Rice Science Museum opens

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    After performing the “hugop” (launching ceremony), the Ifugao tribesmen demonstrate in a section of the Rice Science Museum of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, the use of the “luhung” and “lalu” in pounding the heirloom rice harvested from the rice terrace.

    The Ifugaos, who have a long history of rice culture in their rice terraces, were special guests during the inauguration of the museum. Photo by Elmo Roque

    SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ –
    Deeper appreciation of rice production in the country since more than 2,000 years ago can be experienced by the public through a look-see, or even exploration, of the Rice Science Museum at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) here.

    Pieces of material culture, from the past and present and from different locations in the country, about the nation’s staple food, from production to cooked rice, are on display in the 320-meter square space in the original administration building of the agency here.

    The museum formally opened its door to the public recently after its inauguration which featured a launching ceremony called hugop participated in by a group of Ifugao tribesmen. “They are not only for seeing but also for touching and for trying them for better appreciation,” said Diadem Gonzales- Esmero, museum curator.

    “It serves as our springboard in building a Rice Science Exploratorium that we hope to accomplish five years from now,” she added. She said there is undeniable value in establishing a rice science museum. It promotes rice history and its cultural importance, influences generations of Filipinos to appreciate rice science on a different light, and encourages farming communities to practice modern rice farming technologies.

    “In the meantime, we may call this museum as a “mini-exploratorium” in rice science,” she added. Easily, the centerpiece of the museum is the Ifugao rice culture which is described as the best representation of rice culture in the country with its backdrop of the rice terraces and farm tools and equipment, like the batawel (for carrying the harvest), galud (for digging), panuptop (taking down soil from the terraces), hukikud (dibbles), ganulang (for harvesting), luhung and lalu (mortar and pestle), and heirloom rice harvests, among others.

    The museum also has sections for lowland farming that shows plow and harrow, singkaw (yoke), kalabaw (carabao) and kareta (sled) with loads of sacks of palay, windmill, a protype of a windmill, and others; modern farming, biodiversity that depicts the diverse life forms in the rice fields, anatomy of rice kernel, rice ecosystem, rice art, rice food, rice life, rice environment, and rice technologies, among others.

    Baguio-based artist Roger Vibal, who worked as consultant in the establishment of the museum, put up various forms of art that show the connections of wood and rice and bamboo and rice.

    Esmero said Dr. Eufemio Rasco Jr, PhilRice executive director, readily approved the plan and its development to serve as a learning experience, better understanding, and deeper regard for this product of the land and the farmers’ toils that provide for life’s sustenance.

    She said Rasco has already approved a plan to expand the museum in a one-hectare area to become a better “exploratorium” site with various distinct sections that will provide deeper experience in the science of rice.

    “It will remind us that rice is more than food. It is feed, energy, employment. The rice farm is production-base for high value crops, livestock, poultry, fish, algae. Rice production is part of our culture,” she said. During the inauguration of the museum, 21 Ifugao tribesmen, led by Mumbaki Pablo Kimayong, also provided a briefing about rice culture and production in the rice terraces built more than 2,000 years ago.

    They were accompanied by Roscoe Kalaw, head of the Ifugao Cultural and Heritage Office, who represented Ifugao Gov. Denis Habawel. “We invited the Ifugaos to perform the ritual,” said Renato Bajit, PhilRice senior staff who is a member of the technical support team of the national rice program which helps in the restoration of the rice terraces in Battad, Ifugao.

    “We learned that their (culture) could not just be copied or displayed without asking for their permission.” Dr. Segfredo Serrano, agriculture undersecretary who was guest during the inauguration program, said that the PhilRice museum puts in right perspective the important roles of the rice sector in the economy and society.

    “Contrary to common belief, much on the rice sector is misunderstood by the public. It is hoped that this museum can address the concerns in rice production and industry without much of the sentimentality but instead of realities and challenges faced by the sector, rice farmers, its industry consumers and its place in society, culture and our common future,” Serrano said.

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