Move over, basmati. Step aside, jasmine. There’s a new grain stealing the spotlight in the global rice arena—and it smells like sweet success.

The Philippines’ own aromatic NSIC Rc218, fondly called Mabango and sold locally as Dinorado, has just clinched silver at this year’s World’s Best Rice Award in Phnom Penh. Out of 30 entries from rice powerhouses like Thailand, India, and Australia, Mabango outshone 27, proving it has both the substance and the scent to stand among the planet’s finest grains.

The competition was judged double-blind by Chef Robert Nieto—better known as Chef Buttercup—the reigning Lord of Rice from California’s September contest. Mabango held its own with flair, showing the Filipino farmer’s harvest can hold its ground against the best from the Mekong Delta or the Chao Phraya plains.

This year’s top honor went to a rare tie for gold between Vietnam and Cambodia, both seasoned veterans in the premium rice circuit. Still, second place is nothing to sniff at—though Mabango’s heady aroma all but insists you do.

Developed in 2009 by the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), Rc218 was crafted for tenderness, taste, and that irresistible fragrance that can turn even the simplest ulam into fine dining.

Rowena Sadicon, founder of the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement—the team behind the entry—said this year’s triumph, an upgrade from last year’s third-place finish, fuels PRISM’s drive for a globally competitive rice industry.

“This win isn’t just about quality,” Sadicon said. “It’s about identity—a reminder that the Philippines is not only the world’s largest rice importer, but also a nation capable of producing world-class, sustainable, and export-worthy rice.” She added, with optimism, that next year’s gold might just be within reach.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. was quick to applaud the victory. “This is proof that our local farmers and scientists can hold their own against the world’s best,” he said, hinting at a symbolic comeback. “Wouldn’t it be fitting if, during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term, the Philippines—waving Mabango’s banner—once again became a rice exporter? A son continuing his father’s legacy.”

The showdown unfolded at the World Rice Conference, hosted by The Rice Trader in Phnom Penh from November 7–9. The event crowned Vietnam’s celebrated ST25—this time sharing the glory with Cambodia’s Phka Rumdoul—adding yet another feather to their already weighty export caps. Vietnam’s ST25 is now a three-time champion, while Cambodia’s prized varieties have claimed the title an impressive seven times.

For the Philippines, though, Rc218’s podium finish is more than just bragging rights. It’s a fragrant promise: that somewhere between our fields and our plates, we may yet rediscover the sweet smell of success—one grain at a time.

(By OSEC Comms & photo by PhilRice)

Published Date: November 12, 2025