PhlPost invites young students to join in int'l writing contest

By Jimmyley I. Guzman

Monday 30th of July 2012

MANILA, July 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine Postal Corporation (PhlPost) is inviting students 15-years-old and below, to join the 42nd Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Letter Writing Competition for Young People.

The annual contest organized by PhlPost under the auspices of the Universal Postal Union is composed of 191 countries around the world wherein the Philippines is an active member.

In a statement, the theme for the 2013 international writing contest focuses on the importance of water. The contestants will be asked to write a letter to someone to tell them “why water is precious.” The theme also coincides with the International Decade for Action, "Water for Life" 2005–2015.

The composition must be in a letter form, must be recent, written in English, in accordance with the theme, typewritten, and must not exceed the 800-word limit.

Likewise, entries must contain the elements of a letter, the place and date, addressee’s address, opening and closing salutation and signature.

On a separate sheet of paper, the participant must also indicate the following information: number of words used in the letter, complete name and address, gender, age, date of birth along with 2x2 colored photos, name and address of school, grade or year level and contact numbers (telephone or cellphone).

The criteria for judging are: relevance to the theme of the competition-30 percent; imagination and originality of the contents-20 percent; demonstrates a good style of writing and communication-20 percent; demonstrates an extensive vocabulary-20 percent and youthfulness of tone-10 percent.

The first prize winner will receive P15,000; second prize - P10,000; and third prize - P5,000. All winners will also be awarded medals, plaques, and albums of Philippine stamps.

The winning piece will also be sent by PhlPost as the Philippines’ official entry in the worldwide letter writing competition to be held in Berne, Switzerland.

All entries must be mailed at any post office nationwide via express or registered mail not later than October 9 to: Office of the Assistant Postmaster General for Operations c/o Jocelyn E. Cacho, Special Project Officer, 3/F Philippine Postal Corporation, Liwasang Bonifacio 1000 Manila.

For more information, please visit the PhlPost website at www.philpost.gov.ph or the Universal Postal Union at www.upu.int/letter writing/en/index.shtml or contact the telephone numbers 527-0108, 527-0059 and 527-0074. (PhlPost/RJB/JEG-PIA NCR)