PHLPost announces national winners for 53rd UPU Int’l Letter Writing tilt

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) recently announced the national winners of the 53rd Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Letter Writing Competition for Young People aimed to encourage young people to articulate their thoughts on current global challenges and propose innovative solutions.

This year’s winners are Ms. Karylle Mitch V. Salazar, a student of Saint Mary’s Academy of San Nicolas, Inc. Cebu City– first prize; Ms. Mathea Lyf Aire N. Elorde, of Kong Hua School, Cagayan de Oro – second prize; and Ms. Shania Mae M. Logronio of Atanacia L. Logronio Integrated School, Lanao del Norte - third prize.

The first prize winner will be awarded with Php20,000 cash, the second prize -P15,000 and third prize - P10,000 plus corresponding medals, and certificates for the winners. The chosen theme for this year is: “Write a letter to future generations about the world you hope they inherit.”



Ms. Karylle Mitch V. Salazar’s winning entry will represent the country in the worldwide competition to be held in Berne, Switzerland.



Part of her letter read: “In a world of serenity may you never fail to remember that love and compassion will always form the real definition of beauty. With utmost truthfulness, may these words reach you significantly. May you always be reminded that behind this letter is someone who hopes for a bright future ahead of you”.



This year’s judges were led by PHLPost Chief of Staff Marcos Ryan Laurente, School Press Advisers Movement Inc. Founder Dr. Melanie Viloria-Briones, ED. D, University of Sto. Tomas Office of Public Affairs Acting Director Michaella Lagniton, MA, and Presidential Communications Office Director for Digital Media and Communications Faith De Guia.

The contest is designed to develop the young people's skills in composition and the ability to express their thoughts clearly, to foster their enjoyment of letter-writing and to help strengthen the bonds of international friendship – one of the basic missions of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations wherein PHLPost is an active member.

Bigger than basketball: Fighting Maroons give back to indigenous communities in Butuan

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

On May 14, 2024 UP President Atty. Angelo "Jijil" Jimenez unveiled the new motto of the University of the Philippines, adding "Service" to the current values each Iskolar ng Bayan is expected to live up to - Honor and Excellence.

"Honor and Excellence has long been the motto of our beloved University. But let us not forget the root of our very existence- that is, to serve. That is why we should always remember to live by our new motto 'Honor and Excellence in the Service of the Nation'. 

It's our reason for being," said President Jimenez, born with roots from the Manobo Tribe in Butuan City.

And that is what the UP Men's Basketball Team did during their weekend trip to Butuan City on May 18 and 19. 

Through the initiative of UP President Jimenez and the Office of the University President, the UP Fighting Maroons, in partnership with the UP Alumni Association, One Meralco Foundation, More Power, and Chooks to Go, turned over television sets, school supplies, and machineries that will benefit the students and teachers at Mahayahay Elementary School and nearby community.

"Syempre nakakataba ng puso and natutuwa kami na nakatulong kami sa kanila, kahit sa maliit na paraan lang ba. Nagpapasalamat kami kay President Jijil na ininvolve niya ang team dito. Sana hindi ito ang last time na makasama kami sa ganitong projects n'ya," said Butuan City native JD Cagulangan. 

The Fighting Maroons then took part in a tree planting activity in the said community.

The Diliman-based squad flew to Butuan City to play against Cebu’s University of San Carlos Warriors in an invitational game that celebrated Butuan City’s Balangay Festival 2024 at the Fr. Saturnino Urios University Gym.

The Fighting Maroons bested the CESAFI 2023 bronze medalists, 90-49, in Cagulangan's homecoming game.

The PELÍCULA>Pelikula Spanish Film Festival begins with a special section dedicated to sports

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

This year’s PELÍCULA>Pelikula Spanish Film Festival starts early with a special section dedicated to sports. Coinciding with the last match of La Liga, the top division of the Spanish football league system, from May 23 – 26, four Spanish language films will be screened at the Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Theatre in Mandaluyong, prior to the main Festival which will be held on the first week of October. 

All the screenings are FREE entrance on a first come, first served basis. All the movies are in Spanish with English subtitles. For updates, please visit the Facebook page of Instituto Cervantes (InstitutoCervantesManila) and Instagram (institutocervantesmanila).

The PELÍCULA>Pelikula Spanish Film Festival is organized by Instituto Cervantes, the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, the AECID and La Liga, in collaboration with Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Theatre, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and with the support of Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. 

THE FILMS 

Días de futbol (David Serrano, 2003). A group of friends who, unhappy with how their lives turned out, attempt to form a football team, just like when they were young, to see if they can finally win something in their lives. 

La Gran Familia Española (Daniel Sánchez Arévalo, 2013). During the World Cup Final in South Africa, while all of Spain comes to a standstill, a wedding takes place, and a family with five children also faces the most important game of their life.

Futbolín (Juan José Campanella, 2013). An animated film about Amadeo, a shy boy who will have to face a skilled rival known as “El Crack”, counts on the invaluable help of some foosball players led by the “Wing”, a charismatic right winger. 

Campeonex (Javier Fesser, 2023). Sequel to the 2018 film Campeones, which was also shown in the 2018 Pelikula Film Festival, our team of “champions” abandons basketball for track and field. Between the harsh demands of the new discipline and the rookie coach’s surprising ability to attract all sorts of misfortunes, everything turns out upside down.