Sol Gadong wins in Panibagong Paraan's essay writing contest
Contestants came from all over the Philippines and so were the winners. The categories were slogan writing, essay writing in English and Filipino, photography and policy proposal contest.
The event was 'The Philippine Development Innovation Marketplace" or "Panibagong Paraan" (New Ways) sponsored primarily by the World Bank and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. For two days on May 26 and 27 at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, fresh perspectives, new ways of looking at and doing things were on display through the various contest categories. This was to spur "development with equity" for all Filipinos; exploring ways of equalizing opportunities for all to have a chance for a better life and work together for the nation's development.
UPV's own, Early Sol A. Gadong won first place in the essay writing contest in English. Her piece was entitled, "Reclaiming the Edge of Education." She is a faculty member of the College of Arts and Sciences and an alumna of UPV. She teaches mathematics at the Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics.
No less than the World Bank Country Director for the Philippines, Joachim von Amsberg, and DSWD Secretary, Esperanza Cabral, awarded the winners. Representatives from partner agencies and other sponsoring groups were also in attendance.
Of the two-day event, Dir. Amsberg had this to say, "we celebrate, learn from, and are inspired by innovative, successful projects and approaches to fight poverty. We welcome common people, expert leaders, government officials and public servants who have come together for a meeting of minds that will help all Filipinos contribute to and benefit from the country's progress."
On what the accomplishment meant to her, Ms. Gadong revealed that, "Winning the essay contest means a lot to me because it makes me feel that there are people who truly believe that quality education made available to everybody, not only to the financially privileged, is one of the key factors to develop our country. I really wish that my message will reach fellow educators and concerned authorities who can make a positive difference in our striving for affordable education."
Excerpts of Ms. Gadong's winning piece are as follows: "As an educator, I have seen first hand the great discrepancies in the amount and quality of education that the Filipino youth receive today. Indeed, our country is faced with a clear crisis of inequity in education."
"A multitude of factors lead to inequity in education. As I see it, these factors can be narrowed down to three --- poverty, politics, and the lack of patriotic fervor."
"...our government should work hand in hand with non-government organizations (NGOs) to develop projects that are meant to be geared strategically towards minimizing financial constraints in attaining education. In addition, parents should be provided with livelihood endeavors so that they are the ones working to support their children and not the other way around."
"A clear manifestation of the great barrier that politics poses for the advancement of education in our country is the blatant mis-allocation of national resources. It is clearly stipulated in our constitution that education should be our nation's top priority but sadly, this is not what is happening today. A great chunk of our budget goes to military expenditures for national defense. Bullets and bombs will not quench our hunger nor will they educate our children!"
"Finally, no amount of strategic planning to combat poverty and politics would ever be effective if we, as a people, do not get involved. We have to believe deep in our hearts that it is indeed possible to contend with the inequities that plague our educational system. We have to give our full support to the policies presented by our government in resuscitating our ailing education system. I personally would like to reach out to Filipino educators like me --- not to be martyrs but to be lovers of the art of educating, to be at the forefront of delivering quality education to the Filipino youth."
"As a member of the youth, it was not so long ago when I was blessed with the premier quality education that our country has to offer. And I believe that our country can offer those who will succeed us better education still. So let me be armed with this youth --- this idealism --- to trust in the fact that achieving equity in education no longer remains a remote possibility. And join me in my fervent belief that by battling poverty and dirty politics, by giving full support to competent national policies, and by loving our country just a little bit more, achieving equity in education will no longer remain a distant dream."
(Lyncen M. Fernandez; with sources from Early Sol Gadong and www.panibagongparaan.com)