By Kimberly S. Miguel (Correspondent) and Ronan Punzalan (Intern)

Reaffirming their strong resolve to champion farm tourism in the province, the Mariano Marcos State University and the Philippine Rice Research Institute- Batac have started to install a rice paddy art which will feature the facial image of General Artemio Ricarte, an Ilokano hero known as the Father of the Philippine Army. A ceremonial transplanting was held at the university extension demonstration area today, August 18.

Led by MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and PhilRice-Batac OIC Manager Hazel Jane M. Orge, the rice planting was joined by the university’s research and extension personnel, agriculture faculty and students, and the rice agency staff. 

Also present in the activity were Mr. Ronald M. Rigonan, a relative of Gen. Ricarte and curator of the Ricarte National Shrine; Dr. Santiago R. Obien, senior technical adviser of the Department of Agriculture; and representatives of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte - Office of the Provincial Agriculturist. 

MMSU and PhilRice are establishing the paddy art using IR 1552, a traditional purple rice variety, and the PSB Rc 82 as green rice, one of the highest yielding rice varieties the PhilRice has produced with a maximum potential yield of 12 tons per hectare.

In creating the paddy design, the planters are applying the anamorphosis principle, a technique used in 3D art that makes a picture to look distorted, but appears normal when viewed from a certain angle. The image was adjusted to the vantage point of the viewing area and was processed into grids to determine where to plant the rice varieties on the coordinates in the field. The paddy art is expected to reveal the image of Gen. Ricarte by November this year, when the plant shall reach their early vegetative stage.

“This year’s paddy art does not only promote food security and encourage the youth to engage in agriculture, but also symbolizes our timeless heroism as Ilokanos,” expressed PSCA. 

PhilRice-Batac’s research coordinator Mary Ann Baradi, who represented Orge in the event, said the paddy art is also another way of showcasing other technologies such as the PalayCheck system, Bio-N, organic fertilizer, and the Carrageenan Plant Growth Regulator, among others. 

Other images featured in the rice paddy art of MMSU and PhilRice from 2018-2021 were former president Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr.; former first lady Imelda R. Marcos; Dr. Obien, the second MMSU president and first PhilRice executive director; and Don Mariano Marcos, after whom MMSU was named. 

Each year, a significant number of people visit the MMSU campus to take photos with the rice paddy art in the background. (JVBT/DPTJ, StratCom)