‘Bagong Pilipinas’ arts contest for college students launched

MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has launched several student competitions focusing on the Marcos administration’s slogan “Bagong Pilipinas.”

Separate competitions for short film, song, essay, mural painting, and spoken word poetry have been lined up in the nationwide and regional contests which are open to college students.

The competitions are also held in observance of Communications Month this October.

Cash prizes are between P10,000 and P50,000 at the regional level and as high as P300,000 at the national level. The national winners in the short film competition will also be awarded laptop computers and audiovisual gadgets.

The deadline for the submission of entries at the regional level is on Nov. 20. Top winners in the regions will be eligible to compete at the national level.

Participants must ensure that their submissions are original works, the PCO said. Plagiarism or the use of copyrighted material without proper permission will lead to disqualification.

The complete mechanics and other details have been uploaded on the PCO’s Facebook page.

‘Overarching theme’

Proclamation No. 308, issued in August, sets October as Communications Month in recognition of the vital role of communications and information in nation-building. The PCO also celebrates its anniversary on Oct. 11.

In July, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin issued Memorandum Circular No. 24 launching “Bagong Pilipinas” as a governance brand.

According to the circular, Bagong Pilipinas is the “overarching theme” of the administration’s brand of governance and leadership. The theme “calls for deep and fundamental transformations in all sectors of society and government, and fosters the state’s commitment towards the attainment of comprehensive policy reforms and full economic recovery.”

Bagong Pilipinas represents “a principled, accountable and dependable government reinforced by united institutions of society, whose common objective is to realize the goals and aspirations of every Filipino,” the circular said.