The Xavier University Press (XU Press) has announced the winners of this year’s Abot, the university-wide writing competition.
The announcement of Abot II winners was held in celebration of the XU Press Day on February 18—a day specifically aimed at promoting the proliferation of knowledge and creativity through print publications.
Selected entries will be published in Abot II, the second anthology of creative works from the XU community. This year’s entries centered on peace with integration of other thematic agenda of XU’s Research and Social Outreach, namely: food sustainability, good governance, health, and environment.
The entries could be in English, Filipino, or Bisaya. The entries were not segregated according to language. However, mastery in the language chosen is necessary as it was part of the criteria for judging (50% creativity, 30% mastery of the language and 20% relevance to the RSO thematic goals).
For each category, first, second and third place winners were selected. The prizes were Php5,000.00, Php3,000.00 and Php2,000.00 respectively. Finalists were also chosen and they received Php500.00 each.
From the category winners, the grand prize winner was selected and received P10,000. Mentors of high school students were also be given recognition awards.
“The Greater Fool” by Maria Karlene Shawn I Cabaraban, a Sociology sophomore won this year's grand prize.
The winner in the faculty, staff and post graduate category, Rogelio Garcia of the English department had the opportunity to read his winning piece “Lights outside Windows” during the event.
The XU Press Day also featured talks by Rudy Rodil, a historian and a respected resource person on the topic of peace and the tri-peoples of Mindanao; Lina Sagaral Reyes, a journalist and an award-winning poet; and James Gaje, a leader in the Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education.
The event formed part of the month-long celebration of the RSO cluster to which XU Press belongs.
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High School Category
1st Place: “Journey of Peace” by Hazel A Carrillo, XUHS - 3rd year
2nd Place: “Always Worth a Try” by Andrea Oliveros, XUHS - Grade 9
3rd Place: “Peace from Inside, for Outside” by Moneia Brae E Casas, XUHS - 3rd year
Finalists: “Seeking a Happy Order” by Alexa Kim Kiamco Bacong, XUHS - 4th year
“State of Mind, State of Peace” by Andrea Felice J Abesamis; XUHS – 3rd year
College Category
1st Place: “The Greater Fool” by Maria Karlene Shawn I Cabaraban; Sociology II
2nd Place: “Magnum Opus” by Gabriel Matthan G Luceño; Development Communication IV
3rd Place: “100 Days” by Charmaine A Carrillo; Accountancy II
Finalists: “Ang Bata sa Isang Sulok” by Lucky John Tutor; Industrial Engineering II
“The Collector” by Antioco Rhino S Rafal; English Language and Literature IV
“Of Hospital Beds and Long Lines” by Brian Adam Anay; Development Communication II
“Palette” by Carl Ian John S Hallazgo; Biology IV
“Sa Sinag ng Kapayapaan” by Marvin N Pamisa; Development Communication I
Faculty, Staff and Post Graduate Category
1st Place: “Lights outside Windows” by Rogelio Garcia; English Department
2nd Place: “Re-Imagining Peace” by Gabriel Paolo Galang; Philosophy Department
3rd Place: “For Alana with Hugs and Coffee” by Angela Bernice Cabildo; MA in Development Leadership I
Finalists: “From Whence Comes this Springtime Oracle” by Christian Dominic Rosales; Medicine Department
“Merciful Heart, Caring Hands” by Jenifer Molero Ferolin-Nara; English Department
“Wallet” by Juan Paolo A Galua; Grade School Science Department
“Paano po ang Bukas?” by Gail D Conway; Psychology Department
“Learning with CSLP” by Cristina Amor T Cajilla; Computer Science Department