9th BRIGHT LEAF AGRICULTURE JOURNALISM AWARDS

“Bright leaf” is a variety of the tobacco plant that originated in Virginia, USA, and is now grown worldwide, including the Philippines’ Ilocos and Cordillera regions. It is also the name given to the annual competition for the nation’s most outstanding agriculture stories in print, radio, and television, sponsored by PMFTC, Inc.

The Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards (BLAJA) also honors the most compelling photos that capture the essence of the agricultural sector. It acknowledges the efforts of Filipino journalists in bringing to the forefront best practices, crop sustainability, environmental care, safety and other current subjects relevant to one of the country’s biggest revenue-generating industries.

From 82 entries when it was conceived in 2007, BLAJA nominees have grown to almost a thousand in recent years. Road shows are held regularly in key cities across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to help participants improve their craft.

BLAJA’s ninth awards night will be hosted by Bloomberg TV Philippines’ Tony Abad on Nov. 26 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, known as US President Barack Obama’s preferred residence whenever he visits Manila.