Pinoy nursing student tops intl essay contest

A 20-year-old Filipino nursing student of the University of Santo Tomas topped an essay-writing contest in Japan last month, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.   Dan Erwin Cruz Bagaporo topped the youth category of the Goi Peace Foundation and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization-sponsored International Essay Contest for Young People. Bagaporo received the Ministry of Education award as the top prize at awarding ceremonies held in Tokyo on November 19.   "In his winning essay titled 'Pride in Profession,' Mr. Bagaporo cited how his volunteer experience in a retirement home in the Philippines helped instill his pride as a nursing student, reinvigorate him in becoming more active in the Red Cross and medical missions, and kindle his interest in research and geriatrics after graduation," the DFA said in a news release.   His prize-winning essay may be accessed online, it added.   The DFA said Bagaporo's victory marked the second time that a Filipino won the youth category of the international essay contest.   In 2007, Anna Rose Elicaño won with her essay titled "Amplifying Peace Across Borders."   The contest, with the theme "My Story of Inspiration," attracted almost 7,000 entries from 140 countries in the children and youth categories.   It was was co-sponsored by the Goi Peace Foundation and UNESCO to motivate young people to play a leading role in fostering a culture of peace and sustainable development.   Started in 2000, the International Essay Contest for Young People is one of the peace education programs organized by the Goi Peace Foundation and endorsed by the Ministry Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, the Japanese National UNESCO Commission, NHK (Japan Broadcast Corporation), Nikkei Inc., and the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education.   Goi Peace Foundation was established in Tokyo in 1999 with the approval of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.   It pursues activities based on the vision and principles expressed in its Declaration for All Life on Earth, which was launched in 2000, the International Year for the Culture of Peace.   The Foundation was granted Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in 2004.   It was also admitted to official-relationship status with UNESCO in 2006. - VVP, GMA News