The much-anticipated Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards will once again look through this year’s crop of published agriculture stories and photos and honor the best of the best.
Bright Leaf is the name given to Virginia Tobacco because it turns into a vivid yellow when it is cured with intense heat.
The discovery of the Bright Leaf tobacco brought to life the struggling economy of North Carolina in the United States.
It is characterized by a distinct flavor and aroma that makes it the variant of choice for manufacturing tobacco products.
It is then appropriate that it is also the name given to this annual competition now celebrating its eighth year.
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.
Didet Santiago, project manager of the Bright Leaf Awards, is encouraging all professional Filipino journalists residing in the Philippines to join the competition as their way of sharing the success 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.
The categories for the Bright Leaf Awards are:
Agriculture Story of the Year; Tobacco Story of the Year; Best Television Program or Segment; Best Radio Program or Segment; Agriculture Photo of the Year; Tobacco Photo of the Year; Best Regional News story; Best National News Story; Best National Feature Story and the Oriental Leaf Award. This special award is 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.
“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 impacted the agriculture industry.”
Santiago added, “This is one way to provide some light in what was a very dark time for the Filipino farmer.”
The competition aims to collect a larger crop of entries than any other year by actively reaching out to tri-media practitioners from more agricultural provinces to invite them to submit their articles and photos.
Participation in The Bright Leaf Awards is free of charge. Entries should be published, aired or broadcast locally between Sept. 2013 and Aug. 31, 2014.
Contestants can submit as many stories in any of the categories but no story can be entered into more than one category.
Entries may be in English or any of the Philippine regional dialects.
For entries that are not in English, participants are required to provide an English translation.