From Bright Leaf to Botti, via J. Lo
The 6th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards were handed out on Nov. 22 at the Hyatt Hotel in Manila, as hosted by PMFTC Inc. It was the third time that this writer joined the panel of judges for the prestigious award that recognizes agri-journ and honors its practitioners with such handsome prizes.
My fellow judges this year were Everin Molina, deputy administrator of the National Tobacco Administration; Aida Ignacio, deputy administrator of Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA); Nicomedes Eleazar, director of Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR); Clarito Baron, director of Bureau of Plant and Industry (BPI); Edward Cabagnot of Media Arts Division of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP); Dong Delos Reyes, The Manila Times editor; Gene Hettel, editor and head of Communication and Publication Services of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI); Jose Galvez, former president of Press Photographers of the Philippines; and Noel Reyes, director of Information Services of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department of the Department of Agriculture.
When we conducted our deliberations weeks before, I was happy to note that the Agriculture Story of the Year Award had gone to the entry entitled “The Convent Gardens: Nuns as Urban Farmers,” by a Baguio-based writer for the Business Mirror. She turned out to be a friend from early days, Marilou Guieb, only recently widowed when painter Darnay Demetillo passed away.
I was happier to tell her at the awards night that it seems Darnay was still taking care of their family. Malou let on that a daughter had been pining for a laptop. I told her she would be receiving something close to that, apart from the hefty cash prize of P50,000. True enough, the award also included a Bright Leaf trophy, an Apple iPad, and an all-expense paid Asian trip.
All well-deserved, too: her three-part article was about the Seven Healing Gardens of Eden in Baguio City managed by the St. Scholastica’s Convent. Describing in detail how the nuns championed organic farming, Guieb also explains how plants promote good health and improve spirituality. She also pinpoints the many problems of Baguio’s environment, while stressing the significance of urban gardening and proper waste disposal.
The Tobacco Story of the Year award went to Mauricio Victa for “Sunset to Sunrise,” published in Sun.Star. Victa reported that what has been dubbed as a “sunset industry” remains profitable and continues to show signs of sustainable growth. The article also explained why tobacco farmers won’t shift to other crops. He received the same parade of prizes.
Other winners were Richard T. Balonglong of Philippine Daily Inquirer for Agriculture Photo of the Year; Leoncio Balbin, Jr. of Candon Times for Tobacco Photo of the Year; Inez Magbual for Best Agriculture TV Segment for “Goat Raising,” a segment of TV5’s Maunlad na Agrikultura; Flordeliza Agoot of Business Mirror with “LT notes low strawberry production due to climate change” for Best Agriculture News Story in the national level; Harley Palangchao of Baguio Midland Courier for “Veggie farms destroy hectares of mossy forest in Mt. Data” for Best Agriculture News Story in the regional level; Gabriel Cardinoza of PDI with “Weather-proof fish cage seen as savior of aquaculture industry” for Best Agriculture Feature Story in the national level; and Xenia Socorro B. Jamero of Katuwang (official magazine of the National Irrigation Administration of Region 6) for the regional level.
The Bright Leaf Awards have grown by leaps and bounds since its start in 2006, when a total of 82 entries were considered. The 2012 edition saw that number rise tremendously to 1,571 entries.
“This is a manifestation that Bright Leaf gains more luster and distinction among agriculture journalists in the country,” PMFTC president Chris Nelson said, adding that he hopes that even more journalists will participate next year, and for them to pursue greater effort in promoting the agriculture industry through their writings.
Maybe because he saw this three-time judge nodding vigorously as he gave his obligatory speech, Chris sweetened the pot that night when subsequent conversation around the table somehow led to the exalted Ms. Jennifer Lopez.
To make a long non-agricultural story short, I wound up with prized tickets to J. Lo’s concert at the MOA Arena, with a vantage view from a premier box that’s backstopped by a private suite with the works: wine, food, and lounging and smoking privileges.
Oh, our lovely date enjoyed the experience so much more, since it apparently brought her back to memories of ledge dancing. But suffice it to say that I enjoyed watching the spectators enjoying themselves while shimmying to the music, as well as taking possibly incriminating pics of the proceedings with the trusty iPhone cam.
I hope I get to do the same at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater, however decidedly more stringent its rules against aiming cameras on the stage, when Chris Botti comes to town and paints it a merry Christmas on Thursday, Dec. 6.
The same date and I first enjoyed the Grammy-award-winning trumpet player with the silky touch in November last year when he performed at Greenbelt 5’s Fashion Walk, courtesy of Francis Lumen and Radio High 105.9. Why, I even had a chance to interview the young maestro one-on-one before that show.
His superb repertoire that night included Miles Davis’ Flamenco Sketches, Enrico Morricone’s Cinema Paradiso, Burt Bacharach’s The Look of Love, Astor Piazzolla’s Oblivion, and the rhapsodically sentimental Emmanuelle by Michel Colombier
He was back last June for a one-night stand at the Newport Theater, again making us wax senti with Emmanuelle, but also adding When I Fall In Love, Chopin’s Prelude in C Minor, Concerto de Aranjuez / Sketches of Spain, You Are Not Alone, The Very Thought of You, and Somewhere Over The Rainbow, among others.
This time, he amps up the magic of the holiday season with another one-night concert dubbed as “Christmas with Botti” — which promises to treat his Pinoy fans to another live tour de force through a repertoire of holiday music put together especially for the show.
American actress and jazz sensation Renee Olstead joins Botti in this concert, serving as the band leader’s singer. Olstead is best recognized for her work in Hollywood film and television (Still Standing, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, 13 Going on 30, End of Days, Space Cowboys), as well as, her musical achievements. Her self-titled debut album in 2004 earned glowing critical reviews and a Grammy nomination.
Botti and Olstead have worked together previously on Botti’s 2005 album To Love Again: The Duets and on the 2006 DVD Chris Botti Live with Orchestra and Special Guests.
Opening the show are Pinoy jazz legends Richard Merk and Jacqui Magno, and the prestigious Philippine Music Ensemble.
Partnering with Radio High for the show is the country’s premier integrated leisure destination, Resorts World Manila. Show proceeds will be for the benefit of Children’s Hour and its various programs to help disadvantaged Filipino kids.
We really look forward to this. Why, from Chris Nelson to Crist Botti, it must really be Christmas!
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For ticket reservations and inquiries, contact Ticketworld at 891-9999, or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. One may also get in touch with Meldy Valdezco at meldy.valdezco@radiohigh.ph or call 706-1580.
