MANILA, Philippines - There was a total of 150 entries, and from there, 10 emerged literary victors and the non-profit GIG and the Amazing Sampaguita Foundation, Inc. (GASFI) launched itself as an effective medium of expression for people with a talent for writing short stories for children.
Hernani Pizarro Geronimo, 47, is a journalism graduate who now heads the human resources department of Lapanday Foods Corporation. His personal experiences as a young boy and being a seaman’s son inspired him to write “A Boat, a Banana and a Smile.”
“Jeremy’s Magic Well,” is authored by 22-year-old Eliza Victoria, a UP magna cum laude graduate of journalism who has published fiction and poetry here and abroad.
Andrea de la Cruz, 26, who wrote “Judith and the King of the Sea,” is a professional dreamer and graduate of UST, major in communication arts. This is the first time she won in a writing contest
“The First Day” was written by Cherrie Anne Remoroza, 29, and a teacher at a grade school for boys. She has a communication arts degree from UP Los Baños and is a member of the Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK, a group of illustrators for children),
“Lost at Sea” is by Raechelle Castellon, 27 and “The Perfect Present” is by Kathleen Aton-Osias, 29, a teacher.
Other winners are Sylvia Mayuga, 57, a professional who won hands down for her “A Tale of Tong-its.” Joaquin Carlos de Jesus, 19, an Atenean, won for “Quintin and His Violin” ; Edilberto Sulat Jr., a contributor on music reviews, won for “See, I’m Holding Daddy’s Hand,” while Czarina Vijulet Jusi’s winning piece is entitled “Why Uncle Martin Can’t Fix My Bike.”
Marissa Oca began GASFI as a tribute to her late son, Gig, who loved reading, photography, and sampaguitas, thus inspiring the name of the foundation.
The winning entries will be published in children’s books. The project enjoyed the support of Beulah Taguiwalo as executive director and book designer while judging was done by Karina Bolasco, publishing manager of Anvil publishing and Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, a well-recognized children’s book writer.