UP student bags top prize in intl poetry contest

A student of the University of the Philippines (UP) won the top prize in a poetry contest for Filipino students held by the Embassy of Chile and UP. The "unlikely" winner, Rene Calunsag, an Industrial Engineering student of UP, can perhaps relate to what Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's once wrote: "Poetry arrived in search of me." "I really love Math, but I started writing in third grade, and after that was a cascade of writing," said Rene Calunsag, who was awarded the first prize of 1000 US dollars for his poem entitled "The 34th Miner." "I realized that when there were 33 miners, there was supposed to be a 34th because at the time that the 33 miners were freed, the rest of Chile will also be freed. So the 34th miner is the rest of Chile," explained Calunsag. His poem begins: "This cold, dark mine; its silent noise The piercing fear from Death’s grim toys The hard, course ground I slumber in They strangle me—I cannot win" Villarante's "Kiss of Sunrise" places Chile in the bigger picture. "The earth opens up for thirty-three, Chile rises And an entire world grows, Life without death to this story." Calunsag, an honor student, admitted that he had hoped to win the prize. Asked if he thought he would win, he answered "Yes, honestly. I also wanted to get the prize money. First I'm going to pay off our family debt so we can be free of them finally." Celebration of miners' rescue The contest was held in commemoration of the Bicentenary of Independence of the Republic of Chile, and in celebration of the rescue of 33 Chilean miners in San Jose. Over 100 students from all over the Philippines sent in their entries but only six were chosen by the panel of judges headed by H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Chile Professor Dr. Roberto Mayorga. Also on the board of judges was Consul Luis Alberto Palma, Philippine National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose, University Professor Emeritus Gemino Henson Abad, former Vice President for Academic Affairs, UP System Professor Emeritus Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, and UP Vice President for Public Affairs System Professor Isabelita Orlina Reyes. "It is the first time in the history that young people from one country write poems aimed to another country. It is a truly way to create solid cultural and spiritual bridges among countries," said Ambassador Mayorga. Second Prize went to Therese Marie Villarante of Cebu Normal University for her poem "Kiss of Sunrise." The Third Prize was given to Marie Celine Anastasia Socrates of UP Diliman for her poem "Scarred Land." Mariejo Maris Sawal Ramos of UP Diliman won Fourth Prize for "Chile: Hope is in the Heart." The Fifth Prize was given to both David John Descalzo Ubera of Nueva Vizcaya State University for his poem "Chile in the land where the earth ends" and Mirava Yuson of UP Diliman for "Immured." Ramos, the fourth prize winner, said she was surprised that she won. A Journalism major, she said this is her first time to write a poem. "I just tried it. I adored the Chilean miners because of their bravery," she said. Yuson, a Creative Writing major said that the recognition encourages her to write more poetry, which is not her preferred genre. "It's beginner's luck I think, because I'm better at non-fiction than fiction and poetry," she said. The contest specified that the poems must be on or about the Republic of Chile—its bicentenary, people, scenery, culture and/or society and/or the emotions of the poet regarding the successful rescue operations involving 33 Chilean miners in San Jose. Touching tributes While the winners had different approaches, all were recognized as touching tributes to the country Socrates' "Scarred Land" is heavy with meaning, with lines like "Forgetting, after all, is not a matter of time, but of desire." and "When gunshots cease, there will be echoes." Ramos' poem ends with "La esperanza está en el corazon Never falter, Chile, for hope is in the heart." Ubera addresses Chile in his poem: "You are strong and resilient Earthquakes may shake your tunnels But not the foundations of your freedom." Yuson paints a rich picture with "Immured," ending thus: "All that glitters Remains hidden Beyond fathom When one entombed Faces blinding walls Of copper And prison bars Of gold." The winning poems will be published in three languages: English, Spanish and Filipino in an anthology that will be launched in Chile and in the Philippines. – VVP, GMANews.TV