Some views around IRRI

Just so you can see a little of the environment we now live and work in, I'd like to show you some photos around the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).  It's hard to argue that the place isn't beautiful!!

Looking from the entrance gate towards the main admin
buildings.

From the same spot, back towards the guards who let people
in (or not) and direct traffic over the railway line just outside
the entrance, and through the intersection past this.

Some of the rice trials and Research buildings in the
background - Russell's office is in the far right hand
building.

Just outside the gate - the start of our journey home,
through the university - very pleasant.

A Special Entertainment Treat

The Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) is located quite close to IRRI, and was one of the most severely affected places from Typhoon Glenda, which came directly over Los Banos in July this year.  PHSA has been without power and some facilities ever since, but the staff and students have continued their programme at the school, showing great commitment to what they do.

Last night IRRI sponsored a benefit performance at one of the IRRI halls, featuring students from this school, and it was a treat!  A wonderful display of dancing, singing, instruments, poetry and plays. There will be more benefit performances, and this promises to be one of the highlights of our life in the Philippines.

The performance was called "Bayanihandog". This is a combination of Bayanihan, which in Tagalog means "community unity", and handog, which means a "present" or "donation" or "dedication". Anihan means "harvest", so the name reflects the joint cooperation between IRRI and PHSA in many ways.

These musicians were exceptional!!!

......as were these!

Tony Lambino works at IRRI, but is also a famous singer in
the Philippines, and a really nice guy
- he joined the students for a couple of numbers.

Above all, these students and their teachers just had a
great night!

I am so much looking forward to future performances!!