Following the reveal of the "MMSU Going ASEAN" official design last August 24, 50 Bachelor of Science in Agriculture students gathered today, September 15, for a technical orientation to prepare for the hands-on field establishment of the university's 9th annual Rice Paddy Art. Jointly organized by the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) Extension Directorate Office, the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD), and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the living artwork celebrates MMSU’s expanding regional reach as part of the ongoing countdown to its Golden Foundation Anniversary.

The briefing introduced participants to the precise agricultural techniques required to bring the complex design to life using a combination of IR 1552 purple rice and standard green rice. To achieve a striking three-dimensional visual effect when viewed from a specific angle, the living display relies on anamorphosis—a specialized projection method. Students were instructed on navigating a color-coded field grid, using white and red markers to direct where each rice variety belongs while maintaining a strict 20cm x 20cm spacing with two to three seedlings per hill.

Highlighting the intersection of culture and technical skill, CAFSD Dean Dr. Charlie B. Batin reminded the student participants that agriculture functions as an art form just as much as a science. To guarantee synchronized execution across every row, PhilRice representative John Mark Bumanglag and MMSU extension staff Jerold Labii outlined field coordination strategies and assigned students to specialized roles as planters and field guides.

Field planting is set to begin tomorrow, September 16, and will run through September 18 directly in front of the MMSU Administration Building. Once fully grown, the completed paddy art will serve as a major visual landmark and symbolic highlight among the featured events for MMSU’s upcoming Golden Anniversary celebrations.

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