Congrats to PIWC Essay Writing Contest Winners 2017

By: Christian L & ChaCha M & Xavier D

 

Pictured Pictured above with some PIWC members are the 10 essay-ists who participated in the youth contest, chaired by Josefina P. Abaya-Wee Sit,namely: Angela Mihma Achanzar, Seri Cho, Audrey Galimba, Jocelyn Mercado, Joey Pascarella, Louis Pascarella, Kayla Tejero, Joshua Patrick Ramos, Juliana Vargas, Reijhay Vargas. The cash prizes of the contest winners were provided by some benev-olent PIWC members: Jo Abaya-Wee Sit, Neriza Pineda, Leticia Freihaut, Mar Lapena, and Jean Paredes. Likewise, Tony and Susan Silvan() donated the $20 bonus for each essay.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

First Prize- PIWC Essay Writing Contest

May 27, 2017- EBG Systems, Inc., Chicago, IL

by Audrey Galimba

Grade 10- AC Flora High School, South Carolina

Parents: Nelson Galimba and Melanie Palomares

I shut the front door behind me as I step into my house, taking off my shoes and taking a deep breath, and I smile as I inhale the delicious, comforting aroma of my favorite meal, nilaga. The radio is playing, and I hear chatter from the dining room. I walk towards the voices, which I quickly recognize as my parents’. In hushed whispers, they speak, absorbed in their conversation, without so much as a hello for me. Immediately, I am suspicious.

How often are both of my parents home before I am? In addition, not a day goes by when my mother doesn’t greet me with a “So how was school today?” as soon as she sees me. I set my backpack down slowly, still watching the two of them. My parents exchange a glance before suddenly turning towards me. “What would you think,” my father starts. “If we said that,” my mother adds. “We were thinking about going to the Philippines!” they both exclaim triumphantly.

Disbelief flashes across my face as I process this. The Philippines? I think to myself. I haven’t been there since I was a small child. I smile excitedly, thinking of finally being able to see the country and its culture for myself, finally going to the setting of all of the stories that my parents and grandparents tell, the fond memories of their childhood and more adventurous days. In addition to being closer to the Filipino culture and my family’s past, going on this journey would undoubtedly allow us to make memories as a family, and even though I cringe a little internally, thinking of the hot summer sun and my Lobo’s stories of mosquitoes massive enough to carry away children which I know are exaggerated, but I still shudder at the thought), as well as being away from home for so long, I am excited to think of the opportunities that might await, and the experiences we might gain from going home. I realize that it is home even if I was not born there.

Going to the Philippines means being closer to the Filipino culture that is in my heritage, not just to say that I am Filipino, but to experience the culture, to be among those who speak the language and know the customs and live the lifestyle. Living here in America, I am undoubtedly lucky. I have opportunities that some may never have. But living in America, especially in an area where we are not involved and immersed in a Filipino community, also means that I can’t help but feel a barrier between my heritage and me. Going to the Philippines may help me to finally connect with my culture, beyond what I feel is only a vague impression of it, and I welcome the chance to learn all that I can.

As with any journey, going to the Philippines with my family would allow us to make new memories and gain new experiences. Regrettably, I do not know the family that lives in the Philippines- they are distant relatives that I never see or communicate with; I hardly ever hear of them. Going to the Philippines would not only allow me finally to get to meet this invisible side of the family, but also to reconnect with the place where my parents were born, where my grandparents, and great-grandparents were born. And, of course, the best part about this trip is that we would go as a family, making new memories together and gaining new experiences together. Some say that home is where your heart is, and I agree. My home is with my family. However, I also believe that we will always find a home where we find our roots, where we find our past.

Of course, there are two sides to every coin. Because going to the Philippines, at least for my family, is a very rare trip, there is no doubt we would be away from home for at least a month. I would be leaving behind friends, and I would have a difficult time doing the things that I planned on doing this summer, such as looking at colleges or training with my school’s cross country team. Any of the discomforts I might experience there, like the blazing sun or the abundance of insects, are excusable, but leaving home for a month? Leaving the comfortable amenities and conveniences of home behind… when was the last time I did that? I felt secure in that at least I would be with family.

Suddenly, I snap back to reality and I realize that my parents are staring at me, smiles frozen on their faces, waiting for a response. “I would love to go,” I assure them with a grin on my face. Rushing on about visiting a practically new place and making new experiences with my family would be absolutely worth leaving familiarity for a while. After all, how often does an opportunity like this come around? As my parents turn towards each other once again, continuing their discussion, this time they are more animated. The childlike anticipation at the thought of returning home never gets old, it seems. And, as I turn away, a song appears in my mind and I hum it to myself, I’m coming home, coming home. Tell the world that I’m coming home. I smile, knowing that I will always be home. Just… home away from home.

The following are the other PIWC Essay Writing Contest Winners…

Second Prize- Kayla Tejero, TiGrade 10- Yorkville High School

Parents: Ryan and Pressian Tejero

Title: The Philippines, A Tropical Paradise

Third Prize- Angela Mihma S. Achanzar, Grade 8- Sauganash Elementary School

Parents: Marlowe and Maria Achanzar

Title: Inside A Filipino’s Pride

Fourth Prize: Seri Cho, Grade 12- Wheeling High School

Parents: Bong and Grace Usman

Title: Exquisite Island of the Philippines

Fifth Prize- Joey Pascarella, Grade 8- Percy Julian Middle School

Parents: Andrew and Maria Pascarella

Title: Back to my Exotic Home

Baby Hazel Maria agley, born March 9, 2017, 7 LBS., 2 oz., 20 in. Parents: Cy & Emily Agley Sisters: Gracie & Emersyn

6-Month old Baby Elijah D. Ambat
Parents: Peter (PJ) and Greys Ambat
Grandparents: Lola Teresa Sarmiento and Lola Carmen Ambat