The Association for Philippines-China Understanding (APCU) led by President Sixto Benedicto recently announced the launch of its APCU Youth Essay Contest with the theme “Role of Filipino Youth in Promoting Philippines-China Understanding”, open for Filipino citizens from 18 to 35 years old and residing in the Philippines. APCU is an non-governmental organization led by Chairman Emeritus, former President and now Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Chairman Atty. Raul Lambino, First Vice-Chairman Jeffrey Ng, Second Vice-Chairman Felix Guanzon and President Sixto Benedicto.
APCU founding chairman in 1974 was the National Artist and former Education Secretary Alejandro Roces and another past APCU chairman was National Artist Jose Joya. APCU was organized by Filipino intellectuals, artists and civil society stalwarts during the Cold War, to facilitate China’s relief donation to typhoon victims in the Philippines and to promote better understanding between the two countries. At the recent APCU Youth Essay Contest launch in Quezon City were APCU President Sixto Benedicto, Vice-President Wilson Lee Flores, Vice-President Bernie Miaque and Youth Committee Chairman Mafee Cai.
Here are the guidelines and rules of the APCU Youth Essay Contest:
I. Theme: Role of the Filipino Youth in Promoting Philippines-China Understanding
II. Announcement:
Deadline: March 3, 2023 at 12 noon
Announcement of Winners: March 4, 2023
III. Eligibility:
- Must be Filipino Citizen from 18 years old to 35 years old, residing in the Philippines
- Open to all students and young professionals. Only one entry per person
- Must submit typed essay in form of PDF (1200-1500 words maximum)
- Essays must be typed in Arial font size 12 and paragraph spacing of 1.5
- Essays must be submitted in English. It must be original, relevant with adherence to the topic, grammar and unpublished.
- APCU Board of Trustees, Officers and relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity are not eligible to join the ESSAY WRITING CONTEST.
IV. Criteria
Originality – 25% Creativity – 15%
Content – 25% Grammar – 10% Relevance -25%
V. PRIZES FOR THE FIVE (5) SELECTED WINNERS
- Round trip air ticket from Manila to China, free Accommodations, Food and stipend allowance
Travel as part of the entourage led by APCU Chairman Emeritus and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from March 31 to April 4, 2023 on a unique China tour across its major cities Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Changsha, Guangzhou or Shenzhen.
- Publish work in APCU website and social media platforms
VI. For details, contact APCU at 09480079489
All Essays must be emailed to apcu1974@gmail.com and apcusecretariat@apcu.org.ph# (Wilson Lee Flores, Pandesal Forum Moderator)
