13 journalists, 4 agencies win ‘Binhi’ awards

Thirteen journalists, two of them contributors to The STAR, and four government and private entities won awards conferred this year by the Philippine Agricultural Journalists Association, Inc. (PAJ).

The winners received cash prizes and trophies during the PAJ’s celebration of its 28th anniversary on Sept. 24 at the Jumbo Palace Restaurant in Quezon City.

Nine categories of the "Binhi" awards were presented this year.

Melody M. Aguiba of the Manila Bulletin topped the Agribeat Reporter of the Year award. Roderick dela Cruz won the second prize while Lilybeth G. Ison of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) placed third.

Freelance journalist Noel de Jesus romped away with the Agricultural Journalist of the Year top prize. Second placer was Roderick dela Cruz of Manila Times. Dr. Sosimo Ma. Pablico, also of Manila Times, was third.

Melody Aguiba bagged the first prize in the Environment Story of the Year, a category which was added only this year. Placing second was Bella Cariaso of the People’s Journal while Ramon Ma. Epino of the Philippine STAR came in third.

The other new category added this year – Environment Journalist of the Year – had Jason Joyce Bacallan of the Business and Environment (a quarterly publication of the Philippine Business for the Environment) as first prize winner.

Second was Benny Enriquez of The Philippine STAR and Melody Aguiba third.

Dr. Pablico bagged the Agricultural PhotoJournalist of the Year award. The Agricultural Magazine of the Year award went to Greenfields Magazine.

The PhilRice Newsletter published by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) was adjudged as the Agricultural Newsletter of the Year.

The Agricultural Information Campaign of the Year award went to the DA-Agriculture and Fisheries Information Service (DA-AFIS).

The "Bago ‘Yan Ah!" program of DZMM 630 kHz won the agricultural Radio Program of the Year award.

PAJ, headed by The STAR’s agriculture editor, Roman Floresca, was founded in 1976 to promote and professionalize agriculture reporting in the country. It launched its "Binhi" (Agriculture Journalism) award in 1978.

Dr. Norma Llemit of the Los Baños-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) was chairperson of this year’s Binhi Awards Committee.

The board of judges was chaired by National Press Club president Antonio A. Antonio, Manila Bulletin provincial editor. Members were People’s Tonight managing editor Paul Icamina, Prof. Lolita Vega of the UP Los Baños College of Development Communication, and Francis Flores of DZBB. — Rudy A. Fernandez