MANILA, Philippines – Many still look down on Agriculture students as if their field is inferior, yet 22-year-old Eddie Fernandez is determined to prove that this backbone of the nation deserves far more respect.
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| Photo courtesy: Eddie Fernandez |
“Yes, Agriculture! Hindi Agriculture Lang!” he asserts, capturing the pride and frustration of countless students who are tired of being underestimated.
Fernandez exclusively shared his story to The Summit Express, hoping to inspire others and highlight the true value of the profession.
As the son of farmers from Hacienda Conchita in San Dionisio, Iloilo, Fernandez grew up witnessing both the dignity and the hardship of rural life.
He recalls how painful it was to hear people belittle his course, saying, “It often pains me that many people still look down on Agriculture and Agriculture students, as if our program is inferior to other professions.”
Despite limited resources, his parents made education a priority for him and his seven siblings, planting the discipline that carried him through years of academic excellence.
Fernandez graduated with honors in high school and later pursued a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Agronomy at Capiz State University – Pilar Satellite College.
He completed his degree as Magna Cum Laude, proving wrong those who once dismissed Agriculture as an “easy path.”
To strengthen his foundation, he earned his National Certificate (NC) II in Organic Agriculture Production, recognizing the urgent need for sustainable, science-based methods in Philippine farming.
In college, he grew not only as a student but also as a leader, serving as editor-in-chief of the school publication and later becoming one of the Top 10 Outstanding Students of Capiz.
He continued writing during the pandemic, joining competitions, earning certificates, and eventually contributing to a published book, using literature to uplift stories like his own.
His journey, however, was built on grit, recalling days of eating rice with “toyo,” going to school without “baon,” and taking exams on an empty stomach.
His perseverance paid off when he became one of the 6,678 passers of the November 2025 Agriculturist Licensure Exam (ALE), conquering a deeply technical and demanding board many still underestimate.
“Agriculture is not ‘just planting,’” he stresses, emphasizing its foundation in research, diagnostics, innovation, and national food security.
Fernandez hopes that his story will remind Filipinos that Agriculture is not inferior but essential, declaring boldly, “Agriculture is nation-building; Agriculture is life.”
— The Summit Express