Cebu Technological University

In consortium with
Cebu City Medical Center-College of Nursing
M.J Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City

Inventor: Dr. Rodolfo Aquino

Invention: Isolated Rice Breeds

Submitted by:
Sean Patrick B. De Castro BSN 1-B
Submitted to:
Mrs. Cecile A. Sadili
I. Biography of the Inventor

Dr. Rodolfo Aquino was born to Mateo and Asuncion Aquino on September 5,
1937 in Cavite City (Wikipedia 2016). When he was 4 yrs. old, they decided to move
together to their mother’s hometown particularly in barrio San Jose, Binan, Laguna
for they feared that the Japanese forces will attack US naval forces in the city. In line
with their location, San Jose was a rice growing area before which is 35km away
from the south of Manila.

In a young age, he would go with his parents and siblings to observe them harvest
the rice of a land owner. They would harvest a portion of the field and get a part of
the harvest as their share. Together with his friends, they enjoyed sitting on the backs
of the carabaos as they herd them to a newly harvested field to graze on the rice
stubbles.

For his education; he studied in the government-ran school which was Binan
Elementary School, also studied in a privately-owned Lakeshore High School which
is also in the same location. Through the influences of his environment, he
ambitioned to study agriculture in college, and work in the village after graduation
and stay with the rural folks. Later on, he enrolled in the University of the Philippines
College of Agriculture, Los Baños (UPLB henceforth), Laguna on March 1956.
During his 3rd and 4th year, he majored in Rice Agronomy and graduated with the
degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Honors Curriculum) in April 1960.

After graduation, he was hired by his thesis adviser, Mr. Felipe Santos as an
emergency research assistant in the Department of Agronomy. Throughout his life, he
was involved in numerous researches about agriculture and agronomy, specifically in
rice breeding programs especially with International Rice Research Institute (IRRI
henceforth). He also earned a Master of Science in Agronomy Degree in May 1966 in
UPLB where he also worked as a part time student.

He received honors and awards from various scientific and civic organizations
including UPLB, National Seed Industry Council and Philippine Rice Institute. This
showed how well he contributed to the agriculture here in the Philippines. Prior to
joining IRRI on 1962, he married Rosalie A. Ramilo and raised a family with four
children. Upon retirement, he continued farming in Laguna by producing rice for the
market and seed purposes. At 72 years old, he was old and visually impaired yet felt
contented and fulfilled for the contributions he made in developing improved rice
varieties.
II. Description and Time of the Discovery
In 1966, Dr. Rodolfo Aquino isolated nine specific breeds of rice for the International
Rice Research Institute. His discoveries helped prevent famine in much of Asia, and were
nearly solely responsible for Thailand and Vietnam becoming the world’s leading rice
producers (A spot once solely occupied by the Philippines.).

Together with Dr, Aquino were anonymous grain-breeders at the International Rice
Research Institute in Los- Baños (AsiaWeek, 2000). It wrought a victory against a global
scourge: famine during the 1970’s where it helped developed the modernization of rice
varieties by developing high-yield, pest-resistant and tasty strains which goal was to
develop and disseminate to farmers at low cost improved varieties that would boost
harvests in the world's most populous region.

In 1962, the 25-year-old "Rudy" Aquino joined IRRI as part of a 10-member team
headed by American Peter Jennings. Among the Filipino's unsung tasks was a historic
one: pollinating IR8, the 1966 strain that was the first of several "miracle rice" varieties
that were the seeds of Asia's Green Revolution and combined an improved Taiwan short-
stem plant with a vigorous, fast growing Philippine variety. The result was a hardy plant
with a short stem that held the heavier ears of grain that new fertilizers could produce.
With fertilizer and the new strain, farmers in most of the world increased their yields and
through national breeding programs, enhancements helped conform local farming
conditions. Even better seeds were developed in the institute IR8 was followed by IR36,
IR64 and RC20 helped in improving taste and making crops less dependent on fertilizers
and other chemicals.

III. References

1.) (2000). Retrieved from

http://edition.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/95/20greats/aquinor.html
2.) (2010, August 31). Golden Profiles: Rodolfo C. Aquino. Retrieved from
https://upcagolden2010.wordpress.com/2010/06/10/golden-profiles-rodolfo-c-aquino/
3.) (2018, September 2). List of Filipino inventions and discoveries. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Filipino_inventions_and_discoveries
4.) (2014, November 17). FILIPINO INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS. Retrieved from
https://eazywordassign.wordpress.com/2014/11/17/filipino-inventors-and-their-
inventions