Microsoft Founder Bill Gates was in Laguna for a Confidential Visit at IRRI

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Inquirer.net reports that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently visited the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Laguna according to the online news reliable sources.
  The American philanthropist arrived at 8 a.m. of April 7 Tuesday at the IRRI headquarters aboard a private helicopter and left after a two-hour “confidential visit.” 
  The rice institute’s spokesperson would not deny nor confirm the visit after IRRI was requested for comments.   The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation supports the research and development of IRRI’s Golden Rice, a genetically manipulated rice variety that contains beta carotene."

It is either strange or admirable for the Microsoft founder for being too silent and low profile about his visit to the Philippines.

We all know how popular Bill Gates is and he should have been top news which is why it was surprising that only Inquirer was able to pick up on this news.

Bigas2Hack : The 2nd Bigas Hackathon for IRRI

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"This is one of noblest event in hackathon ever staged. In constant admiration to the Smart DevNet team and partners putting this together." - Diego Jose Ramos

The Bigas2Hack is the second Bigas Hackathon organized by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Smart Devnet. The hackathon seeks to develop technology that helps rice farmers and rice researchers to contribute to poverty reduction and food security.

The event was held again at the IRRI grounds in Laguna where several teams battled it out for the best rice-related program that can be very useful for IRRI and its goals.

"Bigas2Hack is the sequel to the 2012 BigasHack organized by IRRI and the Smart Developer Network. The aim is to attract apps and web developers from the Philippine developer community to the International Rice Research Institute at Los Baños, Laguna to develop tech-based solutions to agriculrural challenges. IRRI provides the venue, facilities, agri challenges, SMART Devnet manages the hackathon. At the end of the hack, teams are judged and winners will be chosen."

IRRI Pays Tribute to Women in Rice Farming

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The International Rice Research Institute honored the women who made breakthroughs in the rice farming industry as it welcomed lady farmers around the country and overseas in a special day at its headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna recently.

IRRI Board Chairwoman Emerlinda Roman welcomed the delegates. Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Puyat and PCW Administrative Chief Ana Liza Ragos also graced the event and gave opening remarks.

IRRI Deputy Director General Bruce Tolentino gave a simple talk about IRRI’s research agenda to cap the first part of the event.

IRRI Partners with PhilRice and National Nutrition Council in Kanin Get It Promoting More Nutritious Rice

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Brown Rice is essentially healthier and more nutritious than white rice.

"Brown Rice has more vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), and B3 (niacin) than white rice because 60 to 80% of the said vitamins gets loss during milling.

There is also an estimated loss of 40% manganese, 60% phosphorus, 40 to 75% dietary fiber, 70 to 90% fat, and 15% protein."

But why do we patronize the latter rather than the former?

IRRI Riceworld Museum and Learning Center : Everything About Rice

There's this great museum that you can find in Los Banos, Laguna and its located at the premises of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). They call it the RiceWorld Museum and Learning Center where it showcases everything about rice, rice and rice.

I was at IRRI for two days attending an event sponsored by them and a Telecoms company (SMART), and had the opportunity to wander around their impressive museum. The collection of old equipment and tools that can be found at the museum were fascinating and quite a historical experience.