President Marcos is hoping that the palay that would be harvested from a rice paddy art in Ilocos Norte featuring his face and his administration's "Bagong Pilipinas" tagline would taste good and not bitter.

Marcos made the light statement as he was praising this year's rice paddy art project at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac, Ilocos Norte on Monday, Sept. 11.

"I was teasing the students, I said I hope the palay, yung palay na aanihin ninyo sa mukha ko, I hope masarap ang lasa, baka ang lumabas nyan mapait, kailangan n'yo baguhin (that you will be harvesting from my face would taste good, and not bitter because you might have to redo it)," the President said as he was concluding his remarks during the unveiling ceremony.

He was, however, quick to add that regardless of the outcome, the university and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) would be able to figure out necessary steps to be done.

"But I don't think it’s going to be a problem. MMSU will figure it out. PhilRice will figure it out," he said.

During his speech, the Chief Executive was citing how the country, particularly with institutes like the MMSU and PhilRice,  has demonstrated its understanding of agricultural products cultivation through showcasing rice paddy art annually since 2018.

Marcos stressed that while the project was "very entertaining," it also signified the development being done in the agriculture sector through research and development.

"Since 2018, we have seen the successful collaboration of MMSU and the PhilRice to the rice fields that you have turned into canvasses. And through this partnership, the nation has also seen the novel rice production systems and technologies that we can pursue in the years to come," he said.

"It is particularly important, of course it’s very entertaining to see your picture, drawn out on a rice field. But, what it demonstrates— and it is a very kind gesture but what it demonstrates— is how much it is we already know about the cultivation of rice and other agri products," he added.

The Chief Executive also commended MMSU for coming up with "exemplary" research, saying " we have seen how much improvement and knowledge we have gained over the many years that we have been doing here."

This year’s rice paddy art features Marcos' image and the administration’s "Bagong Pilipinas" tagline which aims to support the government’s goal of achieving food security and improving the agriculture sector.

Started in 2018, the project is a collaboration between the  MMSU and PhilRice to pay tribute to exemplary Filipinos who contribute to the development of the country’s agriculture and nation-building.  

It also promotes agri-tourism and showcases various rice production technologies in the province.

According to MMSU, the rice paddy art project also serves as a continuing effort to encourage the youth in pursuing agriculture-related careers.