12 February 2014- Six students from the Philippines garnered awards at the recently concluded 2013 Peace and Cooperation School Award competition, with the theme “Art as a universal language- Creativity for Peace,” in Mexico.

Students and teachers from different countries sent almost 7,000 art works as entries to the competition’s various artistic categories.

The Peace and Cooperation School Award is an international school competition organized annually by the Spanish Foundation for Peace and Cooperation, a Madrid-based non-governmental organization that works to promote a movement of non-violence and creativity and to build a world of solidarity.  It was founded in 1982 by Sr. Joaquin Astuña, a Spanish barrister, educator, publicist, polyglot and social activist who has worked in various capacities with many United Nations (UN) bodies. 

The Philippine Embassy in Mexico received the awards on behalf of the six students from the Philippines during the awarding ceremony attended by First Secretary and Consul Angelo Amonoy and Cultural Officer Amelyn E.- Julio-Obong at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 07.

The following are the winners from the Philippines:

            Erl John B. Castaños                                              - First Prize (co-winner)

            Bataan National High School                                 Drawing with written message

            Balanga, Bataan

           
            Dabereth A. Baller                                                   - First Prize (co-winner)

            Southville International School                                Fine arts

            Las Piñas City

           
            Trisha T. Agustin                                                      - Certificate of Recognition

            Quirino Elementary School                                      Free drawing

            Aurora Province

            Annie Rose Batayola                                              - First Prize (co-winner)

            Iloilo National High School for the Arts                  Free Art         

            Iloilo City

            Jun So Hyun                                                            -  First Prize (co-winner)

            Southville International School                                Free Art

            Las Piñas City

            Elord V. Durana                                                       -  Certificate of Recognition

            Aurora National High School                                   Free Art

            Baler, Aurora

According to Mr. Astuña, there will be a symbolic ceremony to be held on February 28 in Manila under the auspices of the Philippine Department of Education for the Filipino students whose submitted art works merited awards at the competition.  He also announced that this year’s edition of the Peace and Cooperation School Awards will focus on children and the family, and will be organized by the Foundation with the close cooperation of Algeria as the main country collaborator. END