Race for rice apps (IRRI-Smart Bigas Hackathon)

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and SMART Communications are holding Bigas Hackathon 10-11 November in Los Baños as one of the activities prepared by IRRI for Rice Awareness Month.

The Hackathon is open to computer programmers, software developers, graphic designers, interface designers, enthusiasts, or anyone who thinks their genius could help make rice research a little better.

"Here, participants get to apply their highly specialized skills in addressing technological challenges that extension officers, agricultural scientists, rice farmers, or consumers face," says V. Bruce J. Tolentino, IRRI deputy director general for communications and partnerships.

Challenges might include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Develop a revolutionary, completely new, or groundbreaking solution for making different varieties of rice available to farmers;
- Develop a rice consumer app that will provide users with information, such as, what rice varieties are available in the market, facts about brown rice, or nutrient content;
- Create an online rice game;
- Speed up IRRI survey data processing and improve storage;
- Enhance IRRI's processes or procedures;
- Design a digital moisture meter for rice (keeping moisture in check helps rice keep longer in storage)

The challenges list keeps growing, but the one goal is to have better solutions for rice stakeholders. 

"We’re looking for web and mobile apps to help solve some of the toughest problems we face in rice research, ranging from complex computational problems to the creative use of games and social networking," says Marco van den Berg, chief information officer at IRRI.

"The Hackathon strengthens IRRI's efforts to build a platform of digital tools for rice sector players—farmers, extension agents, entrepreneurs, and government managers," adds Dr. Tolentino. "We hope that it will also be an opportunity for ‘hackers’ to have fun while applying their IT skills to solve real world problems."

Join the BigAs Hackathon by registering for free via SMART sign-up. Awards are: Best Game App, Best Research Data Collection App, Best Farmer InfoTechnology App, and Most Innovative App/Special Jury Award. Each member of a winning team will receive a Samsung Galaxy Pocket and Smart Bro Plug-it.

The activity will take place at the IRRI Library in Los Baños, Laguna, from 11 a.m. of 10 November to 2 p.m. of 11 November.


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Local community gets cosmetology training for livelihood

The Host Country and Community Relations Office sponsored Ganda Mo, Hanapbuhay Ko, a livelihood training course for women of Los Baños and Bay, the two towns that host the IRRI headquarters.

The 5-day (22-26 October 2012) skills training on basic cosmetology covered use of beauty tools, cutting hair for men and women, manicure, pedicure, footspa, hair perming, hot oil treatment, and hair coloring and highlighting, and was held for women who were interested in enhancing their livelihoods or add to their income.

The training was held in partnership with the Ang-Hortaleza Foundation Inc. (A-H, formerly Splash Foundation) and is being held for the sixth time. A-H Foundation provided the trainers and cosmetology kits.

Sixty-one women finished the course, after which they were exhorted to ponder over four important habits: making decisions based on values of diligence, perseverance, family, and honesty; managing time and financial resources; having positive goals; and continuously learning and applying new skills.

Those who finished the course had the opportunity to apply their new skills through Libreng Gupit (free haircut) activity held at the evacuation center at Bambang Elementary School, Los Baños.



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UPLB celebrates 94th Loyalty Day

Close to a hundred IRRI employees celebrated with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) alumni by joining the annual Loyalty Day parade on 10 October. Deputy Director General for Communications and Partnerships V. Bruce J. Tolentino led the IRRI contingent.

The Loyalty Day recalls events from 10 October 1918, when the former UP College of Agriculture, from the dean down to the last laborer, volunteered en masse for the Philippine National Guard to defend the country against aggressors. UPLB has since devoted the month of October for the commemoration of this valor.


Students, faculty members, staff, alumni, and members of civic organizations, surrounding barangays, schools, and various institutions in Los Baños come together every year for the annual parade in the customary spirit of Loyalty Day.


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IRRI holds 'olympics' for local emergency preparedness trainees

IRRI hosted the Neighborhood Emergency Service Team (NEST) Olympics, with participants from 6 barangays in Los Baños and Bay, on 13 October.

