Written by the Web Team
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) re-launched the ten-year-old Rice Science Museum with the theme, Lovelife 
with Rice during the recent 27th National Rice Research and Development Conference held in Nueva Ecija.
“This modified, redesigned science museum serves as our springboard in building a Rice Science Exploratorium that we hope to accomplish five years from now,” Diadem Gonzales-Esmero, museum curator, said.
While there are museums around the country, she said a museum is yet to be intensively dedicated to “spread the history, culture, arts and science behind the Filipinos` staple.” Collection in the re-launched museum is increased and expanded to retain its relevance in keeping the cultural heritage and in fostering human development.
“There`s undeniable value in establishing a rice science museum, especially if it will be realized into a Rice Science Exploratorium. This one of a kind museum 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,” Gonzales-Esmero said.
The museum curator said the Lovelife with Rice theme shows the intimate connection between a farmer, research and development worker, and the ordinary passer-by with rice. She said that the collections tell about the struggles of humans – from the establishment of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, green revolution, until the development of modern technologies, to improve its relationship with rice.
Currently, the museum houses old and modern farm implements, artworks, and interactives on rice structure, ecosystems, biodiversity, and crop management.
The establishment of Rice Science Exploratorium was approved in the Institute`s Board of Trustees Meeting in July. With its approval, PhilRice hopes to generate support from the private and public sector advancing the arts and culture, education, and social progress.
Dr. Segfredo Serrano, undersecretary for Policy, and Planning, Project Development, R&D, and Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (DA); Edilberto de Luna, assistant secretary for Operations and DA National Rice and Corn Program coordinator; Juliet Annanayo, vice mayor of Hungduan, Ifugao; and Roscoe Kalaw, head of Ifugao Cultural Office, graced the unveiling of the new Rice Science Museum.
