Two Mindanaos Becoming One, How and When? Takes It All

Kurt Peconada reading his winning piece entitled “Two Mindanaos Becoming One, How and When?” And Peconada receives his award from Shamim Usman, of the Voice of Mindanao and the group that participated in the writing contest on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geonarri Solmerano)

KIDAPAWAN, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 29, 2008) - “Two Mindanaos Becoming One, How and When?” This was the winning piece of Kurt Peconada, from Kidapawan National High School, who won in Wednesday’s Peace Mindanao Feature Writing Contest held in Kidapawan City in the southern Philippines.

An excerpt from the awarding ceremony invitation reads: “There are two Mindanao in this country. One is staining at the leash eager to spring forward and live in a world of peace and prosperity. The other Mindanao is holding on to the leash. One Mindanao wants peace; the other Mindanao plaques us with violence. One Mindanao lives in the optimism of our hearts; the other Mindanao lurks in the skepticism of our minds. One Mindanao hopes and dreams; the other Mindanao destroy."

The contest was participated by various secondary schools from Kidapawan City. It was sponsored by the Zamboanga City-based MEIN College Language Center, the Department of Education, the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation, the Lungsod Ng Kidapawan and the Voice of Mindanao. (Geonarri Solmerano)