WORKS of the winners in the “What’s EUr Story?” essay-writing competition were recently published into a booklet courtesy of the European Union (EU) Delegation, which was launched by Ambassador Franz Jessen in a ceremony.
Jessen said the Philippines is a unique melting pot of cultures, and that Filipino youth easily embrace new trends and technologies. Because of these traits, the essayists were able to come up with colorful narratives that reflect the cultures of both Europeans and Filipinos.
“The power of the written word is enormous,” Jessen averred, as he encouraged the essayists to make better use of their skills, as well as help in connecting and strengthening people-to-people links.
Featured writers were Salem Rangiris Jr. (grand winner), Hannah Joy Ibarra and Joshua Paguia (winners for college and high-school categories, respectively), Joseph Galaura, Marie Sybil Tropicales, Lorenz Dantes Paison, Patricio Dumlao IV, Brynn Jonsson Julia, Serina Mara Alonzo, Marvin de la Cruz, Rona Parducho, Natazia Grimares and Jason Occidental.
Rangiris, a native resident of Lanao del Sur and a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the Mindanao State University, interestingly talked about European cuisine and its similarities with Filipino cooking.
The “What’s EUr story?” essay-writing competition was opened to Filipino youth from 16 to 35 years old. The tilt encouraged them to share their narratives associated with the EU that documented their travels, impressions or insights about the bloc or any of its member-states.
The grand jurors included Jessen and Filipino literary great F. Sionil Jose. Entries were judged on the basis of substance, content, originality, analysis and adherence to the theme (65 percent); logic, organization and coherence (20 percent); as well as style and presentation (15 percent).