A dozen students emerged as winners in the first-ever PwC Values Photo-Story contest.
The 12 students were recognized for the eloquence of their photos, for capturing Filipino values in the nationwide competition that culminated on April 26 in Makati City.
The contest was joined by 321 contestants, from the country’s high schools and colleges.
Winners Leonardo Saldivar Jr. and Rozzema Austacio of Lyceum of the Philippines University Cavite, Rohi Yocarizaa and Ma. Joanna B. Acedillo of University of the Philippines Visayas, Alexander Wang Jr. of Ateneo de Manila University, Hans Emmanuel N. Alpajora of New Era University, Hazel Castillo of Polytechnic University of the Philippines Manila, John Carlo San Agustin of Columban College Barretto Inc., Marie Jean Agsalud of Far Eastern University Manila, Nicole Abigail Lumbao of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Patricia Adora G. Alcala of Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation and Veronica Clare Lim of San Beda College Alabang, received certificates of recognition and P10,000 cash each.
PwC Philippines Chairman and Senior Partner Alex B. Cabrera said the PwC Values Photo-Story contest was launched last year. It sought to raise the awareness of the youth of Filipino values “in the context of changes going on around us.”
“We recognize that our values, in part, may be the cause of our problems today and can just as well be critical to the solutions we seek as a nation,” Cabrera added.
The top 12 winners were chosen from the 77 finalists. The 321 contestants nationwide sent 875 photo entries.
Saldivar, one of the top 12 winners, became emotional when his photo entry titled “Lawton” was recognized.
Saldivar’s photograph showed his father driving a jeepney to Plaza Lawton, with a promise to his father printed at the bottom of the picture saying, “Pa, I already know where I’m going. I’ll do my very best to graduate and become a CPA so I could help you provide for the needs of our family. I feel elated that all your hard work will soon come to fruition. I will never let you down. You are the man I look up to. I couldn’t thank you enough.”
In an interview with the BusinessMirror, Saldivar said, “My father has been a jeepney driver since I was in the elementary grades. He has been supporting my needs by driving. I look up to my father for the sacrifices he has done providing for our needs, for all of us, his family.”
The values photo-story contest was supported by the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Information Agency.
All 77 photo-stories will be shared with public and private elementary schools through their values education subjects.