Twelve Filipino children aged 5 to 10 joined Tinig UK’s first essay writing competition to mark World Children’s Day. Many of them wrote about their love for their grandparents, cousins and uncles and aunts. They also talked about their favourite Filipino food and their memorable experiences in the Philippines: swimming, hearing the sound of dogs barking or playing in the rain. Here are our six winners and their essays.
First prize, 5 to 7 years old category – Leonardo Roy Levett
Leo, 5, recently discovered Pokemon and could talk for hours on it. Mostly though, Leo is a very sociable boy who prefers others’ company and experiences over toys. He looks forward to yearly trips to the Philippines when he gets to spend every day with his bigger family.
Leo writes: “I love going to the filwppeens becus I get to see my cusins and lolo and lola. Wee olways eet at Jolibee. I lic chicen jio (joy) and chips. I miss going to the arcad and swiming with my cusins.”
First prize, 8 to 10 years old category – Tumini Grace Allison
Tumini, 8, describes herself as half-Nigerian and half-Filipino. She loves to write, draw and paint. She also enjoys swimming, dancing, singing and playing role play games with her younger sister. She currently collects Hello Kitty soft toys.
In her essay, she writes: “One of my favourite sounds is when the dogs in the house bark very happy to what is happening…I like being a philippino because I like the way the language is spoken and how the food is made and how it sounds.”
Joint second prize – Chelsea Carag
Chelsea, 10, enjoys watching movies and listening to music. She is a self-proclaimed “Jollibee baby” having celebrated her 1st and 7th birthday at the same Jollibee outlet at Bonifacio Global City (BGC). She is also a big fan of Phillippine mangoes and puto.
Joint second prize – Carnes Layao
Carnes, 9, is in Year 5 at Saint Saviours Primary School in Walthamstow. She loves painting and doing crafts.
Here’s part of what Carnes wrote in her essay: “When you look at Filipino’s don’t think about their appearance, think about their heart because eventhough they may look ungrateful their heart is much more warmer in the inside. Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
Third prize – Jamie-Abigail Pooten
Jamie, 9, enjoys swimming, singing and going out for hot chocolate. She also loves to compete!
Jamie describes having discovered the joy of playing in the rain the Philippines. She writes: “With the rain, it was an exciting experience, although cold I enjoyed it and the pressure was amazing especially from the water spout. I felt free and full of energy.”
Fourth prize – Georginna Wigley
Georginna, 9, lives in north Wales. Her favourite things in the world are drama, dance and singing!
In her essay, Georginna writes: “My favourite thing about the Philippines is my Filipino family friends here. the best one of them all they are so generous giving me new clothes, giving me the expensive stuff and most of all give me love and warm hugs.”
