A STUDENT from Bulacan bagged the top prize in the 51st Universal Postal Union International Letter Writing Competition for Young People, the Philippine Postal Corporation said on Friday.

Loraine Evangelista from the San Ildefonso National High School won P25,000. She also earned a trip to the UPU headquarters in Berne, Switzerland.

Lucia Camila Perez Sta. Ana of Paref-Woodrose School Inc. in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City placed second while Sofia Luxel Alburo of General Santos City National High School came in third.

They will receive P15,000 and P10,000, respectively.

The three will also get medals, plaques and albums of Philippine stamps during the awarding ceremony on October 9, coinciding with the celebration of World Post Day.

Organized by PHLPost, the annual contest is for students aged 9 to 15.

The contest aims to promote better understanding worldwide through the post office. It also seeks to make young people aware of the important role of postal services and develop their skills in composition and their ability to express their thoughts clearly.

This year’s theme was  “Write a letter to an influential person about why and how to take action on climate change.”

The judges were National Press Club of the Philippines president Lydia Bueno; Genaro Gojo Cruz, Literature professor of De La Salle University; Joreen Rocamora, Ph.D., director of the Office of Public Affairs of the University of Santo Tomas; and Romeo Parayno, Special Events Unit head of the Department of Education.