Iligan SK chair wins VoM’s Mindanao-wide writing tilt

ZAMBOANGA CITY--16-year old Iligan City Sangguniang Kabataan Federation Chair Erika Rae Cruz bagged the championship in the Mindanao-wide feature writing competition organized by the Voice of Mindanao.

"Mindanao can be likened to a caged bird. It cannot spread its wing and fly. It can't hover above the trees and sing. It can never be free, unless we do something about it. We Mindanaoans can set the bird free. We can make a change. It's not too late," Cruz said, when asked what her vision of peace in Mindanao is.

Cruz bested 14 other finalists in the competition, which kicked off in Zamboanga City with the holding of Concurso de Escritos in the first week of October. It ended after more hundred entries from all over Mindanao had been evaluated by different judges from the education and media sectors.

All winners received their awards from Mayor Celso Lobregat, City Councilors Rudy Lim and Nonong Guingona. The city officials were assisted by Carousel Concepcion of VoM.

Coming close to the youth leader from Central Mindanao are Leah Mariel Reyes of Dipolog City, at second place; and Saima Kabalo of Cotabato City.

Cruz is presently a fourth year high school student of Integrated Developmental School, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology. Reyes is also in her senior year at the Zamboanga del Norte National High School. Kabalo is likewise a candidate for graduation in March 2009 at the Kutawato Institute of Technology Foundation, Incorporated.

The SK Chair is the daughter of Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz and First Lady Gina Cruz.

Reyes at second place is a lawyer-journalist's (the late Atty. Ferdinand Reyes) surviving daughter—a fact she did not attempt to hide as she penned her winning piece.

"As an intellectual consumer, I extend my deepest concern for Mindanao's peace. I had envisioned the unity of every Filipino and the harmonious spread of love and peace towards Miindanao. To take a leap of success for the futureand as we face the unstoppable time, Filipinos unite, whatever happens. No more shouts, no more killings, and no to war," Reyes said.

Kabalo, a Maguindanaoan, and among the top honor students in her school, was accompanied by her school principal, Lumilis Pananguilan. "An atmosphere of understanding and peace through dialogue is a necessity to salvage the vague future of Mindanao and its people," she said.

Other finalists are Rogelio Garcia, Jr. (Mindanao State University-Marawi City) of Marawi City, 4th place; 5th place; John Philip Eijansantos (Basilan National High School) of Isabela City, 5th place; Tricia Celine Ventura of Sulu (Mindanao State University-Sulu); Herold Guadalupe (Colony National High School) of Lamitan City; Raiza Estino (Pilar College) of Zamboanga City; Kurt Russel Peconada (Kidapawan National High School) of Kidapawan City; Farr Krizza Tangkusan (Mindanao State University – TCTO Science High School) of Tawi-Tawi; Leah Mariel Reyes, Al-Habbyel Yusoph, and Lovely Bacara (Zamboanga del Norte National High School), all of Dipolog City.

"The 2008 Mindanao-wide Feature Writing Competition is a celebration of peace through the might of the pen," Voice of Mindanao program director Marquez stressed. "This event started was launched in the last week of September this year, and culminated as the Mindanao Week of Peace concluded," he added.

The Voice of Mindanao is an organization under the tutelage and guidance of the Mein College Language Center. (Frencie L. Carreon)