Young Filipina bags bronze in international letter-writing contest

MANILA, Philippines – When Ashley Nicole Abalos, 11, wrote about a blind musician she heard at a public concert, little did she know that her simple, yet sincere letter would touch the hearts of others from across the globe as well.

Abalos and her letter won the bronze prize in the “2014 International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People”, according to a statement by the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost).

Organized by the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, the competition had the theme “Write a letter describing how music can touch lives.”

Abalos’ letter was chosen from among the 1.5 million young people worldwide who participated in the contest that was topped by a 13-year old from Bosnia and Herzegovina while the second prize winner was a 10-year old from China, the PHLPost said.

In her letter to the blind musician, Abalos, an 11-year old student from PAREF-Woodrose School, Muntinlupa, said: “Music is not music until it is shared.” “Through your music, you are able to open the eyes of many even if you yourself cannot see.”

The international jury commented: “Written with great sincerity, this composition full of emotions and genuine reflections captured the magic of music to connect people.”

Abalos’ bronze prize came on the heels of the PHLPost’s victory in the prestigious World Mail Awards in Berlin on June 18, 2014, according to the statement.

“The winning of the Philippines through Ashley makes this an exciting time for us,” said Postmaster General Josefina Dela Cruz.

The letter-writing competition was created by the 1969 Tokyo Congress and officially launched in 1971.

Since then, millions of young people all over the world, up to age 15, have participated at national and international levels.

The UPU establishes a theme annually, with participating countries choosing an entry for the UPU international competition.

“The contest not only harnesses the skills of young people in letter-writing, but is a great way to make the youth aware of the significance of the postal sector, as being strengthened by the UPU and the re-engineering efforts of PHLPost,” Dela Cruz added.

The winners will receive their prizes on October 9, the anniversary of UPU’s foundation to form part of World Post Day.