ZAGREB — Christian George F. Acevedo of Roxas City; Kin F. Sabala of Sapian, Capiz; and Rene Boy E. Abiva of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija were declared winners of the 2024 Peter’s Prize for Adapted Story by an online jury of nine.
Acevedo won first prize for “Lin-ay: The First Babaylan”, a story written in English that creatively reimagines the journey of a binukot/kept maiden to become a babaylan/healer when the Spanish conquistadores brought new diseases to the islands.
In a related development, Acevedo’s story has been accepted for publication as an illustrated book to be launched in Roxas City next month.
Sabala’s second prize winner, the quirky “Ang Agi sa Septic Tank”, which was written in modern Hiligaynon, gives nods to Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” where the protagonist turns into an ‘existentialist’ rat instead of cockroach.
Penned in Filipino like the Bible’s Book of Revelation, the apocalyptic third prize winner “Babala Bago ang Opensiba sa Khan Yunis” by Abiva is a masterful play of Filipino language and gravita.
A total of 49 entries—47 from all over the country and two from Australia, were received this year for the new category of Adapted Story. Of these, 16 were longlisted, and six were shortlisted that were eventually evaluated by a panel of nine jurors, all of whom come from the growing roster of Peter’s Prize medalists.
The jury was composed of: Kristoffer George Brasileño, John Michael Catigan, Michael dela Peña, Adonis Gonzales, Chona Villaluna Gosiaoco, Jonell Gregorio, Ferlie Joy Lanaria, Richard Olano, and Serafin Plotria, Jr.
The Peter Solis Nery Foundation, sponsor of the Peter’s Prize, celebrates the contest’s wins in three languages—English, Hiligaynon and Filipino; and in the new format of story adaptation under 3,000 words.
Earlier in July, a Special Peter’s Prize for Excellence in Cultural Dissemination was awarded to Dr. Christine Godinez Ortega of Iligan City, Lanao del Norte for her pioneering and sustained work in organizing Mindanaoan literary, creative and cultural groups.
Both Ortega and Acevedo will receive the coveted Peter’s Prize medallion, in addition to cash awards and certificates.
The Foundation underscores the triumph of all three Philippine island groups in this year’s Peter’s Prize through the honors represented by Abiva of Luzon, Acevedo and Sabala of Visayas, and Ortega of Mindanao.
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(Peter Solis Nery is a multi-awarded Filipino poet, fictionist, filmmaker and playwright who divides his time living in the Philippines and traveling around the world. He is a Palanca Awards Hall of Famer, and the first Filipino author invited to the Sharjah International Book Fair in the United Arab Emirates.)
