Health and literacy take the forefront in the first-ever Gawad Panitikang Pangkalusugan: A Nationwide Children’s Book Writing Competition created by the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority of the UP – College of Medicine.

In celebration of their Diamond Anniversary, this multi-awarded organization developed this pioneering contest which aims to produce top-notch children’s books focusing on health education.

With the desire to positively influence the health-seeking behaviors of the youth, and to tap the literary gifts of would-be writers nationwide, this competition was launched last December 2009 and concluded just this July 2010. With the theme Tabi-tabi po: Exploring Philippine Health Myths, the competition was met with enthusiasm and outstanding support – receiving a total of 144 entries from various regions of the country.

 And now, the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority proudly presents its winners:

Brain/Behavior: 

“MAKI’S COLORFUL WORLD” by Nikolai

                                Writer: Margaret P. Yarcia, 23/F, Diliman QC

                                                MA Psychology, UP Diliman             

                “CROOKED” by Maria Colonia

                                Writer: Mary Gigi Constantino, 28/F, BLs Paranaque, Metro Manila

                                                Software Engineer, Accenture

Fever/Infections:

                “THE SPIRIT OF THE RAIN” by Oudein

                                Writer: John Anthony D. Tindoc, 24/M, Ermita, Manila

                                                Medical Student, UPCM

Stomach:

                “FIVE SECONDS ONLY” by Bunny Lyn

                                Writer: Hannah Lyn C. Creencia, 20/F, Cagayan de Oro City

                                                B.A. Mass Communications, Silliman University

Nutrition:

                “THE UNTOLD STORY OF SUPER BOY” by Bayang Magiliw

                                Writer: Benjamin R. Mangubat, 55/M, Makati City

                                                Professor, UP Manila

Congratulations to all the winners!

Thank you to all the supporters of the Gawad Panitikang Pangkalusugan!

Check out our "Resources" page for downloadable reference materials in PDF format!

For any inquiries, feel free to write us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Best of luck to all!

Keep those entries coming!!!

The Mu Sigma Phi Sorority is still accepting entries for the first Gawad Panitikang Pangkalusugan, a Nationwide Children's Storybook Writing Competition on Health.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

The contest is open to all individuals aged 18 and above and currently residing in the Philippines. Participants are challenged to break away from a clinical, straightforward, and sanitized presentation of health, and to mold it in a form that is enjoyable and of interest for its young audience. We highly encourage participants to explore different writing methods, literary forms (prose or narrative poetry), genres (i.e. comedy, horror, science fiction, fantasy) and approaches in presenting an otherwise serious and scientific topic. Entries should be easy to read by children aged five to ten (5-10) years old, and can be easily relayed to them by their parents or guardians.

SUBMISSION MECHANICS

Entries must be limited to five hundred (500) words and must be written in English, for eventual translation into Filipino. The stories must be able to sustain a 24-page picture book. Entries must be typewritten or a computer print-out in black ink on white paper, double-spaced on 81/2 x 11 inches bond paper (letter-sized) with one-inch margins on all sides. If computerized, the font should be Arial or Times New Roman, with font size 12. An official entry shall consist of an original and 5 copies of the story, placed in an envelope, on the face of which only the pen name of the contestant should appear. This should be submitted together with a fully-accomplished application form, available on www.gawadpanitikan.com. All entries must be sent through snail mail to P.O. Box 608, Philippine Postal Corporation, CPO Manila, Philippines, 1099. A contestant may send in more than one entry.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS

Submission of entries is extended until 30 June 2010. Winners will be announced on July 2010.

THEME

“Tabi-tabi po”: Exploring Philippine Health Myths

Entries must tackle health myths corresponding to any one of seven categories, namely: Lungs (i.e. TB, Pneumonia, cough, colds); Stomach (i.e. diarrhea, intestinal worms/”bulate”); Skin/Bones (i.e. wounds, lice, warts, scabies, fracture/“pilay”); Brain/Behavior (i.e. epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, child development, enuresis, childhood aggression, autism); Fever/Infections (i.e. measles, mumps, chicken pox, otitis media, conjunctivitis/"red eye"); Vaccination; and Nutrition (i.e. childhood obesity/”malusog” vs “mataba”, food supplements). Reference materials are available at www.gawadpanitikan.com.

PRIZES

There will be a total of seven winning entries, one for each category. The judges, however, reserve the right to declare that there are no winners in some or all categories. Each winner will receive Php 25,000 in cash, a medal, and an opportunity to be published as a full-colored picture book in a 7-volume storybook series. Published books will be donated to AHON Foundation, Klase sa Kariton* and other beneficiaries.

VISIT www.gawadpanitikan.com or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details and inquiries.