eyes. They surely love meeting tourists because the more tourists they see, the more chances they can sell their fresh lettuce. You know, this is no longer about trade and commerce, this is already their chance to turn the hope into a bright future. At a very young age, they can now appreciate the importance of hard work. I'd say, these children will go far. And as tourist, we can bring hope and be part of their journey in life. ▬ to be continued...

INDEX: INSIDE THIS BLOG SERIES

[UP NEXT] ▬ THIS IS ANOTHER FARM BUT THE PLANTS CAN'T BE EATEN.

► BLOG SERIES: AZALEA SUMMER GETAWAY

Up Next: The next destination is also a farm. It is less touristy. There is less crowd and the plants/crops they cultivate can not be eaten. Soon on Part 5!

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This experience was made possible through Azalea Residences Hotel in Baguio City. I was invited to experience the Azalea hospitality. My big gratitude to Azalea management.

[2] The maps I used below as well as those that appeared on tooltips are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2 | 3