10th Bright Leaf Awards caravan convenes Ilocos media

PIA LA UNION

By : Miriam P. Aquino

VIGAN CITY, May 2 (PIA) – The Phillip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation Inc. (PMFTC Inc.) has opened the 10th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards this year.

Part of PMFT's massive information campaign is going around the country via a caravan, visiting 15 cities nationwide to bring the contest to a wider audience in celebrating its 10th year of recognizing the best and brightest in agricultural journalism.

Just recently, the Bright Leaf Secretariat visited the Ilocos, with the Luna Hotel in Vigan City as the chosen venue and invited media practitioners from different fields coming from the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and for the first time, from La Union.

Part of the activity was a basic feature-writing workshop with Tina Arceo-Dumlao of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Didet Santiago, the Communications Manager of PMFTC Inc. said that they would want to encourage more participation of media practitioners for said awards.

Launched in 2007 by PMFTC, Inc., Bright Leaf invites journalists from all over the Philippines to submit stories and photos for a chance to bring home the prize for the following categories: 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 Agriculture News Story National, Best Agriculture News Story Regional, Best Agriculture Feature Story National, Best Agriculture Feature Story Regional,  and The Oriental Leaf Award, a special award given to those who have won five consecutive Bright Leaf awards in any category.

The Oriental Leaf Awardees become part of the Bright Leaf Hall of Famer, an elite group of journalists, Santiago said.

Entry to said award is free and journalists or photographers may submit as many entries as they can for consideration but one particular entry may not be entered in more than one category.

All entries should be published in local publications and/or national dailies or aired either on radio or television from September 1, 2015 until August 31, 2016. Deadline for submission is on September 1, 2016.

Santiago also reminded that entries may be written in English or any Philippine dialect, provided they also submit English translations for such.

What’s more exciting, Santiago added, is that winners will receive cash prizes, premium item, and an all-expense-paid trip in an Asian country.

For more details, you can visit their website at www.thebrightleafawards.com.  (MCA/MPA/PIA1 La Union)