The one-day Olympics served as a refresher course and test for current NEST trainees on various emergency skills. Events included medical response, carrying an accident victim, and fire-fighting response ("pila balde").


The Barangay Sto. Domingo Team from Bay won, with barangays San Antonio (Bay) and Tagumpay in second and third places.

Deputy Director General for Communications and Partnerships (DDG-CP) V. Bruce J. Tolentino awarded the trophies to the winning teams. Los Baños Vice-Mayor Josephine Sumangil-Evangelista was present during the awarding ceremony.

IRRI's Host Country and Community Relations Office and Safety and Security Services office organized the NEST training, which started in January 2012 and will continue until December 2013. It is being held with support from the United Parcel Services (UPS). Facilitators came from the Emergency Research Center, Inc.

The NEST training is intended to strengthen and improve the preparedness of members of IRRI' host communities in case of emergency and help them avoid crime and terrorism, prevent fire incidents, and learn the use of basic firefighting equipment. Trainees thus contribute to the safety and security of the community and help save lives.

During a major emergency, large numbers of victims, failure of communication, traffic, and road blockages will prevent victims from accessing essential emergency services on time. People will have to rely on one another for immediate life-saving and life-sustaining needs. Under these conditions, family members, schoolmates, fellow employees, and neighbors will naturally try to help each other; emergency skills and preparedness are thus very important.


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Suhay announces art contest winners

Suhay, a charity group led by spouses of IRRI staff, held an artwork contest for children of local and international staff in late September. The winners have been announced, thus:

In first place is "Simbang Gabi" (above) by Jeril Matthew Belen, son of Marlyn Belen (NPR), with a cash prize of Php 2,500.

The others are, in second place, Junior Maunahan, son of Aileen Maunahan (SSD) (Php 1,500); and three honorable mentions for a cash prize of Php 1,000 each—Kathleen Riz Faye Adriano, daughter of Lolit Adriano (CESD), Iman Ismail, daughter of Abdel Ismail (CESD), and Susan Li, daughter of Tao Li (CESD).

Belen's winning drawing is a colorful depiction of the 9-day early morning masses held during Christmastime in the Philippines. See all artworks.

Prizes can be claimed from Judy Buresh of HRS.


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IRRI holds health education and medical mission for local community

To help lower the incidence of common illnesses and increase health awareness and good practices among local residents who are of low income, IRRI's Host Country and Community Relations Office conducted its eighth Community Health Education and Medical Mission in Barangay Maahas in Los Baños, Laguna on 28 September 2012.


The medical team, led by Mary Agnes Motril of the Philippine Army General Hospital, provided counseling on wellness among the elderly, basic hygiene, and nutritional care for mothers and children.

IRRI provided free vitamins and medicine for common ailments such as upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, skin diseases, and allergies.


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IRRI staff help raise aid for flood victims during local festival

IRRI employees led by IRRI Deputy Director General for Communications and Partnerships V. Bruce J. Tolentino joined Los Baños' walk-for-a-cause that had the theme, Mga nasalantang kababayan, ating damayan, on 17 September.


The foundation of the municipality of Los Baños, Laguna, is commemorated every September with a week-long celebration, usually opened by a grand parade, Bañamos, that is participated in by various organizations and civil agencies.

On its 397th anniversary in 2012, a walk-for-a-cause was held instead of the traditional grand parade. Proceeds from the walk will be used to help those affected by the flooding caused by the "Habagat rains" and Typhoon Gener in July. More than 1,000 families are still staying in evacuation centers or tent cities as floodwaters have not receded in some areas.

During the program, IRRI was recognized for its active participation and response to the emergency and relief operations and other continuing partnerships with the Los Baños disaster response and risk reduction committee.

IRRI's Host Country and Community Relations Office continues to organize and facilitate donations, feeding programs, rehabilitation, and livelihood activities for affected residents. 


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