Are there Two Mindanaos?

There are two Mindanaos in this country. One is straining at the leash, eager to spring forward and live in a world of peace and prosperity. The other Mindanao is holding on to the leash. One Mindanao wants peace; the other Mindanao plagues us with violence. One Mindanao lives in the optimism of our hearts; the other Mindanao lurks in the skepticism of our minds. One Mindanao hopes and dreams; the other Mindanao destroys.
But discussions embracing prosperity are on the rise. With each day that passes, many holding Mindanao’s leash are crossing to the other side, eager to escape the device which has bound all of us for centuries. They are beginning to believe in the side of Mindanao whose faith in peace and prosperity is far greater than the fears and conflicts created by the other Mindanao.
For countless decades, our Mindanao has suffered through a devastating cycle of lawless violence and temporary peace, plagued by criminal organizations and terrorism. But still, a tiny voice at the back of our minds looks across the chasm and hesitates to take the leap toward peace. The yet another voice looks up at the sky and says, “It’s time to fly, it’s time for peace.”

CONCURSO DE ESCRITO

As part of its activities celebrating Fiesta Hermosa 2008, the Mein College Language Center and Voice of Mindanao, a socio-civic organization, with the support of the Department of Education, and the City Government of Zamboanga through the City Mayor’s Office and City Tourism Office, are holding Concurso de Escrito, a city-wide feature writing contest with the theme on the given subject on having ‘Two Mindanaos’.

The mechanics for the feature writing contest are as follows:
1. The contest is open to all bona fide high school students enrolled in the current term in any secondary institution in Zamboanga City.
2. Interested participants will have to register at the Mein College Language Center within the period of September 17 to October 3, 2008, and submit the duly filled up “Intent to Participate in the Feature Writing Contest”.
3. The essay should reflect the writer’s viewpoints anchored on the given subject on “Two Mindanaos.”
4. Participating writers must submit the hard copy of their feature entry(ies) on October 4, 2008, at the Mein College Language Center.
5. Participating writers must consent to the publication of the articles in local and regional newspapers.
6. Participating entries may be written in English, or any of the following Mindanao languages: Chavacano, Tausug, Sama, Yakan, Maguindanao, Subanen, and Maranao. Language code-mixing (combining a local language with English) however is not encouraged, if possible.
7. Length of entries must be between 300 to 600 words.
8. Criteria for judging shall be as follows: Content (Originality and Relevance of Message Conveyed in the Feature)--50%; Syntactic Variety and Vocabulary Use—20%; Organization—15%; Creativity and Style—10%; and Title (Impact and Appropriateness)—5%.
9. Each entry must be accompanied with a brief description, to contain the following information: Title, Entry Number, and Language Identification.
10. Upon submission of the article, participating writers shall submit in a sealed envelope the Entry Form (to be provided by the Language Center) which shall contain the following information: Writer’s Full Name, Age, School, Gender, Home Address, Contact Number, Parents’ Name, Ethnic/Cultural Affiliation, and a Brief Description or Message on his/her Vision of Peace in Mindanao.
11. The entries will be judged by qualified judges on October 4, 2008, at 10:00 in the morning, at the Mein College Language Center. Participating writers will be required to be present at the awarding ceremonies.
12. Cash prizes of P5,000, P3,000 and P2,000, medallions, and certificates shall be awarded to the best three entries.
13. Awarding ceremonies shall be on Monday, October 6, 2008, following the opening of the exhibit at 4:00 in the afternoon, at the National Museum, Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City.
14. Gift packs of educational supplies and certificates shall be presented to all participating writers; and certificates shall be awarded to all participating schools.
15. The winning entries will be published in local and regional newspapers, and in other promotional materials of Voice of Mindanao, copies of which shall be given to the winners.
16. The best feature will compete in representation of Zamboanga City in the Mindanao-wide feature competition, the three winning entries of which will receive P8000, P5000, and P3000, for the first, second, and third places, respectively.
17. For more information, please call Mr. Vilmar Marquez at (062) 991-9332, or (0926) 494-7997, or see him at the Mein College Language Center, San Jose Gusu Road, Zamboanga City.

CONCURSO DE PINTADAS

This activity is a collaborative effort of the Mein College Language Center and Voice of Mindanaoans, with the support of the Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the National Museum-Zamboanga, and the City Government of Zamboanga through the City Mayor’s Office and City Tourism Office. Its objective is to promote peace in Mindanao, vis-à-vis painting.

The mechanics for the feature writing contest are as follows:
1. The contest is open to all members of the academe enrolled or employed in the current term in any graduate, tertiary or technical-vocational institution in Zamboanga City.
2. Interested participants will have to register at the Mein College Language Center within the period of September 17 to October 3, 2008, and submit the duly filled up “Intent to Participate in the Painting Contest”.
3. The theme of the contest is, “Mindanao as a Community of Peace in 2020.”
4. Participating artists must submit their work of art on October 5, 2008, at the Mein College Language Center, and consent to the participation in the exhibit that will be set on October 7 to 15, 2008.
5. Participating artists may use any of the following media: oil, acrylic, charcoal, water color, pastel, crayons, or mixed media, on canvas, paper, or board. The entry must be at least 12”x18” and must not be larger than 18”x24”.
6. Criteria for judging shall be as follows: Originality and Relevance of Message Conveyed—50%; Execution, Creativity and Style—30%; and Impact to Viewers—20%.
7. Each entry must be accompanied with a brief description, to contain the following information: Title, Size, Medium, Material, Entry Number, and Genre.
8. Upon submission of the painting, participating artists shall submit in a sealed envelope the Entry Form (to be provided by the Language Center) which shall contain the following information: Artist’s Full Name, Age, School, Gender, Home Address, Contact Number, Parents’ Name, Ethnic/Cultural Affiliation, and a Brief Description or Message on his/her Vision of Peace in Mindanao.
9. The entries will be judged by qualified judges on October 6, 2008, at 10:00 in the morning, at the Mein College Language Center. Participating artists are required to be present during the judging.
10. Cash prizes of P8,000, P5,000 and P3,000, medallions, and certificates shall be awarded to the best three entries.
11. Gift packs of educational supplies and certificates shall be presented to all participating artists; and awards of appreciation shall be given to all participating schools.
12. The work of the top twelve (12) participating artists will be printed in 2009 calendars of Voice of Mindanao. The winning entries will be printed in other promotional materials of Voice of Mindanao.
13. Winners shall receive 200 copies of posters featuring their painting for their personal distribution.
14. Awarding ceremonies shall be on Monday, October 6, 2008, following the opening of the exhibit at 4:00 in the afternoon, at the National Museum, Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City.
15. For more information, please call Mr. Vilmar Marquez at (062) 991-9332, or (0926) 494-7997, or see him at the Mein College Language Center, San Jose Gusu Road, Zamboanga City, or Frencie Carreon at (062) 926-1447. Inquiries may also be sent by e-mail to languagecenter@meincollege.net.

HAVING FUN ON WOW! ZAMBOANGA

Following the opening of the exhibit and the awarding ceremonies on October 6 at the National Museum, participants and guests, including visiting tourists, will be invited to have fun during the evening open concert at the Courtyard of the Fort Pilar. (Frencie L. Carreon)

(Documented Features is the feature section of Zamboanga Today. Contributions and reactions may be sent to editor.zambotoday@gmail.com.)