By Kimberly S. Miguel, StratCom Correspondent

The facial image of Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and his “Bagong Pilipinas” governance tagline are featured in the 2023 rice paddy art co-organized by the Marcos State University and the Philippine Rice Research Institute - Batac station. At the University Extension Demonstration Area, the ceremonial transplanting was led today, August 14, by MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and PhilRice Batac OIC Director Mary Ann Baradi, along with Batac City Mayor Albert Chua. 

The event was attended by officials from the provincial government of Ilocos Norte and representatives from the National Tobacco Administration, DA-Ilocos Norte Experiment Center, Philippine Fiber Development Industry Authority, and the Department of Education - Schools Division of Batac. Some MMSU administrators, personnel, and agriculture students also joined the rice transplanting. 

By September, when the plants shall reach their early vegetative stage, the paddy art design is expected to be significantly visible.

This project aims to pay tribute to exemplary individuals who have significant contribution to agriculture in nation-building, while showcasing innovative rice production technologies and promoting agri-tourism in the province. 

Dr. Agrupis said MMSU and PhilRice have agreed to feature President Marcos in this year’s paddy art as a way of showing full support to his brand of governance, and his vision of achieving food security and reinvigorating the country’s agriculture sector. 

“Bagong Pilipinas” calls for a deep and fundamental transformation in all sectors of society, and fosters the government’s commitment towards the attainment of comprehensive policy reforms and full economic recovery in the country. 

For his part, Mayor Chua conveyed the city government’s continuous support to the rice paddy art project, highlighting its efforts in supplementing needed materials and facilities to boost farm productivity. 

Dr. Baradi explained that MMSU and PhilRice are establishing the paddy art by using IR 1552, a traditional Korean purple variety, as the paint, and the NSIC Rc 222 (Tubigan 18) as the green canvas. The latter is a variety bred released by the International Rice Research institute in 2010, which yields an average of 6.1 ton and maximum of 10 tons per hectare. It is one of the three nationally recommended varieties under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Seed Program of the Department of Agriculture. 

In creating the paddy design, the planters are applying the anamorphosis principle, a technique used in 3D art that makes a picture look distorted, but appears normal when viewed from a certain angle.

MMSU and PhilRice annually implement the rice paddy art project since 2018. Other images featured in the past were former President Ferdinand E. Marcos and the MMSU ACHIEVE agenda; former First Lady and second district congresswoman Imeda R. Marcos; Dr. Santiago R. Obien, former MMSU president and PhilRice’s first executive director; Don Mariano Marcos and 1978 (MMSU’s year of establishment); and General Artemio Ricarte, Father of the Philippine Army. (HLY/DPT, StratCom)