Written by Dr Bienvenido O Juliano   Rice is the staple food of half the world. It has a highly digestible starch and good- quality protein among the cereals. Its oil is rich in linoleic acid and unsaponifiable matter (lipid antioxidants). Rice is hypoallergenic (gluten-free), although atopic dermatitis from rice albumin/globulin allergen has been reported in Japan and the US. Eating and cooking quality of rice depends on starch properties: […]

Written by Jaime A Manalo IV   It is no secret that unhealthy lifestyle is key culprit to major fatal diseases in the Philippines and the world over.  From smoking, improper diet, and lack of physical activity—in years, signs of diseases will surface, from reversible to irreversible, all hostile to life. If lifestyle has a lot to do with the demise of humans, it is by no means a hopeless […]

Written by Charisma Love B Gado   In our pre-conquest world, rice was harvested with minimum disturbance so as not to scare away or stir the wrath of the spirits that reside in the staple’s stalks and grains. This tradition and belief still live today among the Bontoks in mt. province. The research of Filomeno V. Aguilar Jr. published in 2005 by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies revealed that […]

Written by Andrei B Lanuza   Most westerners look at rice simply as a side dish. But Asians, like Filipinos, view rice as the center of the meal around which other foods such as meat and vegetables gravitate. This explains why the typical diet of Asians has less saturated fats that are usually found in meat-based diets. Rice is nutritious, but… Is rice by itself nutritious? Many nutritionists believe so. […]

Written by Mervalyn G Oplas   Should Filipinos be scared of buying rice laced with heavy metals? Study results on the increase of levels of the heavy metals arsenic, cadmium and lead in rice have already alarmed rice eaters around the world just recently. The arsenic scare that started in November 2012, followed by lead and cadmium in April and May 2013, were attributed to contamination from the environment. These […]

Written by Maritha C Manubay   “The world is losing its capability of feeding itself,” said Dr. Ricardo Orge, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Director for Climate Change. Philippines and Japan are two different countries (in terms of people, culture, economy, and geography, among others), but they have one thing in common; they both strive for 100% food self-sufficiency. According to Dr. Mikio Umeda, Japan’s revered scientist, the independence and […]

Written by Maritha Manubay   The breathtaking site of the Ifugao highlands seems to exude hope for the country to attain rice self-sufficiency. Despite the promise of its vast terraces, highland farmers are constrained by cultural orientation of planting traditional rice varieties and practicing old-fashioned cultural management.  Thus, the choice between varieties that yields high but with low price or yields more but with high price remains a struggle. Aiming […]

Written by Coxiela L Cabrera   Rice prices are quite expensive. Do we have a cheaper but healthy alternative? A corn expert said mixing rice and corn is an option. It has long been known that rice is a good source of energy for the body. Most Filipinos cannot let a day pass without eating rice; it’s part of local culture to eat rice three times a day. In developing […]

Written by the Web Team   When Benigno Aquino III was proclaimed the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines, one of the major objectives he set or proclaimed is for the country to become rice self-sufficient by the end of 2013. Some sectors thought that was an “impossible dream” but the Aquino administration strongly believed that rice self-sufficiency can be achieved at the end of this year. President […]

Written by Alfred Franco T Caballero   Many people will swear to love one spouse in their lifetime but Alfredo Roble swears he will love hybrid rice even in his next life. “Mamatay man ako at mabuhay uli, hybrid pa din ang itatanim ko!”was Roble’s impassioned words during his presentation during the 1st National Hybrid Rice Congress at the Philippine Rice Research Institute in Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva […]