‘Calidad humana’ essay writing contest deadline extended

But what is “calidad humana”? “Strength of human character “is what the Spanish phrase means, mirrored in a life of virtue encompassing everything that contributes to a culture of excellence. And it is the name and theme of a unique essay-writing contest open to students aged below 30 years old, from high school to post-graduate school. The good news is, its deadline is being extended until February 15, 2012.

 

Contestants may submit narrative essays, stories of individuals, families or groups whose life showcases human qualities that sum up to heroic levels of character and disposition—thus, calidad humana. The setting of the narrative could be family, the school, the community, the nation, or even the world, as long as the essay convinces the reader of the constant strength of character of the individual, family or group. Entries are individual; only one entry per contestant is allowed.

 

Jointly sponsored by the Embassy of Chile, the University of Santo Tomas and the University of Asia and the Pacific, the contest seeks pieces addressed to readers of weekly magazines carried by dailies with nationwide circulation.

 

Content or the story thread will form 40 percent of an entry’s score; another 40 percent goes to the use of the tools of language, coherence, grammar and other mechanics of writing; while the remaining 20 percent will be determined by the impact of the essay on the readers. Finalists will also be interviewed.

 

Three winners will each be awarded a round trip ticket for two to either Cebu or Boracay, along with pocket money cash reward of US $1,000, 600 and 400, for the first, second and third place winners.

 

Deadline for the submission of entries is February 15, 2012. For more details including procedure in submitting entries, please visit chilebtg.uap.asia, email chilebtg@gmail.com, or call Ria Cayton at 02 6370912 loc. 227. Press release from University of Sto. Tomas