Treasures in Art and Rice
Channel: International Rice Research Institute
Date: 2015-05-20

In a special gathering on 14 May 2015 at the National Museum of the Philippines, two large paintings by National Artist Vicente Manansala were elevated from Important Cultural Properties to National Cultural Treasures—the first Manansalas to gain such status. Since 1962 and until recently, these paintings had been on proud display at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI; http://irri.org) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna.

In the evening event Treasures in Art and Rice, the IRRI Manansalas and a special selection of heirloom rice varieties from the mountainous Cordilleras of northern Philippines were featured alongside each other—the paintings unveiled in their new home, the museum's IRRI Hall; and heirloom rice as tasty dishes whipped up by five world-class chefs.

Philippine heirloom rice varieties are being studied and promoted through the Heirloom Rice Project, a joint initiative of the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) and IRRI.

The paintings, by National Artist Vicente S. Manansala, were commissioned by IRRI soon after its founding in 1960.

Read more: http://irri-news.blogspot.com/2015/05/rare-rice-and-art-honored-as-national.html

See an additional video on heirloom rice: https://youtu.be/blU9b3cQvoY