The NBDB is proud to announce the winners of the first Gawad Panitikang Pangkalusugan, a nationwide children’s storybook writing competition on Health which generated 145 entries nationwide.

This contest is organized by the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority of the University of the Philippines’ College of Medicine with the following sponsors – the National Book Development Board, MSD, National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), Businessworld, Jesuit Communications and NU 107.

The winners are:

a) Maki’s Colorful World (Brain/Behavior) by Margaret P. Yarcia. In a story about a world where people don’t grow old, the author touches our heart with the innocent appreciation of a child for one who is perceived by others as different.
Taking up MA Psychology in the University of the Philippines, Diliman, the author is a full-time editor for a content development firm and a graduate student of Psychology in UP Diliman. She is a long-time writer; formerly a feature writer and feature editor for the Philippine Collegian.

b) Crooked (Brain/Behavior) by Mary Gigi Constantino. Drawing inspiration from her experience as a volunteer in a summer camp for special kids, the author breaks perceptions about children with Cerebral Palsy.
The author is currently working as a software engineer for Accenture. She maintains her own writer’s blog and is a member of the LIRA Poetry Group. She graduated with a degree in BS Computer Science Major in Information Technology in De La Salle University and with a degree in Caring for the Special Child (FMDS) through the U.P. Open University.

c) The Spirit of the Rain (Fever/Infections) by John Anthony D. Tindoc. In this vivid creation by the author, a spirit of nature communes with children to bring light to misconceptions about illnesses.
The author is currently a medical student in the University of the Philippines – College of medicine. He is a Registered Medical Technologist having graduated magna cum laude from Siliman University.

d) Five Seconds Only (Stomach) by Hannah Lyn C. Creencia. A delightful tale about an oft-repeated remark, this story gives children a peek into a “microscopic” world.
A recent magna cum laude graduate of Mass Communications in Siliman University, the author credits inspiration for the story from her deep appreciation of good food. She has several published articles and essays most notably her award-winning piece in the IYPE International Student Essay-Writing Contest held in the IYPE Global Launch in Paris, France.

e) The Untold Story of Superboy (Nutrition) by Benjamin R. Mangubat. Addressing the problematic eating habits of today’s youth, the author tells the tale of how easily cute can become unhealthy.
A professor of history in the University of the Philippines – Manila, the author has written various literary works and has won in several competitions. Most notably, he won 3rd place in the 1998 National Centennial Literary Awards. His writing and other creative works are posted in his website.

The following professional illustrators recognized for their contribution to the project are: Randy P. Valiente, John Kendrick Torres Bautista, Valerie Jan Villaflor, Martin Malabanan and Jodi Bess H. Lego.
The NBDB endorsed this contest through a letter to all its registered authors and published the contest details online: on its website and two Facebook accounts. The Awarding of Winners was held on 25 August 2010 at Filipinas Heritage Library.