In a display of artistry and creativity, Sharmane Rellama, a Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) Major in Filipino senior from the College of Education at Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), was recognized as a National Awardee in the spoken word poetry category at the Philippine Communications Office (PCO) CommUnity Campus Caravan Awarding Ceremony held at the Heritage Hotel, Pasay City, on October 25.
Rellama emerged as the Region 3 champion in the spoken word poetry contest but missed the chance to land a podium finish in the nationals.
In an interview, the BSEd senior shared that, despite her fears of failing, she pushed through with her application and participated in the competition.
“Bilang kalahok, kabado talaga nang sobra. Hindi kase talaga biro ‘yung mag-fail ako nang ilang beses to be on top sa mga regional literary contests na sinalihan ko kung saan bitbit-bitbit ko ang name ng PSAU. Pero nung sinabi ni Ma’am Jasmin, coach ko, na sumali ako dahil kaya ko naman, hindi ako nagdalawang-isip. Sinabi ko na lang no’n, hangga’t may mga taong naniniwala na kaya ko, susubok at susubok ako,” Rellama shared.
The BSEd Filipino senior also reflected on the significance of her win, saying, “Itong parangal na ‘to para sa’kin ay isang testamento na hindi pala talaga biro ang panitikan at sining. Totoong nakabubuo siya ng pangarap, ng identidad ng tao, ng kakayahan [at] maging kasiyahan na magpatuloy—sumulat, magtanghal, at maging [at] inspirasyon sa iba.”
The PCO CommUnity Campus Caravan, under the Office of the President of the Philippines, aims to promote media and information literacy among the youth.
𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘑𝘶𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘴 𝘗𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘭
𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢
𝘓𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘢𝘭