USP4GG essay contest deadline extended to Feb. 8
For the education and increased awareness of Filipino students regarding the roles and importance of Overseas Filipinos in the future of the Philippines, Dr. Celia Lamkin, chairperson of the US Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG) Marianas chapter (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam), has launched an essay contest for high school and college students.
The contest is open to all Filipino students or of Filipino descent in the Philippines or overseas, from 10 to 25 years old who are enrolled in high school and college.
In an effort to provide opportunities to some high school and college students in the Philippines who were involved in the preparation for the visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines on January 15-19, 2015, the deadline for submission of the essay entries will be extended to February 8, 2015.
Entries should be submitted by email only at [email protected].
The theme of the essay is “The Overseas Filipinos and their impact on the Philippines.”
The essay should focus on:
- The contributions of Overseas Filipinos to the economy of the Philippines. The importance of the participation of overseas Filipinos in the Philippine elections.
- What are the social risks that the children and families of overseas Filipinos face due to long years of separation or long distance relationships?
- Why are the overseas Filipinos called to be the ” new heroes” of the Philippines? Please describe the traits of overseas Filipinos which make them unique as global immigrants and Overseas Filipino Workers ( OFWs).
Contestants are encouraged to read books, publications, and the Internet on various articles regarding the theme.
The essay must be original. It must not be previously published in print or online nor in any visual and/or auditory recording. It must be in English and must not be more than 1,500 typed words and should be in MS word format.
Prize ranges from 25,000 to 3,000 pesos ($500 to $ 60). The school/college/university of the first prize winning essays will receive 10,000 pesos ($220) each. There are 10 Consolation prizes of 1,000 pesos ($25).
Every student entry must contain the confirmation of the school principal, college/university dean or president that the essay is written by and originated from the student. Signature of the school principal, college or university president or dean, address, email address and telephone number are required to authenticate the student entry.
Only one entry per person will be accepted.
The contest rules are available at https://www.uspgg.org/aug21/2014-essay-writing-contest/
and entry forms are available at https://uspgg.org/aug21/uspggcontent/uploads/USPGG_Essay_2015_Form.pdf or it can be requested by email at [email protected] and [email protected]. A parental consent, authorization and liability waiver form is required for minor student. Adult students, for their part, must submit a student consent, authorization and liability waiver form.
A panel of judges, selected by the US Pinoys for Good Governance Ad Hoc Committee for Essay Contest on Overseas Filipinos, will make the final decision. The panel is composed of prominent lawyers, journalists, retired educators and university administrators, consultants, professors, human resource specialist, businessmen, health care provider, among others.
The awards ceremony will be held during the Third Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora on February 25-27, 2015, at Manila Hotel in Manila, Philippines, where approximately 600 participants from different countries are expected to attend.
Attorney Loida Nicolas Lewis, national chairperson of US Pinoys for Good Governance, says, ” It is good to listen to what the youth feel about Filipinos Overseas because they themselves may be children of Filipinos who went abroad to seek financial resources to give their family a better future.”
” I am encouraging the Filipino youth who are enrolled in high school and college in the Philippines and other countries to participate in this essay contest. Let us show to the world how we recognize the greatness and heroism of Overseas Filipinos and their contributions to our dear motherland, the Philippines,” added Lamkin, chairperson of the USP4GG Ad Hoc Committee for Essay Contest on Overseas Filipinos.
US Pinoys for Good Governance headed by national chairwoman attorney Loida Nicolas Lewis, president attorney Rodel Rodis and legal counsel/spokesman attorney Ted Laguatan, is a nonprofit organization based in New York, whose mission is to provide a better life for Filipinos everywhere and a better Philippines.
For more information, email Dr. Celia Lamkin at [email protected] or Norman Silvestre, USP4GG
Secretariat for Essay Contest on Overseas Filipinos, at [email protected] and Ferth Vandensteen Manaysay, USP4GG Marianas chapter Media and Public Relations Head, at [email protected].
For more information on the USP4GG, visit www.uspgg.org and for the Third Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora, visit www.cfo.gov.ph.
