The award was presented during the association’s 5th National Conference at UPL Los Baños. Pampanga Agricultural College President Zosimo M. Battad chaired this year’s Awards Committee chair.
Dr. Pablico was cited for his outstanding achievements as an agricultural journalist, having published more than 2,000 stories on new agriculture technology in national dailies and magazines.
The awards committee noted that Dr. Pablico’s writings "contributed to a better understanding and appreciation of modern agriculture among Filipino farmers, as well as on the successes of Filipino farmers who adopted new technologies."
Dr. Pablico was also cited for writing a book on successful rice farmers in simple language and for editing and co-editing at least 16 other books on agricultural technology.
The committee also noted his contributions to research teams responsible for producing award-winning scientific reports and posters.
During the awarding ceremonies, Dr. Pablico delivered a talk on "Changing Lives with Agricultural Innovations," which represented the synopsis of his journalism works that impacted on the lives of farmers.
Dr. Pablico co-founded the Agricultural Writers Association of the Philippines in 1974 and the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. (PAJ) in 1976.
Dr. Inocencio E. Buot of UPLB, former Education Secretary Ricardo R. Gloria, and SEARCA director Dr. Arsenio Balisacan shared the Outstanding SEARCA Fellow of the Year award.
Dr. Buot was for his outstanding contributions in plant systematics, Dr. Gloria for being the first SFAP president, and Dr. Balisacan for being an outstanding economist.