Peace Corps Philippines congratulates the winners of Write On! Philippines 2020! This year, 127 students from Grade 6 to 1st year of University participated in the said competition. They come from schools in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Zambales, Manila, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Guimaras, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Southern Leyte. The winners are:
Grade 6
1st Place: Princes Ojario, Palinpinon Elementary School
2nd Place: Paul Yaldua, Buhi Central School
3rd Place: Karlyn Lorenzo, Ivisan Elementary School
Grade 7
1st Place: Eliana Amaris Besa, JFK Special Education Center
2nd Place: Sherlyn Sarmiento, Pamukid National High School
3rd Place: Mikaela Rianne Dinalba, Sapian National High School
Grade 8
1st Place: Vaughn Emmery Tulao, JFK Special Education Center
2nd Place: Althea Guevarra, Pamukid National High School
3rd Place: Gabrielle Dawn Cadullo, Sapian National High School
Grade 9
1st Place: Nadezhda Quinzon, Sapian National High School
2nd Place: Romel Eulalio, Tanque National High School
3rd Place: Edrish Zent Nitura, JFK Special Education Center
Grade 10
1st Place: Kristine Babera, JFK Special Education Center
2nd Place: Briann Bellosillo, Ivisan National High School
3rd Place: Precious Ann Juliano, JFK Special Education Center
Grade 11
1st Place: Francis Wilfred Olilang, Sapian National High School
2nd Place: Jordania Abu Najem, Sapian National High School
3rd Place: Sarah Joy Estrada, Pamukid National High School
Grade 12
1st Place: Roe Ann Bangquiao Watson, Lazi National Agricultural School
2nd Place: Schuyler Jade S. Largo, Lazi National Agricultural School
3rd Place: Ana Mai Dela Rosa, Sapian National High School
University 1
1st Place: Celene Joy P. Villados, University of Northern Philippines
2nd Place: Jhon Anthony Licudine, University of Northern Philippines
3rd Place: Kathleen Rafanan, University of Northern Philippines
Peace Corps Volunteers, together with their counterparts, conducted Write On! in their respective placement sites last February 2020. This year, Write On! Philippines took on a different path as the Volunteers were evacuated when the judging week was about to start. With the aim of keeping the project running, continuing the efforts of Volunteers, and celebrating the talent of Filipino students in creative writing, the Peace Corps Philippines’ Education Team formed a panel composed of Programming and Training staff that selected winners. Since 2015, the Regional English Language Office of the U.S. Embassy Manila has been providing books and learning materials as prizes for Write On! winners.
Write On! is an international English language creative writing competition facilitated by Peace Corps Volunteers in different countries. It focuses on encouraging creative and critical thinking in students of Peace Corps posts who are learning English as a second language. At the competition, participants choose from a list of writing prompts and are given one hour to write a creative story in English. Entries are judged based on the merit of their creativity and inspiration, rather than on grammar or spelling.
Write On! has been a great way of honing creative writing skills and recognizing talent of Filipino students. We look forward to spreading more creativity in the years to come. You can read the winning stories on this link https://sites.google.com/view/writeonphilippines2020/.