MANILA – The Philippine Agricultural Journalists Inc. will present the winners of the annual Binhi Awards for excellence in agricultural journalism for 2018 on Thursday at the Makati Diamond Residences with Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol as guest of honor and speaker.
PAJ president Alfredo Gabot said the awards, sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, include Agricultural Journalist of the Year, Agri Beat Reporter of the Year, Environment Journalist of the Year, Agricultural Magazine of the Year, Agricultural Newsletter of the Year and Agricultural Section of National Newspaper of the Year.
Noel O. Reyes, chair of the Binhi Awards committee, said other awards are Best Climate Change Story of the Year, Best Environment Story of the Year, Agri Regional Television Program of the Year, Agri National Radio Program of the Year, Agri Regional Radio Program of the Year and Agri Information and Media Campaign of the Year, Agri Photo Journalist of the Year, Best Agri News Story of the Year, and Best Agri Feature Story of the Year.
Former Agriculture Secretary Senen Bacani heads this year’s board of judges with Monetary Board member Bruce Tolentino, Dr. Crispin Maslog, Ms. Mary Jane Llanes Oconer, AVP for corporate and media affairs of SMC, and broadcaster and former congressman Angelo Palmones as members.
The new officers and directors of the PAJ will be inducted coinciding with the Binhi Awards ceremonies. The PAJ is also expected to launch its Binhi Magazine, a new membership ID and its reactivation as member of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists.
The PAJ will also present Excellence in Agricultural Journalism Award (posthumous) to the late journalist and professor Rodolfo “Rudy” Fernandez.
Lifetime Achievement Awards will also be presented to Dr. Anselmo Roque, Zac Sarian, Marcelo Lagmay and PAJ co-founder Jake Espino.
Special awards will also be conferred on Henry Lim Bon Liong of SL Agritech Corp. and PAJ past president Roman Floresca.
Aside from Gabot, officers to be inducted are Fermin Diaz, VP for internal affairs; Noel Reyes, VP for external affairs; Ruby Lumongsod, secretary; Aileen Garcia, asst. secretary; Inez Magbual, treasurer; Thelma Tolentino, auditor; Michael Alunan, PRO for print; Rolando Gonzalo, PRO for Broadcast; Rex Navarro, Johnny Goloyugo, Charisma Love Gado Gonzales, Melly Tenorio and Rogelio Matalang, and past president Roman Floresca, directors. (PR)
