Three sets of poems written in the local Bicol-Catandunganon dialect stood out from the 31 entries submitted for the inaugural awarding last week of Premio Etasor honoring Tribune’s “Burabod” writer Efren T. Sorra.
During the May 16, 2024 event held at the Catanduanes State University Accreditation Room, Napoleon Arcilla III received the grand prize for his “Oda Sa Burabod,” “Romana,” and “Para Sa Pangyareng Nadiskubre Ang Kalabira Ning Sarong Gurang Na Parasila Sa Bato, Catanduanes.”
Mark Kevin delos Santoa took second place for “Igwang Sarong Salamankero,” “Hinog Na Ang Islang Maogma,” and “Ang Parabulong Ning San Miguel” while Darwin Bongon won third place for “Sibidsibid,” “Lupnis,” and “Suko?.”
Earning honorable mention from the Board of Judges were the entries submitted by Jinckymay Fernandez, Edison Subion, John Mark Israel, and Philip Henry Morales.
The Board of Judges was composed of Dr. Adem Nalu Rubio, Gerry Rubio and Dr. Allan Popa.
It was Dr. Popa, publisher of Aklat-Ulagad who initiated Premio Etasor along with Dr. Jovert Balunsay, who heads the CatSU Sentro ng Wikang Filipino, with the support of Sorra family and the CatSU management.
In his message, Pres. Patrick Alain Azanza said the competition is an expression of love for Bicol-Catandungan and honors Etasor who played a large part in the university with respect to local culture and tradition.
Aside from wishing that a complete compilation of the Tribune writer’s works could be done, he expressed hope that someday, a national literary contest will see merit in works in the local dialect.
On behalf of the Sorra family, the writer’s 2nd daughter, Nennen, thanked everyone for the support that his father received during his lifetime and even until now.
“We are overwhelmed. I did not realize at the time that his poems published in the weekly issue of the Tribune created such an impact among readers,” she said of the weekly feature that began in 2006.