COTABATO CITY -- A 13-year-old Maguindanaon pupil made waves before the United Nations World Food Programme (UN-WFP).
Christian James Pragados dela Peña, a student of a public school in Buldon, Maguindanao, has been named as one of the winners in the international WFP Children's Design Competition for 2017 organized by the UN-WFP.
In his winning piece, dela Peña painted his vision of a world that saves food for the next generation, including him, besting 20 other finalists selected from a short list of 22 paintings by school children from across the globe.
On Tuesday, dela Peña, was presented a prize of US$350, of which US$150 for himself and US$200 for his school, Dinganen Central Elementary School in Buldon, Maguindanao to promote painting and art work as noble profession.
In a statement, the UN-WFP said all participating students were attending schools that have been involved in WFP’s worldwide school meal program, designed to both fortify the health of school children as well as keep them in the classroom even during difficult times.
Under the program, pupils receive meals or snacks in school and take-home rations.
Across the globe to date, WFP provides food to more than 16 million children in school meal program in 60 countries.
Education plays a significant role in breaking the cycle of hunger, and WFP strives to reach the poorest and most vulnerable children, it said in a statement.
Themed “Zero Hunger: The future begins with food,” the competition involved both an art piece and explanatory note.
In between drawings at home, dela Peña, played basketball and dreamed of becoming a successful painter someday.
Mats Persson, WFP country director ad interim for the Philippines, said the art work will help UN-WFP see the future of children and what they hope for.
“The illustrations made by the school children help us see the hopes, visions, and potentials they have, reminding us the importance of investing in their future,” Persson said.
Lawyer Laisa Alamia, executive secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm), was elated a Maguindanaon made it to the UN painting search.
“Thanks to WFP for helping nurture the potentials of our children to pursue their hopes and dreams for a better future,” she said in a statement.
“Congratulations to our children artists! Continue to dream big and excel in your chosen field. The entire Bangsamoro is proud of you,” Alamia added.
In the competition, five drawings from the Philippines were submitted to the competition judges at WFP Headquarters in Rome, Italy. Of the 20 winners, 3 artworks from the Philippines made it to semi-finals.
“All of us at WFP congratulate the young artists for creating such unique and inspiring works. They made us all proud,” Persson said.
April Carlen Ardoña of WFP-Philippines said the artwork of Dela Peña will be displayed in the WFP headquarters.
The same art will be featured in wall calendars and greeting cards for global distribution to continue raising awareness of the WFP’s works. (PNA)
