THE University of San Carlos Department of Communications, Linguistics and Literature (DCLL) in cooperation with Societatis Lingua Artes (Solares), the student organization of the department, conducted the DCLL-School of Arts and Sciences Spoken Word Poetry Competition online via Zoom on Thursday, April 15, 2021.
According to the event organizer, Dr. Cindy Velasquez, the activity was held in celebration of the National Literature Month, which is observed every April.
The literary event also aimed to encourage the youth to give voice to their experiences amid the Covid-19 pandemic and create a change by using their voices in spitting out rhymes and metaphors.
DCLL chairperson Joseleanor Magno encouraged the performances to be in the Philippine languages (Filipino, Cebuano and English) to engage the public in linguistic diversity.
The board of judges consisted of Fely Latras, Dr. Bea Martinez and Dr. Hope Sabanpan-Yu.
Hannah Riczel Genova (Marie Ernestine School – Cebu City) bagged the first place with the piece “The Power of Stories.”
Jet Lee Bermudez (Universidad de Zamboanga – Senior High School) got second place with his piece “Bidlisiw.”
Third place went to Aidan Bernales (Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu) with his piece “Your Poetry Sucks.”
Cash prizes were awarded to the winners. All the participants received books from the Cebuano Studies Center in recognition of their efforts to share their talents in the contest.
Other student participants in the competition were Nicole Cifra (Holy Family of Nazareth School – Bohol), Johnfrey Amistad (Mindanao State University – General Santos City), Shiena May Romano (Patronage of Mary Development School – Boljoon), Maria Angel Nadora (Maligaya National High School – Nueva Ecija), Sherwin Jade Salem (Col. Griffin National High School – Negros Occidental), Juvy Maneja (ACES Polytechnic College Inc. – Davao del Norte), and Edrian dela Cruz (Malvar Senior High School – Batangas).