PhilPost launches letter-writing contest

TO revive the vanishing tradition of letter-writing, the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost), through the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), has launched the 53rd International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People.

With the theme «Write a letter to future generations about the world you hope they inherit,» the contest is designed to develop young people's skills in composition and the ability to express their thoughts clearly.

It is also aimed at fostering the enjoyment of letter-writing and helping strengthen the bonds of international friendship which is one of the basic missions of the UPU, a specialized agency of the United Nations of which the Philippine postal service has been a member for 150 years.

The contest period is from March 20 to April 5, 2024. The winner will be determined not later than April 12.

PHLPost said all entries must be recent, unpublished and original letters. Entries to the competition must be written in English and should be handwritten, adhering strictly to the theme.

Submissions should not exceed 800 words and must contain the basic elements of a letter — heading, salutation, body of the letter, complimentary close and signature.

The contest committee has the right to test the winning participant on the originality of the entry.

PHLPost reminded the participants to indicate on a separate sheet of paper the following information: number of words of the letter composition, participant's complete name and home address, gender of the participant, age, and date of birth, colored digital photo of the participant in jpeg format, name and address of the school, including year or grade level of participant, and contact number of the school and the participant.

Entries should be placed in a brown envelope and submitted strictly via PHLPost Domestic Express Mail Service (DEMS) and addressed to UPU 53rd International Letter Writing Competition for Young People (2024), Office of the Postmaster General, Philippine Postal Corporation, CMEC Post Office, Domestic Road, Barangay 193, Pasay City 1301, Metro Manila.

Entries sent via private couriers will be automatically disqualified.

Participants must register