"We could hardly believe we'll reap a grand slam victory in the Leyte Landings Feature Story Writing Competition!"

Glam of Victory. IW scribes share victory with Hon. Mimietta Bagulaya, Vice Governor of Leyte (from left: Romeo Gregorio S. Olaybar II, Cris Elliott R. Serrano, Maureen C. Abayon, Daisy Ann F. Libril, Danna Mae A. Lucas, Mark A. Enem; seated from left: Hon. Mimiettta Bagulaya and Dr. Luis A. Flosa, Jr., Head, Student Publications Offifice) after the awarding ceremonies.

These were words of surprise from the entire SPO family. Having had the fi rst down to the sixth placer awardees from the Eastern Visayas State University exceptional staff members of the Student Publications Offi ce could be fantastic but real. Surprise could be the best word to describe how we felt most especially during the time when a certain personnel from the Department of Tourism (DOT) unveiled the good news through an unanticipated phone call.

I could say that we’re all reluctant winners. Why? Looking through the objective of the competition:
“…to write a non-fifi ction form about people, events, and circumstances of the Second World War, with Eastern Visayas as its setting,” we the staffers somehow gave up our confifi dence to win because of the limited knowledge we have had regarding the subject. Personally, I can say that I am a born fi ghter, but there were times that I withdrew facing the battle because I am afraid with the idea of losing. But I realized that the true losers are those who did not attempt to fififi ght.

We the staffers were brave enough to take the risk.

It was in the midmonth of September when Dr. Luis A. Flosa, Jr., our ever-supportive adviser of the Student Publications Office handed to us a letter of communication concerning the 65th Leyte Landings Anniversary Feature Writing Competition. He said that the communication was given to him by our university president, Dr. Catalino B. Beltran, and that Pres. the he re t st of o Bel el Be tr tran w n was as exp xp xpect ect c ecting ing th that at ttu the publications staff will submit their respective entry. Our adviser earnestly cajoled us that we must write an entry for the competition. “Ipakita niyo it iyo pagka-writers,” challenged our adviser.

myself was very hesitant to submit an entry thinking that I had many projects that need to be prioritized. And I knew that when I decide to submit an entry, I have to deal with data gathering and conducting several interviews. It will take a lot of time and effort before I could visualize my article based on the objectives. I was a whole lot worried formy projects.

But everytime I was reminded by the challenging word of our adviser, “ipakita niyo it iyo pagka-writers,” it served as wake-up call for me to prove that I am truly a campus writer. How will I prove that I am a campus writer if I won’t join the competition? And honestly speaking, I do not want to be a cause of disappointment to our adviser. I must leave a remarkable legacy that will make him proud of me…in return of all the encouragement, patience and motivation he bestowed on us. Among the 23 staffers, eight of us submitted our entry. Each of us did our intensive research regarding the Second World War. From visiting the internet as the best provider of data, to exploring the People Center Library down to interviewing living veterans of World War II, yes, we did all these to come out with the best article that we can despite the limited time that we had.

I could still remember those defining moments when I and Marky, our Editor-in-Chief, edited our own articles and hurried ourselves in going to Dr. Danilo Pulma, Dean of the College of Engineering for his endorsement signature. And the quick ride to Leyte Normal University to submit our entries. I could not forget the efforts of Cris, Daisy, Romeo, Danna, Ronna when they had their itinerary to Palo to conduct interviews to their prospect veterans. They have been acquainted with some veterans in Palo and were astonished after hearing the veteran’s stories about their mighty endeavor during the World War II.

And who can forget that surprising call from the DOT who disclosed the results of the winners of the competition which most of us couldn’t believe? I was rattled. I didn’t know how I will gently break the news to our adviser and my fellow staffers who also won, until I reached the Student Publications Office. We were all overwhelmed with happiness upon confirmation that among the seven awardees of the feature writing competition, six were from Eastern Visayas State University, particularly, staffers of the Student Publications Office incredibly knowing that there were other entries from other colleges and universities including U.P. and L.N.U. We were very astounded of the blessings that we have received.

Our grand joy exceeded as we celebrated our thanksgiving victory snack on October 21, 2009 along with Pres. Catalino B. Beltran, Dr. Ma. Socorro C. Gicain, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Mrs. Doris Ann S. Espina, Director of the Administrative Services Department, Dr. Danilo B. Pulma, Dean of the College of Engineering, and Mrs. Letecia A. Urmeneta, Head of the Student Affairs who personally congratulated us.

I have my own principle that not all the things I want, I will get. I only get what I deserve. In my point of view, with the bittersweet endeavor that we gave, I AND THE OTHER FIVE STAFFERS ALL DESERVE TO WIN.