I went to Davao City for the second time this year. This time, it was to attend the Storybook Recognition Rites and Reading Exhibit of the Department of Education’s Gawad Teodora Alonso 2023 (5th National Competition on Storybook Writing). Three of my entries placed in the Top 5 of the three sub-categories of Category 4.

By some twist of fate, I already knew I was not going to win the top prize in any of these. Still, I went happy and proud of my accomplishments. I was the class valedictorian back in elementary. But as I grew older, I became less competitive. I lost my drive and I lost my dreams. I was the shrimp that just went with the flow.

When I became a finalist in last year’s edition of the competition for “Si Kesa sa Ilog ng mga Kamatis,” I felt undeserving. It was, to be honest, a case of imposter syndrome. I secretly felt I reached the final five because only five of us joined. I was more ashamed of myself. Everything was just beginner’s luck.

So when I received the invitation to attend the final rites, I cried. I was filled with some sort of gratefulness. I was no longer a beginner. And when I learned all of my stories were in the finals, I felt… peace. Perhaps, I’m not an imposter. Maybe, I… can.

Here are my stories for this edition of the competition:

Unica Yna

Honorable Mention for Category 4 (Grade 4)

Secretly set in Buenavista, Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro where I spent my adolescence, I got to be with my grandparents, Lolo Jose and Lola Dalen, again in this story. Through the story of Yna, I hope to tell the well-meaning people who give unsolicited and sometimes harmful advice about having more children than a couple can handle that, no, being an only child will not necessarily make our daughter spoiled and sad.

One Day, Isang Araw

Honorable Mention for Category 4 (Grade 5)

I recycled this story from last year’s competition. I submitted this for Category 4 (Grade 6) under a different title, but it unfortunately was not chosen. This time, I turned it into an ambitious Choose Your Own Adventure-type short story about a student whose choices decide whether their school gets saved from a so-called Zombayani Apocalypse. To be honest, I don’t know what the moral lesson of this story is. Actually, I didn’t intend for this one to make it to the finals because I had other plans for it. But of course I’m glad it placed.

La Torta De Mama

Honorable Mention for Category 4 (Grade 6)

Last but not the least is La Torta De Mama, a story about an adolescent girl who has to deal with many changes in her household. It is set in the City of Naga, Cebu (although unnamed), and pays homage to my Bandola aunties who love to bake. I also remember my grandmother, Mommylo, who used to painstakingly make us puto and sikwate when we were young. La Torta De Mama is a play on the official name of the delicacy in the neighboring town of Argao (La Torta De Argao).

I’m happy… but also sad.

This win, for me, was bittersweet. Of course, I am happy that I am once again part of the final five. But it makes me sad that not everyone is happy. I honestly feel like I disappointed our superintendent because I did not get the top prize. In fact, he did not greet me. And worse, he said we (our division) are not competitive.

I can’t believe anyone would say that about this competition. Although I pretend it doesn’t bother me, I still get hurt whenever I remember that. My fellow runners-up in other Division Offices have been posting their tarpaulins and their recognition ceremonies in their respective institutions and LGUs. But me? Aside from the congratulatory comments on my supervisor’s post, I received nothing. Not that I’m asking for recognition… but I didn’t even get a “good job.” It feels like this competition is not even a thing for them.

I’m not at all bitter that I did not win. I have met some of my fellow finalists and they are incredible and dedicated in their craft. But it is disheartening. Our Division was named thrice in the announcement of winners… but those that were mentioned just once were much, much happier.