COTABATO CITY – Activities related to World Food Day, which is celebrated annually on the 16th of October, has started in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). This year’s celebration carries the theme “Social Protection and Agriculture: Breaking the cycle of rural poverty.”
As an initial activity, the region’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF-ARMM) organized an on-the-spot mosaic poster-making contest held on September 28, at the DAF-ARMM regional office in Cotabato City.
Students from four elementary schools from Maguindanao participated in this activity. Tenorio Elementary School from Datu Odin Sinsuat bested three other schools namely Datu Pinguiaman Elementary School, Sarmiento Central Elementary School, and Making Elementary School.
The activity is in collaboration with the region’s Department of Education, and international organizations, specifically the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme.
Grand prize winner Khasmira Tuankali, 11, Grade 6 student of Tenorio Elementary School said she practiced almost everyday before the actual competition and has asked her friends and coach for new ideas and on how to develop her craft. Tenorio Elementary School has won the championship title since 2013.
Khasmira won P3,000 and a medal. She will represent the region in the nationwide poster-making competition on October 16 at the Agriculture department’s national office.
Teacher Lilibeth Gomez, Khasmira’s coach, said she is preparing her student for the national competition. Winning a national event, she said, does not only bring pride to her school but also to the entire region.
The contenders from ARMM were among the top five winners for two consecutive years since 2013. Kadiguia Abdullah, information office head at DAF-ARMM, said that they are aiming for a three-peat this year.
Winners of the contest were judged based on the following criteria: 20% for originality, 20% for visual impact, 30% for creativity using abundantly produced agri-seeds and aquamarine products, and 30% for theme relevance. ARMM is among the country’s leading producers of crops like cassava, rice, corn and coffee. (Bureau of Public Information)
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