By: Venus May H. Sarmiento
PROFESSIONAL Filipino journalists who have written and aired news or interesting pieces on agriculture in the Philippines have the chance to win a laptop, a trophy and cash in the first-ever Bright Leaf Journalism Awards sponsored by a giant tobacco company.

In response to the growing demand of agriculture journalism, Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc (PMPMI) launched the Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards, a news and features competition that aims to bring the country’s agriculture industry to the forefront of the Filipino’s consciousness.

The organizers said it was important to communicate various issues affecting the agriculture sector-such as crop production, livestock and poultry, forestry or fishery through the mass media.

In what is hoped to be institutionalized an annual event, the Bright Leaf Awards aims to recognize Filipino print, photo, radio and television journalists whose works promote awareness of agriculture and sustainable development issues. It shall acknowledge contributions to journalistic excellence and propagation of information on best agriculture practices.

‘Bright Leaf’ is a term used for Virginia Tobacco, which is one of the key ingredients in the manufacture of PMPI cigarette brands such as Marlboro, Philip Morris, Bowling Gold, Stork and Miller.

Entries should be original work, published and/or broadcast within the period of July 1,2006 to June 30, 2007.Deadline of submission is on August 10, 2007.

The grand winner of the Agriculture Story of the Year will receive a brand new laptop, trophy /plaque and P50,000 cash

The special award winner of the Tobacco Story of the Year and winners of the seven other categories namely Best Agriculture News Story (national and regional winners), Best Agriculture Feature Story (national and regional), Best Agriculture Photo, Best Agriculture TV Program/ Segment and Best Agriculture Radio Segment- will receive a trophy and P20,000 cash.

Interested participants may contact the Bright Leaf office at 929-3238, visit the official website at www.brightleaf awards.com or contact the Philippine Information Agency in Dagupan City at 515-7052 or 522-1914..(PIA-Pangasinan