“There are two major types of contenders joining a writing contest: those who expect and those who don’t… But what should both realize after the contest?” (My response to ColdExpress’s “ Meet the Natives”)
ATSPAR III preludes ALTPA in a regional level. The latter is in Luzonwide level and is being held in February of the subsequent year, few months after its regional counterpart during November. For the benefit of those who live outside this archipelago, these two are writing contests held annually for campus journalists. The words “tertiary schools press conference” can be extracted from these acronyms, which technically means they’re intended only for college students. Meanwhile, ATSPAR III has celebrated its tenth anniversary this November.
THAT NOVEMBER 2008 DAY I’ll never forget. The azure November sky was crystal clear, the atmosphere was unruffled, and the temperature was tepidly blended. Although being consternated about the results and feeling nauseous, I was still certain that I will hear my name and see myself once again, going in front of the faceless crowd of campus journalists, receiving my opulent medal of either bronze or silver, and being applauded by all and sundry. Afterward, I thought I’ll be seeing my banner flogging in front of our university’s main building. And so I expected that from Edwin de Leon too. These were then my expectations…
