Agricultural journalists’ group marks 25th year

Preparations are underway for the grand celebration on Sept. 10 of the 25th Foundation Anniversary of the Philippine Agricultural Journalists (PAJ). The evening affair will be held at the Bahay ng Alumni, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City.

President Arroyo has been invited as guest of honor and speaker.

Several committees have been formed to work on the details of the celebration which include the launching of the Binhi Awards 2001, awarding of lifetime membership to PAJ’s founding members, drafting of a resolution requesting President Arroyo to declare the second week of September 2001 and every second week of September of every year thereafter as "Agricultural Journalism Week," and the publication of a souvenir program.

Named committee chairmen and co-chairmen were Noel Reyes and Jindra Demeterio, Binhi Awards; Sanny Galvez and Jake Espino, "Agricultural Journalism Week" resolution and souvenir program; Inez Magbual and Tony Rodriguez, finance; Thelma Tolentino and Flor Notario, reception; Ruby Lumongsod, entertainment; Rudy Fernandez, publicity; Mike Alunan and Fermin Diaz, photo exhibit; Mary Ebitha Dy, invitation; and Ato Faustino, arrangement. PAJ president Roman Floresca is the over-all chairman.

Meanwhile, the PAJ board has appointed as advisers Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Q. Montemayor Jr., Jesus T. Tanchanco Sr., president of the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization (Philfoodex) and Louie Logarta, president of the National Press Club (NPC).

The PAJ officers are Floresca (The Philippine STAR), president; Galvez (Manila Bulletin), vice president for internal affairs; Dy, (Miriam College), VP for external affairs; Lumongsod (Quedancor), secretary; Magbual (Department of Agriculture), treasurer; Rodriguez (San Miguel Group), auditor; Reyes (DA), business manager; and Fernandez (The Philippine STAR), PRO.

The directors are Ramy Alvarez, Greenfields Magazine; Tolentino, Philippine Coconut Authority; Espino, Philippines News Agency; Ric Pinca, Philippine Association of Flour Millers; Alunan, and Diaz. Mary Ann Reyes of The Philippine STAR is the immediate past president.