Written by the Web Team
PhilRice, the country’s lead in rice science and development, brings to the kids the importance of reducing rice wastage through a comic book published by the Department of Agriculture.
To be launched on Nov. 28, Bagong Bayani, a 16-page Japanese comics or manga, tells the story of a young girl who learned the value of not wasting rice the hard way. It features a collection of mythical characters and heroes who send their Sugo, a man in a bowler hat, to save the day.
Set in dark fantasy, the story opens with the cries of hunger of the “Patay-Gutom (PG),” a group of people who are in a zombie-like state. Taking charge, the Council of Gods and Heroes met at the bisara, and discuss the rise of PG. The turn of events prompted the girl not to waste rice as this heroic little act can save thousands of other children from hunger.
The launching, to be held in the Libis branch of The Old Spaghetti House, coincides with the month-long celebration of the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) this November. With the theme, Eat your Rice Right, the celebration encourages the Filipinos to eat right amount of rice and to try other sources of good carbohydrates such as white corn, sweet potato, and cassava.
Ella Lois T. Bestil, NRAM chair said the comic book aims to encourage the youth to contribute in the country’s goal of attaining rice self-sufficiency by eating just the right amount of it.
“Kids will appreciate the value of rice through Bagong Bayani, a wonderful story of enlightenment and heroism that is sure to educate, enrich, and inspire,” she said.
November was declared NRAM through Presidential Proclamation 524 to help encourage Filipinos appreciate the value of rice.
