In its campaign to encourage more couples to adopt, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD FO6) held an Inter-school Poster-making Contest in line with the theme “Pagmamahal Palaganapin, Legal na Pag-aampon ating Gawin” (Spread Unconditional Love through Legal Adoption).

“I believe that through this activity, people’s consciousness regarding the significance of adoption will certainly be well raised,” said Melin S. Gerona, Adoption Resource and Referral Sector (ARRS) Focal. More than 30 entries from different High Schools and Universities were judged during the final evaluation held last July 29, 2017 at Carlos Bakeshop, Iloilo City.

The poster-making competition was judged by renowned visual artists in Iloilo including Raji J. Alvarado, Jeanroll Ejar and Vic Fario.

The activity was undertaken in partnership with the Panay Adoptive Parents Association (PAPA) which is a newly organized group of adoptive parents in Panay to serve as support group among adoptive parents and advocates on legal adoption.

The results of the Poster-making Contest are as follows:

For High School level – First Place, Fhyrnzy Glen Deo S. Abella of Immaculate Concepcion Parochial School-Iloilo Inc.; Second Place, Meliza Louise Javellana of Central Philippine University High School & Vincent Louie Tumilba of Holy Rosary Academy; and Third Place, Ben Cantomayor of Leonora S. Salapantan National High School.

For College level – First Place, Anselmo, Jr. B. Aurelio of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU-Arevalo); Second Place, Catherine Monette A. Cervantes of JBLFMU – Molo; and Third Place, Justine Salazar of Western Visayas College of Science and Technology.

The first placers will receive a cash prize amounting to 3,000 pesos; second placers, 2,000 pesos; and third placers, 1,000 pesos. Certificates of Appreciation will also be given to all participating students.

“I am so happy with the results of the contest. It is heartwarming to see how the youth participants depicted adoption as something so radiant and moving at the same time.” related Mark Cabag, PAPA President. “I think that these creative displays will succeed on extending consciousness to the society,” he finally added./XzrabelleServento/dswd6/