A San Ildefonso National High School student in Bulacan has earned a trip to Berne, Switzerland after she topped the 51st Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Letter Writing Competition for Young People that aims to promote better understanding worldwide through the post office.
The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) said Loraine Evangelista won P25,000 and the prize to travel to the UPU headquarters in Switzerland.
Sharing honors with Evangelista were Lucia Camila Perez Sta. Ana of Paref-Woodrose School Inc. in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City, and Sofia Luxel C. Alburo of General Santos City National High School who placed second and third and also won P15,000 and P10,000 rewards, respectively.
All three winners will also get medals, plaques, and albums of Philippine stamps during the awards rites for them on October 9, which coincides with the worldwide celebration of World Post Day.
The UPU contest for sudents aged 9 to 15 is a yearly event held in the country under the auspices of PHLPost. The UPU involves 192 participating countries. This yearโs contest theme was โWrite a letter to an influential person about why and how to take action on climate change.โ
PHLPost said UPU contest seeks to make young people aware of the important role postal services play in societies; develop their skills in composition and their ability to express their thoughts clearly; foster their enjoyment of letter-writing; and help strengthen the bonds of international friendship, one of the basic missions of the UPU.