Mariano Marcos
State University

2025 Rice Paddy art features CHED Chair Agrupis

By Michael Visaya

Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), in partnership with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), unveiled this year’s rice paddy art featuring Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis and her ACHIEVE agenda today, August 22, at the MMSU Extension Demonstration Area.

The occasion honored the milestones of Dr. Agrupis’ seven-year tenure as MMSU’s 7th President (2017-2024). It was graced by distinguished guests: Dr. Dexter Buted, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA); Dr. John de Leon, PhilRice Executive Director; Dr. Ricmar Aquino, newly appointed CHED Commissioner; Ilocos Norte Senior Board Member Hon. Rafael Chua Medina, representing Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos; Dr. John B. Pascual, Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture-Region 1; and members of the Agrupis family.

Now in its 8th year, the rice paddy art highlights Dr. Agrupis’ legacy in higher education, championing academic excellence, supporting local farmers, promoting food security, and furthering initiatives in agricultural transformation. The design was realized through modern agricultural innovations, such as the PalayCheck System, the Carrageenan Plant Growth Regulator (CPGR), and the planting of two rice varieties: purple rice (IR 1552) from Korea and green rice (NSIC Rc222, known as Tubigan 18).

In her message, Dr. Agrupis expressed her gratitude to MMSU for choosing her ACHIEVE agenda to be featured in the Paddy Art. She also emphasized the support of her administration as the CHED Chairperson to the initiatives and programs of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. toward food security and providing every Filipino family with affordable rice.

“Today, we celebrate legacy, not in the positions we hold, but in the meaningful contributions we leave in the lives of people and communities. Our agenda has already been achieved in MMSU, and is now being redefined in CHED. May this Paddy Art reach a wider audience and expand nationwide as a support to the initiatives of our president”, Dr. Agrupis said. 

In the message of Governor Marcos, as delivered by Hon. Medina, she appreciated MMSU’s efforts in promoting agriculture among the youth through the rice paddy art, assuring her continued support to Ilocos Norte farmers and the agriculture sector. She noted that this was made more meaningful with CHED Chairperson Agrupis’ commitment to “serbisyo nga mapagtalkan”(reliable service).

MMSU President Virgilio Julius Manzano, Jr. lauded the achievements of Dr. Agrupis in MMSU and the entire country by championing programs to uphold the highest standard of education and supporting local farmers through research and innovation. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Mary Ann Baradi, OIC Director of DA-PhilRice Batac, provided an overview of the technology behind the art. The paddy art, now on its 46th day after it has been transplanted by the students of MMSU College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD), used a combination of rice varieties forming a vibrant green backdrop.

The artwork highlighted ACHIEVE, Dr. Agrupis’ seven-point agenda: Academic Excellence, Creative, Relevant and Innovative Research Programs; High Impact and Transformative Extension and Outreach Programs; Improved Revenue Generation and Resource Management; Expanded External Linkages and Partnerships; Vibrant and Engaging, Culturally Focused University Campus; and Effective and Efficient Management.
The first alumna to become MMSU president, Dr. Agrupis has also received various awards from the Philippine Civil Service Commission Presidential Lingkod Bayan Regional Awards, Philippine Resilience Awards for Women, Philippine Association of Research Managers, Inc., ASEAN Philippine Higher Education International Champions of Nation-Building and Sustainability, National Academy of Science and Technology, and the Department of Science and Technology.

Also present during the event were Batac City Vice Mayor Hon. Albert Chua, representing the city mayor Hon. Mark Christian “Markee” Chua; former MMSU president Dr. Santiago Obien; former Agriculture Secretary William Dar; members of the MMSU Board of Regents (BOR); SUC presidents and officials; local government officials of Ilocos Norte, officials from the regional and provincial offices of the Department of Agriculture, Philippine Rice Center, Philippine Coconut Administration, National Tobacco Administration, MMSU Philippine Carabao Center, National Irrigation Administration; MMSU administrative council members, students, and farmers from across the province

Since 2018, MMSU and PhilRice have collaborated in mounting the annual rice paddy art, featuring designs of notable leaders such as former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, former First Lady and Second District Congresswoman Imelda R. Marcos, MMSU’s first president, Dr. Santiago R. Obien, Don Mariano Marcos, General Artemio Ricarte, Senator Imee Marcos and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with his ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ campaign.