Commerce stude wins essays
by Louis Kong

After taking first place in the “Why support the Arts?” essay writing contest sponsored by the Cebu Arts Council last May, Management Accounting student Achinette Joy Villamor bested other writers from the Visayas with her essay, “Learning from Cynthia” in the recently-concluded 3rd Ramon Magsaysay Essay Writing Contest.

This is the third consecutive time that a Carolinian has held the title for Visayas, the previous winners of the college category being Stevenson Yu and Kaira Zoe Alburo.

“To write of Cynthia,” Villamor’s essay began, “and all that she has done for thousands of Burmese refugees would be to write of how hope glimmered in the bleak and desolate dirt roads of Mae Sot.” The essay then went on describing the personal lessons Villamor has learned from Cynthia Maung, the woman doctor of a war-torn border whose work has imbued within her “a sense of recognition, of positive understanding that though their praises are unsung, everywhere in the world there are countless women who, through strong leadership and boundless acts of bravery and compassion, have held families and communities together, sustained daily life, and preserved the hope that despite crises, wars, and conflicts, the innate decency of humanity will prevail.”

“And I live in the glorious hope,” Villamor continued, “that as a woman, I too may have the same strength, the same passion and compassion to ease pain, if not take it away, to give to those who have never had hope, to those who may never have peace, never know love, never know moments, space, or the strength of telling.”

University of the Philippines-Los Baños’ Lourdes Caballero won the grand prize. Other winners for the college category include Luthfi Soekartawi of De la Salle University for NCR and Margarita of for Mindanao.

Incidentally, this year’s winner for Visayas, high school category, is Villamor’s younger sister, Afrille who, at 13, also happens to be the youngest winner since the competition commenced in 2000.

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