SEVENTEEN ARTLETS bagged awards in the 39th Gawad Ustetika Gabi ng Parangal on Saturday, May 4, at the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. building.
Creative writing senior Marie Claire Lagrisola won the Rector’s Literary Award for her essay Isang Liham ng Isang Dating Atleta, which also topped the Sanaysay category. The Rector’s Literary Award is given to the best literary work among the first placers in each category.
Lagrisola’s entry, A Letter from the Living, also received an honorable mention in the Essay category.
Creative writing majors dominated the Poetry category. Michelle Andres bagged first prize with her work A to B. Sophomores Ahlyzza Xaymour Catungal garnered second place with her entry Staircase to Cielo, while Charlou Tolentino Mabanta placed third with her piece Towards Death.
In Fiction, creative writing seniors Karlos Bernardino’s Skwik and the Silver Hair landed first, while Renee Cañete’s Guilty Pleasure won second place.
Creative writing student Jullian Therese Lorenzo won first place in the Essay category with her piece Catalina’s Geas. Bernardino’s essay God’s Favorite Princess secured the second prize.
The Tula category awarded second place to fourth-year creative writing major Jamie Marie Lucading’s Salamin: Koleksyon ng mga Tula, while communication senior Paolo Alejandrino’s Kumpisal won third.
Creative writing senior Roma Reign Molina topped the Katha category with her story Sari-Saksi Store. Lucading won third prize in the category for her work, Kawangis ng Anghel. Molina’s Forget-me-not was also awarded third place in the Dulang May Isang Yugto/One Act Play category.
Five Artlets obtained accolades in the Sanaysay category. Creative writing senior Jericho Christian Lopez placed second with his work Sa Pagitan ng Dalawang Apelyido, followed by Journalism sophomore Mary Jade Gale Jadormio’s Shot Mo Na in third place.
Creative writing majors Giannah Erin Ochoa and Rhea–Ross Chrisel Chan also received honorable mentions under the Sanaysay category with their essays 250 and Byaheng PITX Papunta ‘Kung Saan, respectively.
Fourth-year Creative writing students also swept the Dulang May Isang Yugto/One Act Play category. Aedan Jefferson Doroin Tropa obtained first place with his entry Kumpisalan while Atria Avior Pacaña’s Shiver placed second. Martin Labitan Villanueva’s Magnitud earned an honorable mention in the category.
Law student Hailord Narag Lavarias emerged as the best in the Tula category with his piece Kung Hindi Sasalita. Graduate school student Ma. Doreen Evita Garcia’s Sal and Marilyn won second place.
Another graduate school student, Alexandra Maria Alcasid, won third place for her entry Flight of a Starling.
Graduate school student Noji Bajet brought home two awards in Katha and Sanaysay with his pieces Balanggot and Salimpusa, respectively.
Filipino author and Palanca awardee Roberto Añonuevo was conferred the Parangal Hagbong, an award that honors the achievements and outstanding contributions of Thomasian alumni in art and literature. In his speech, an emotional Añonuevo dedicated the award to those who died In the drug war of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Gawad Ustetika is the annual literary contest organized by The Varsitarian, the official student publication of UST. The competition recognizes outstanding Thomasian writers with their literary craft. This year’s contest drew more than 100 entries. F
