With her self-written book entitled “Munting Pangarap,” Kia Lucia Mallari, 15 years old from Sto. Domingo, Quezon City, a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya program in Metro Manila, won the 3^rd place in the Book Writing Contest of the CWC.

Awarded during the last day of the Book Writing Workshop at the Ciudad Christhia Resort in Ampid San Mateo, Rizal on October 10-12, 2014, Kia was among the 20 children from the various Non-Government Organizations and agencies who participated in the event. It is Kia’s first time to join a writing competition wherein she just enjoyed the workshop sessions without expecting to receive any place in the winner’s roll.

“Ang pagkapanalo ko pong ito ay magsisilbing inspirasyon sa akin bilang bata dahil isang malaking oportunidad ang naipagkaloob sa akin ng nakasali ako sa aktibidad na ito. Sisikapin kong ipagpatuloy ang pagsulat ng libro at ibahagi ang mga natutunan ko dito sa iba pang batang katulad ko,” Kia said after being awarded as the third place.

Kia’s parents are both parking attendants at Sto. Domingo Church which serves as their main source of income aside from the cash grant they are receiving from the Pantawid Pamilya program.

Aside from Kia, Ericka dela Peña, 11 years old from Las Piñas City, the 2^nd runner-up of the Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children in Metro Manila, also actively participated in the workshop activities.

This book writing workshop was part of the National Children’s Month carrying the theme “Bata Kasali Ka, Ikaw ay Mahalaga,” aiming to awaken/ enhance the book writing talent of children-participants.

DSWD is now implementing the Pantawid Pamilya age expansion wherein from its previously covered 0-14 years old beneficiaries, it now includes 15-18 high school beneficiaries where Kia is a recipient of this expansion.###