TACLOBAN CITY – The Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) hosted the second installment of the Spoken Word Poetry Competition and Lihok Art Exhibit with the theme “Saving Our Youth Il: Initiatives for Positive Youth Activism to Win Peace.”
The event was held at the Matapat Hall of the Police Regional Office 8, Palo, Leyte from August 10 to 12, 2023 in line with the celebration of the International Humanitarian Law month.
At least 12 spoken poetry artists from all over the region delivered their respective pieces during the competition with Chino Espina declared as the champion winning P5,000.
His runners-up were Krista Rei Agravante in 2nd place and won P3,000 and Mario Abia Jr. who bagged 3rd place and won P2,000.
In his message, city police director PCol Michael Palermo lauded the participants for sharing their talents and using them as a voice to discourage the youth from being influenced by communist group.
“Naniniwala pa rin ako na ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng ating bayan! Sa lahat ng mga kalahok at mga nanalo humahanga ako sa inyong talento at kakayahan,” he said.
“Ipagpatuloy natin at huwag tayong magpagod na waksiin ang maling paniniwala ng makakaliwang grupo, bagkos gamitin natin ang ating boses at kakayanan para ipabatid sa publiko ang tamang pamamaraan tungo sa mapayapa at maunlad pamayanan!” PCol Palermo added.
Eleven artists also displayed their artworks at the Lihok art exhibit which aimed to showcase the work of emerging and established artists to provide them with exposure and recognition in Eastern Visayas.
The exhibit also aimed to raise awareness, promote unity, challenge stereotypes, encourage dialogue, and create a space for artistic expression that highlights the negative impact of terrorism while promoting messages of peace, tolerance, and understanding.
The event was in partnership with the Istilo Poetry, Pitad Kultura Waraynon, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Philippine Army, Hands-Off Our Children Movement -Eastern Visayas, and the Philippine Information Agency.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
