Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday presented the rice variety developed by Filipino breeders —NSIC Rc 218 SR, or Mabango 3, known commercially as Dinorado—won the silver medal at the World’s Best Rice 2025 Awards, during the press conference in DA.

Mabango 3 was developed by the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Institute (PhilRice), edged out only by rice varieties from Cambodia and Vietnam, which shared the gold in a rare tie. The contest drew 30 varieties, mostly from heavyweight exporters such as Thailand, India, and Australia—making the Philippine win even more remarkable.

Bred by a team led by Thelma F. Padolina and Emily C. Arocena, it was approved by the National Seed Industry Council in 2009 as a premium rice variety. Mabango 3 was designed for tenderness, flavor, and an aroma that can elevate even the humblest viand into a fine-dining experience. Those traits captivated the judge, Chef Robert Nieto—better known as Chef Buttercup—the reigning “Lord of Rice” crowned in California last September.

Over the past 40 years, PhilRice has developed 121 varieties in its quest to develop high-yielding, quality and climate-resilient rice. ### (Photos by Jay Morales, DA-OSEC Comms)