Local journalists shine anew in the prestigious 2011 5th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Award bagging four awards.

Photojournalist Andy Zapata, Baguio correspondent of the Philippine Star, won the Oriental Leaf Award and received an iPod and a certificate. Zapata, winner for three consecutive years, is now in the Hall of Fame.

The Agricultural Photo of the Year was awarded to Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) Northern Luzon Bureau photographer Richard Balonglong. His entry, “Sweet of the Brow” features a farmer from La Trinidad, Benguet watering his lettuce plants in a sunset.

The Tobacco Photo of the Year went to Mau Victa, photojournalist of Business Mirror. His entry entitled “My Leaf My Life”, shows a farmer in Candon, Ilocos Sur checking his tobacco in a barn ready for export packaging.

Balonglong and Victa won P20,000, an iPod, trip to an Asian country and a trophy.

Veteran writer Marilou Guieb, also of Business Mirror, won the Feature Story of the Year for her article entitled “The Master Garden, Simulating the Ways of Nature”. She won P20,000 and a certificate.

"I encourage my fellow journalists to join in this prominent movement as it enhances and showcases our work as media and at the same time gives us a chance to win fabulous prizes," said Guib.

Bright Leaf has been honoring the cream of the crop in agriculture journalism, with entries from all over the country for the various categories. *(JDP/JBZ PIA-CAR).