Simple habits at home, from cooking only enough rice to turning leftovers into new meals, topped a public video challenge on reducing rice wastage as the country continues to lose rice enough to feed millions of families each year.
The “Iwas Rice Aksaya Video Challenge” under the Be RICEponsible Campaign of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) featured winning videos that highlighted practical household and dining habits to reduce rice waste.
The Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute said Filipinos waste about 9.69 kilograms of cooked rice per person each year, equivalent to 542,477 metric tons of milled rice, or enough to feed 5.17 million Filipinos nationwide.
“Wasting rice is not something to be proud of. Every grain symbolizes the hard work and sacrifices of every Filipino farmer,” grand winner Ethel Marcaida of Paco, Manila said.
His entry highlighted practical tips such as cooking only the right amount of rice, washing rice properly to preserve nutrients, and ensuring that cooked rice is fully consumed.
Second placer Jamaica Jeon of Tanauan, Batangas shared tips such as storing rice properly to avoid pests, adding vinegar before steaming to prevent spoilage, turning leftover rice into other dishes, and ordering half-cup servings when dining out.
Meanwhile, third placer Erlyne Penaroyo of Lipa, Batangas emphasized adding the right amount of water and eating rice in responsible portions.
Christina A. Frediles, Be RICEponsible campaign lead, said the Be RICEponsible Campaign will continue through fun runs, contests, and awareness activities to encourage Filipinos to value rice, improve nutrition, and support farmers’ incomes.
The winning entries can be viewed on the Be RICEponsible Facebook page: (https://www.facebook.com/bericeponsible.ph).
