To continue its mission to promote literacy in the Philippines, the Francis Padua Papica Foundation is now inviting schools and its students to participate in the 2nd Mega Kwentong Pambata ng Papica Foundation National Short Story Writing Contest.

Last year, 15 talented students were selected to receive the FPPFI Leadership Medal Award, P10,000 cash prize, a fouryear College Scholarship Grant from AMA Computer College and all their submitted stories compiled, illustrated and published in a book titled "May Kuwento Po Ako, A Book for Kids by Kids" now available in all Powerbooks outlets in Metro Manila.

This year’s contest theme is Bayani ng Bayan Ko! (The Hero of my Town). Participants can write about one person who they think has made the greatest impact on them and their town. The writer must specify how that person affected the people and their outlook in life. Anyone can become a hero in his own way. An ordinary man on the street can become a hero with his worthy contributions to society. The person doesn’t have to acquire medals, be famous nor earn a degree.

To join, contestants must be between 9 to 12 years old at the time of the contest deadline. Entries must be an original unpublished work for the author. The entry must be in an essay or a short story format about the life of the chosen hero. All entries should have a little and its body length should have a maximum of 750 words. Entries must be typewritten with font size 12, font type Arial or Times New Roman and double-spaced. The entry must be printed out in a letter size white bond paper (8.5 x 11"). All pages should contain the entry title with the page number at the upper right header of the paper. Participants can use either English or Filipino. All entries must have a completed Entry Form. Participants can request for the entry form from their school administrators. They can also download the entry form at www.papicafoundation.com or request for one at fppfi@yahoo.com.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria: originality (25 percent); structure, grammar and spelling (25 percent); creativity (25 percent); and content (25 percent). Each contestant may send only one entry. Winning entries will become a property of the Francis Padua Papica Foundation, Inc. Each contestant must send photo/s of their chosen hero to support their entry (optional).

All entries must be received by August 1, at 11:59 pm. Winners will be notified via letter, call and e-mail by October 1. To submit, enclose the entry in a short brown envelope together with the completed entry form and mail to: Mga Kwentong Pambata ng Papica Foundation, Backroom Inc., Unit 207 #116, CRM Bldg., Kamias Road cor. Kasing-Kasing St., Quezon City, Philippines. Or submit an electronic copy of the story and the completed entry form via e-mail to FPPFI@yahoo.com.

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