According to an inspirational author Shannon L. Alder, life always begins with one step outside of your comfort zone.

This is quite apt in the case of eleven-year old Guzel Pembe B. Malia, this year’s winner in the 2019 World Food Day Regional On-the-Spot Poster Making Contest conducted by the  Department of Agrriculture(DA) – Caraga in coordination with the Department of Education(DepEd) – Caraga and the Food and Agriculture Organization.

The sixth grader from the Surigao City Pilot School bested 10 other contestants from various Schools Divisions of the region.

Maliao said that although as early as kindergarten days she was already interested in drawing, she refrained from joining competitions because she was so shy. Fortunately, her mother continued to encourage her to leave her comfort zone and to pursue her interests.

On her fifth grade, Maliao was finally persuaded to be more active in school activities and started joining contests.

Her recent win in the Regional Poster Making Contest is now added to the awards she has started reaping. I am really thankful to God for giving me the talent and for blessing my hands during the contest day,” Maliao said.

The Poster Making Contest was conducted on September 26, 2019 in Butuan City. The activity is part of the World Food Day Celebration.

World Food Day is celebrated all over the world every 16 th of October to promote awareness and gather support for eradicating the global problem on hunger and malnutrition.

DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo in his message said that a survey showed that nowadays, majority of the youth are no longer interested in agriculture

and that hopefully some of the contestants will one day pursue a career related to agriculture. “May you draw inspiration from your posters and be inclined towards agriculture and help contribute to the development of this sector,” he said.

As the winner in the Regional level, Maliao will represent Caraga in the National level of the contest. She received a cash prize of P3,000, a medal, and a certificate. Second place winner Merreny More of the Antonio C. Dagani Central Elementary School in Cabadbaran City received P2,000 cash prize, a medal and certificate while third place winner Kyle Wije C. Calo of Agusan del Sur Pilot Laboratory School in Bayugan City received a cash prize of P1,500 plus a medal and a certificate. (vpsanchez)