From the rice of Isabela, Ramon “Mon” Aguilar could see nothing but endless paddies under the hot sun. Farming had been his way of life since he was a child planting, harvesting, and helping his father tend carabaos. But despite the hard work, there were seasons when they barely broke even. Mon dreamed of a future where his labor could actually secure his family’s needs.
One evening, while scrolling through his cousin’s Facebook post, Mon read about an agency hiring dairy farm workers for New Zealand. The salary seemed like a miracle compared to what he earned in the Philippines. He applied, went through weeks of training, and eventually found himself boarding a plane for the first time in his life.
When he arrived in Waikato, Mon was greeted by rolling green pastures, herds of healthy cows, and a cool breeze that felt worlds away from the tropical heat back home. His job was clear assist in milking, feed the herd, clean equipment, and maintain the farm’s overall operations. It sounded simple enough, but the reality was far more challenging.
He woke up before dawn to prepare the milking machines, guiding the cows into the shed in an orderly manner. The machines were high-tech compared to anything he’d seen before automated systems that could measure milk output, detect illness, and clean themselves. Mon had to learn quickly, both to keep pace with the fast-moving routine and to avoid costly mistakes.
The physical demands were intense. There were rainy mornings when the mud felt like quicksand, making it hard to push heavy feed carts. On some days, the biting cold made his fingers numb as he fixed fences or hauled hay bales. But Mon stayed motivated by the thought of his wife and two kids back in the Philippines, whose education and future now depended on his work abroad.
Over time, Mon developed a rhythm. He became adept at handling cattle, learned pasture management techniques, and even drove tractors for feeding and mowing. His Kiwi supervisor, impressed with his dedication, began training him for more responsibilities, including checking herd health and monitoring calving seasons.
The local community welcomed him warmly. He attended Filipino gatherings during weekends, where they shared adobo, pancit, and stories of home. He also made friends with local farmers who taught him tips on herd nutrition and weather forecasting. The camaraderie made the long hours feel less lonely.
After three years, Mon had saved enough to renovate his family’s house, pay off debts, and lease a small piece of farmland back in Isabela. Using the knowledge he gained in New Zealand, he helped his brother set up a small dairy operation in the Philippines introducing better feeding systems and record keeping for milk production.
When Mon renewed his contract for another three years, he no longer saw himself as just a laborer. He was a skilled dairy farmer, equipped with international experience, and determined to use it to uplift both his family and community.
New Zealand had taught him that farming was more than just hard work it was about using innovation, patience, and care to create sustainable success. And while his journey had started with a dream of earning more, it became a mission to bring the best of what he learned back home.
