Summer in Cagayan is a Golden Time

Summer is a golden time in Cagayan, despite the fact that extreme heat usually bakes the province up. For several times already, the hottest temperature has been recorded in Tuguegarao, the province's capital. But the dry spell is often overlooked, particularly at the beginning of the summer when the harvest season for rice crops usually begins. During this time, majority of the fields turn gold as the rice crops ripen.

The sun becomes the people's bestfriend because they need it to dry the crops before these are sold to the market. Sundried rice grains are more expensive compared to crops that are sold straight after harvesting. This is because dried rice grains are already ready to be milled. Fresh or non-dried grains meanwhile gets a lower market value as these are usually heavier because yes, they're not yet dried.

During this time, too, as the crops were already harvested, the rice field beside our house turns into a barren land where fowls eat what's left of the crops and where kids in the neighborhood play.

In this part of the country, many celebrations such as weddings and Christening take place during summer as people have money to spare. Such a golden time really.