Imagine squeezing hundreds of lemons by hand every day, knowing that on each hard-earned drop relies your family’s future.
This was the reality for 78 Kankana-ey farmers in the remote mountains of Sitio Bao-angan, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. Far from any city, these resilient members of the Bao-angan Rural Improvement Club (RIC) have turned lemon farming into more than just survival—it’s their tradition, heritage, and source of community pride.
But years of manual processing, limited equipment, and isolation from markets kept their dreams small and their incomes smaller.
Read on to discover how these farmers turned their struggles into success, and how their journey from hand-squeezing lemons to modern production is creating ripples of hope throughout their mountain village.
Growing Lemons in the Mountains
Lemon farming in Bao-angan began with a leap of faith. “At first, there were no lemons here in Comillas South. We bought them from Tuba, Benguet—150 pieces in all. When we planted them, they grew and bore fruit after three years,” Alma recalls. This patient beginning laid the foundation for what would become a vital community livelihood.
However, growing lemons in such rugged terrain brought its own set of hurdles. Soil fertility was difficult to maintain, and accessing fertilizers was often a struggle. Julieta, another dedicated farmer, shares, “Sometimes, we struggle to buy the fertilizers needed.” These obstacles made it hard for the farmers to ensure healthy crops and good harvests.
On top of these challenges, processing the lemons was a labor-intensive task. Before any support arrived, every drop of lemon juice was painstakingly squeezed by hand. Michelle, the RIC President, reflects, “We used to do everything manually, squeezing lemons by hand. It took real strength and sweat. During that time, it was quite difficult to make lemon juice.”
Despite these difficulties, the farmers pressed on—driven by hope, perseverance, and a shared dream for a better future.
When Help Arrived: The Power of the Right Tools
Everything changed with Pure Bayanihan’s “Provision of Lemon Juicer Machines and Farming Supplies for Lemon Farmers” initiative—an investment of ₱215,800 ($3,853.57). Suddenly, the community had electric and manual lemon juicers, Lemon Squeezers, Electric Power Juicers, and complete cooking sets: pots, bowls, LPG stoves, burner sets, ladles, trays, knives, basins, utensils, funnels, strainers, and pitchers. The 102nd Maneuver Company RMFB1 helped bridge the gap, making sure the right support reached the right hands.
But it wasn’t just about machines. Farmers dove into hands-on training—learning modern lemon farming techniques, sustainable agriculture, post-harvest handling, and the secrets of turning lemons into juice, jams, preserves, and even essential oils. They picked up business and marketing skills, too, blending new knowledge with old wisdom. Certified seedlings, high-quality fertilizers, and pest control solutions soon followed, and the results showed in every healthy tree and plump, golden fruit.
From Sweat to Success
The transformation was immediate and profound. “We’re so grateful to have the lemon juicer now. It’s made things so much easier for us—no more struggling to squeeze lemons by hand. With this equipment, we can make more products and work more efficiently,” Julieta says. The daily grind became a story of hope and efficiency. Income grew as lemon by-products hit the market, and families felt the change. “Life is very difficult here for us, it’s very difficult to earn a big income. We only have small incomes here, not enough for our family’s needs… This will help expand and make our lemon juice popular in other places, and hopefully we can earn a lot more income,” Michelle shares.
With these gains fueling their confidence, Bao-angan’s farmers now look beyond their mountain home, eager to build on their success and reach new horizons.
Dreaming Bigger, Reaching Farther
Armed with new tools and skills, the community dares to dream bigger. “If we make our lemon juice really well, I’m sure more people will want to buy it—and maybe we can even bring it to other places,” Alma says. Julieta adds, “We’re planning to make even more products now, and since we have the equipment, we can also help others learn how to make lemon juice. Now, we can produce more and sell our products in stores.”
The seeds of change are taking root. The community is building a revolving fund for equipment maintenance and farm inputs, keeping training and mentorship alive, and forging strong market connections. The Bao-angan Rural Improvement Club is thriving, with members taking ownership, improving record-keeping, and coming together more often as a team. Most importantly, they’re blending traditional wisdom with modern practices—adopting water-efficient irrigation and reducing chemical use—to protect both their land and their heritage for generations to come.
Eyes on the Horizon
Looking forward, the seeds of change planted by this project are set to yield a harvest that lasts for generations. The community is already putting in place smart strategies for sustainability: a revolving fund for equipment maintenance and farm inputs, ongoing training and mentorship, and building strong market connections that will open new doors long after the project ends.
But the transformation goes even deeper. The Bao-angan Rural Improvement Club is thriving, with members taking greater ownership of decisions, improving their record-keeping, and coming together more often as a unified team. These strengthened social bonds are as valuable as any tool or training.
Most importantly, the farmers are embracing sustainable agriculture—blending traditional wisdom with modern practices, adopting water-efficient irrigation, and reducing chemical use. This commitment not only protects their land but also honors their cultural heritage, ensuring that both the environment and their way of life are preserved for future generations.
With these foundations firmly in place, Bao-angan’s lemon farmers are ready to face the future with confidence, resilience, and a spirit of bayanihan—proving that when a community dreams together, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.
A Celebration of Gratitude
On March 28, 2025, the community gathered in Sitio Bao-angan, Barangay Comillas South, to celebrate. Kankana-ey farmers in traditional attire danced the Tayaw, honoring their heritage and the spirit of bayanihan that brought transformation to their village. The event recognized the accomplishments of the project beneficiaries and the vital support of Pure Bayanihan, the 102nd Maneuver Company RMFB1, and local government units.
Michelle summed up the community’s gratitude: “We feel so fortunate. Thank you so much to the RMFB1 102nd Maneuver Company—they were the bridge that connected us to Pure Bayanihan. We’re truly grateful for their help.” Julieta echoed this spirit: “Thanks to the spirit of bayanihan, Pure Bayanihan was able to reach us and give us this support. We’re really grateful.”
The Power of Partnership
This project is more than a story of new machines or new skills. It’s proof that when a community dreams together and stands together, there’s no limit to what they can achieve. As Pure Bayanihan continues its mission to create one million sustainable livelihoods, the Bao-angan lemon farmers stand as living proof: hope and bayanihan can turn even the smallest harvest into a future worth celebrating.
Join us in supporting more communities like Bao-angan. Together, we can turn hope into harvest, and dreams into reality.
For more stories of transformation and to support our mission, visit www.purebayanihan.org.
