DAGUPAN CITY – The best published agriculture stories and photos as well as broadcast reports of media practitioners in the country are now accepted in the 8th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards.

The Bright Leaf Awards are given to the most outstanding and relevant agriculture stories in print, radio, and television. It will also honor the most compelling photos that capture the essence of tobacco farming and the agriculture industry.

In a statement, Didet Danguilan, project head of the Bright Leaf Awards, encourages all professional Filipino journalists residing in the Philippines to join the competition as their way of sharing the successes of farmers through their stories – in whatever medium – to the public.

“Their stories need to be seen, heard and appreciated. The Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards is the best way to achieve that,” she said.

“We want to highlight the stories that enlighten and inspire our countrymen. This is even more important now because of the recent typhoons and earthquakes that have greatly made an impact in the agriculture industry,” added Danguilan.

She said that this is one way to provide some light in what was a very dark time for the Filipino farmer.

In order to collect a larger crop of entries in this year’s competition, the Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards Team is holding a series of roadshows to reach out to tri-media practitioners from more agricultural provinces to invite them to submit their articles and photos.

In Pangasinan, a roadshow is scheduled in Dagupan City on Tuesday, April 29.

This event will provide a venue for the discussion and clarification of all the details regarding the competition.

The categories for the Bright Leaf Awards are: Agriculture Story of the Year; Agriculture Photo of the Year; Tobacco Story of the Year; Tobacco Photo of the Year; Best Television Program or Segment; Best Radio Program or Segment; Best National News Story; Best Regional News Story; Best National Feature Story; Best Regional Feature Story; and the Oriental Leaf Award.

The Oriental Leaf Award is a special award given to those who have won a Bright Leaf Award in any category for five consecutive years. The Oriental Leaf Awardees become part of an elite group of individuals that comprise the Bright Leaf Hall of Fame.