October 8, 2015 (2:03 PM)

3 min read

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Photo from UNICEF

Photo from UNICEF

Among the four participants who topped the UNICEF Philippines’ Essay Writing Contest, two came from Ateneo de Davao University.

Glorietta De Guia and Katrina Kate Dianne Punay placed first and third respectively in the said event last September during the 12th National Peace Consciousness Month.

Participated by university/college students across Mindanao, the contest was in line with the theme, “Peace Month 2015: Children as Zones of Peace”.

With UNICEF promoting peace and the rights of children, the contest aimed to “underscore the importance of giving students a podium to express their views and their reality of peace in Mindanao.”

The contest was in support and partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

The following winners received cash prizes, medals and UNICEF Certificates:

First place

“Slaying Giants, Monsters and Dragons” 

Glorietta De Guia (Ateneo de Davao University)

Second place

“The Lights in the Road of Darkness” 

Karen Soler (Ateneo de Zamboanga University)

Third place (tie)

“Teaching and Writing Dreams” and “Children: The key to a peaceful world”

Katrina Kate Dianne Punay (Ateneo de Davao University)

Micah Radao Traspe (Notre Dame University – Cotabato)

 

First place winner, De Guia, shared that as a youth volunteer, she encountered different stories of children who are abused and became victims of conflicts.

“I decided to write not only to retell the experiences of these children but also to challenge others to help in their own ways in guiding children to find peace in themselves and in the community. We are responsible in teaching children which path to choose and in every path they must find peace.”

Third place winner, Punay, said it is important to acknowledge how justice and peace are connected.

“Injustices are so common that perhaps we tolerate them. It is important that we do our part through whatever influence we have to attain peace not only for ourselves but for others also, especially the oppressed.

“There are different avenues in clubs and organizations we, the youth, can be a part of, so that we can be actively involved to reach out for others’ peace in whatever way we can,” she stated.

To read the winning entries, click http://www.unicef.org/philippines/reallives_24718.html#.VhYqKuyqqko

 



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