Sunday, September 29, 2013

Agri Econ 10: On Rice Price Spikes

Recently, there was a big issue regarding the big jump in local rice prices, between P2 to P5 per kilo jump in a matter of days and weeks. I think this issue would surface every 3-5 years on average. In 2008, it was a big issue too, like this article in the Inquirer on April 08, 2008.

Then I found this in my old emails. I composed this in and sang this with my PDE (Program in Development Economics, UPSE) batchmates during the PDE 2008 Reunion, UPSE, Diliman, QC, May 7, 2008.

Hot Legs
By Rod Stewart, 1970s
Hot Rice *
By Nonoy Oplas, 2008

Who's that knocking on my door
It's gotta be a quarter to four
Is it you again coming 'round for more
Well you can love me tonight if you want
But in the morning make sure you're gone
I'm talkin' to you
Hot legs, wearing me out
Hot legs, you can scream and shout
Hot legs, are you still in school
I love you honey.

Gotta most persuasive tongue
You promise all kinds of fun
But what you don't understand
I'm a working man
Gonna need a shot of vitamin E
By the time you're finished with me
I'm talking to you
Hot legs, you're an alley cat
Hot legs, you scratch my back
Hot legs, bring your mother too
I love you honey

Imagine how my daddy felt
in your jet black suspender belt
Seventeen years old
He's touching sixty four

You got legs right up to your neck
You're making me a physical wreck
I'm talking to you
Hot legs, in your satin shoes
Hot legs, are you still in school
Hot legs, you're making me a fool
I love you honey

Hot legs, making your mark
Hot legs, keep my pencil sharp
Hot legs, keep your hands to yourself
I love you honey
Hot legs, you're wearing me out
Hot legs, you can scream and shout
Hot legs, you're still in school
I love you honey

Who’s that knockin on Gloria
And the traders of Divisoria
It’s the poor again, looking for more rice
Well you can buy cheap Gloria rice
But today your quota is gone
I’m talking to you
Hot rice, wearing me out
Hot rice, you can rally and shout
Hot rice, indelible ink
I love my lugaw.

Arthur Yap’s persuasive tongue
He promised imports from Vietnam
From India and Thailand
Two million tons, man
Gotta pay thousand dollars per ton
Just to save the ass of Malacanang
I’m talking to you
Hot rice, no more zTE
Hot rice, you save the FG
Hot rice, bye Jun Lozadi
I love kamote.

Imagine how the traders felt
When the NFA and NBI came
Harassment and raids
Accused of hoarding

They got armalites up to their neck
They’re giving us a taxpayers wreck
I’m talking to you
Hot rice, under the hot sun queues
Hot rice, are you still in the streets
Hot rice, cute press releases
I love kamote.

Hot rice, NFA losses
Hot rice, keep the taxes high
Hot rice, import monopoly
I love kamote.
Hot rice, you’re wearing me out
Hot rice, you can rally and shout
Hot rice, you’re still in the streets
I love kamote.


See also:
Agri Econ 6: My Treehouse, August 16, 2010 
Agri Econ 7: Bt Eggplants vs Environmentalism, December 20, 2010 
Agri Econ 8: On Rice Price Stabilization, January 16, 2013 

Agri Econ 9: On Agrarian Reform and Agri Credit, April 29, 2013

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