A story about a 15-year old lookout and runner for Bulacan guerillas against Japanese forces won the coveted grand prize in the second installation of World War II True Stories, an annual narrative writing contest jointly sponsored by Philippine Veterans Bank and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Jehu Raymundo, an incoming 4th year high school student at Caloocan City Science High School, told the story of his grandmother’s exploits as a runner/lookout for Filipino guerrilla forces during the war and how she warned the latter of Japanese forces movements. Raymundo’s narrative was chosen as the best story from 143 entries submitted to the contest by high school students from all across the country. He was coached by his teacher, Mr. Melvin Navarro.

For his win, Raymundo received a laptop, a printer, and a PVB savings account worth P10,000.

Second place went to Karen G. Tillada from Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School in Laguna, who wrote about a World War II medic. She was coached by Ms. Leizel Melad. She took home a desktop computer and a savings account worth P7,000 for her second-place finish.

Arabella Baltazar, an incoming 4th year student from Bukidnon National High School in Malaybalay City, won third place with her story about a soldier who almost went AWOL after his first encounter with the enemy. She was coached by Ms. Floreibel Gultiano. For winning third place, Baltazar took home a digital camera and a PVB savings account worth P5,000.

Like last year’s contest, a consolation award was doled out this time around and the lucky winner was Beatriz Andrea Morente, an incoming 2nd year high school student from Philippine Women’s University in Manila. Coached by Ms. Editha Celis, Morente narrated the story of former senator Helena Benitez who served as an auxiliary nurse during the war.

In addition, all the winning students’ coaches also received a special prize of a PVB savings account worth P5,000 each.

The winning students received their prizes from PVB in an awarding ceremony held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City. Subsequently, all winning entries to the World War II True Stories Writing Contest were published weekly in Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Learning Section.

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For any questions or clarifications, please call:
Mike Villa-Real
Vice-President
Corporate Communications and Marketing Services Dept.
Tel: 902-1670
Email: mcvillareal@veteransbank.com.ph