RIYADH, 15 October — Esteban L. Salazar, a Filipino employee of Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden), has been conferred the International Poet of Merit Award by the International Society of Poets.

Howard Ely, managing director of the International Library of Poetry (ILP), invited Salazar earlier to receive his award at the International Society of Poets’ Convention and Symposium held on August in Washington D.C.

Salazar was not able to personally accept his awards, which includes an International Poet of Merit Award Bowl, Commemorative Award Medallion, International Society of Poets Membership Card and a gift certificate.

He received all these through express courier the other day.

Salazar’s winning entry, Let Me Go, is now an acclaimed poem in the United States and United Kingdom.

The ILP informed Salazart that his poem would be recorded professionally on a compact disc as a special part of a new poetry collection — The Sound of Poetry. Salazar’s piece has also been certified as a finalist in the International Open Poetry Contest.

As a finalist, Salazar will also have an excellent chance of winning one of 104 cash or gift prizes — including $1,000 First Prize or $10,000 annual Grand Prize.

Let Me Go will also be featured in what promises to be one of the most highly sought-after anthologies of poetry ever published — Letters From The Soul, which is scheduled for publication in this year.

It is a classic, coffee-table quality hardbound volume printed on fine-milled paper specifically selected to last for generations. It will make a handsome addition to any library, a treasured family keepsake, or a highly valued personal gift. And best of all, this magnificent volume will showcase the poetry of Esteban Salazar of Ma’aden.

“Salazar did not realize he was a poet until I read his first piece,” says Alexander Asuncion, also an employee of Ma’aden. Asuncion himself is an award-winning playwright and a recipient of the Modern-Day Hero (Bagong Bayani) and Philippine Hero of the New Millennium (Bayaning Pilipino - Gawad Geny Lopez, Jr.) awards.

He said he inspired Salazar to continue writing to hone his skill. “I know he has the exceptional talent and he will shine,” Asuncion added.

“We are deeply pleased for having Salazar as our employee. He is giving us pride and I salute him for his achievement,” said Dr. Abdullah Dabbagh, president and CEO of Ma’aden.