DAMMAM, 28 July 2003 — OFWs in the Kingdom who have passion in writing are enjoined to participate in a writing contest to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the martyrdom of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on Aug. 21.
Secretary Heherson T. Alvarez, President Arroyo’s adviser on Overseas Filipino Communities, sent community organizations here an invitation saying the contest is open to professional or amateur Filipino writers in the Kingdom.
Alvarez said entries should” underscore the lesson from Ninoy’s martyrdom that can most appropriately inspire our people’s commitment to forge unity to resolve the social ills that beset our country.”
“The entry can be written as poem or an essay and expressed in not more that two pages of short bond paper. It must focus on the relevance of Ninoy’s sacrifice and patriotism to the Filipino’s changing times,” Alvarez said.
The contest was announced by the organizers in two radio programs, “HTA at GMA” over radio station DZBB and “Radyo Balintataw” at radio station DZRH in Manila, in cooperation with the Chino Roces Foundation and the Spirit of EDSA Foundation, in conjunction with Kalampagin ang Konsensyang Kinakalawang (KKK), and Dialect/Philippine ITI Center.
Entries may be written in either English or Filipino and must be submitted to the offices of “HTA at GMA” at DZBB-AM, GMA complex, EDSA, Quezon City or at “Radyo Balintataw” at DZRH-AM, Star City, Aliw Bldg., CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City 105 Esteban St., Legaspi Village, Makati City on or before Aug. 13, 2003.
The cash prizes of P10,000 for the grand winner, P7,000 for the runner-up, and P3,000 for the honorable mention will be awarded. Announcement of winners and prize giving will be held during the Peace and Freedom Week and at the Ninoy Aquino Commemorative Gold Coin-Champion for Peace series launching on Aug. 19 with the martyr’s wife, former President Corazon C. Aquino, organized with the cooperation of Gold Quest by Chris Carreon.
According to Secretary Alvarez, winners will also be invited to the studios to personally read their winning entries on air.
For more information, please call telephone number 931-0109, 527-0709 or at 527-7771 or e-mail at [email protected].