The field of Agriculture journalism is composed of talented individuals who constantly generate stories and photos that bring focus to a very important topic. And for the 7th year, the best among this group was honored with the Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards.
For the year 2013, the awardees were a combination of repeat winners and new faces whose work stood out among the rest. The winners were feted at a gathering held at the Hyatt Hotel on Dec. 10, 2013.
Receiving the top prize of Agriculture Story of the Year was the article, “What’s behind the fuss over CP foods?” which appeared in Lamb Magazine and was written by Fermin Diaz. For Tobacco Story of the Year, the piece “Is the Tobacco Industry Headed for Collapse?” was the winner. This was written by Teodoro Molina and published in The Philippine Star. “Planting Time” received the Agriculture Photo of the Year submitted by David Leprozo Jr. of Manila Standard Today. The Tobacco Photo of the Year winner was “The Sun Life Farm” that came out in Business Mirror and was shot by Mauricio Victa. They each received a cash prize of P50,000, an iPad Mini, a trip to Bali, Indonesia and the Bright Leaf Trophy especially designed by multi award-winning artist and Philippine Art Award recipient Seb Chua.
“Kakao Eskuwela: Cacao Check” by Kenneth Bajo of Sky Cable/DE Channel 32 Davao City brought home the award for Best Agriculture TV Program/Segment. For Best Agriculture Radio Program/Segment, “The importance of tobacco in the culture of Mt. Province and the indigenous way of planting tobacco,” by Rose Malekchan of DWZT 540 Radyo Totoo Baguio received top honors. They each received P50,000 in cash and a Certificate.
The award for Best Agriculture News Story (National) was given to “BFAR promotes the use of aerators to increase shrimp production” by Eva Visperas of The Philippine Star. The winner of Best Agriculture News Story (Regional) was “Farmers in Region 12 urged to plant organic rice to foreign market” by Romer Sarmiento of Minda News South Cotabato. In the Best Agriculture Feature Story, (National) the article, “Highlands in Yuyu in Cordillera nearing extinction” by Marilou Guieb of Business Mirror was the winner. While the Best Agriculture Feature Story (Regional) award was given to “Urban Village takes initiative on Adoptive Climate Change Farming” by Ian Ocampo Flora of Sun Star Pampanga.
Inez G. Magbual was given the special Oriental Leaf Award and elevated to the Hall of Fame for having won consecutive Bright Leaf Awards in the same category-Best Agriculture TV Program or Segment.
The winners were chosen by a panel of judges composed of respected names in journalism, media and the academe led by Ninez Cacho-Olivares, publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Tribune and Chairperson of the 2013 Board of Judges. Bayen Elero-Tinga, Director for Corporate Affairs of PMFTC Inc. was on hand to personally congratulate the winners and present them with their prizes.