The top three winners of the Departmet of Health’s “Pintayo for a Bisyo-Free Pilipinas”, a mural painting contest activity held at the Municipality of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur in celebration of the “No Smoking Month 2023”. First prize winner Eduardo Pera of Barangay Pula, second prize winner Ayen Ruiz of Barangay Rizal and third prize winner Christian Paul George Dela Cruz of Barangay Lantag.
The Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region launched its final activity in celebration of ‘No Smoking Month’ known as the “Pintayo for a Bisyo-Free Pilipinas”, a mural painting contest activity with the theme: “Huwag Hayaang Matalo Ng Bisyo, Sinisira Ng Sigarilyo, Alak At Droga Ang Magandang Kinabukasan Mo,” held at the Municipality of Tagudin, to promote awareness on the harmful effects of smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse and the importance of a healthy community.
A total of seven contestants were selected from among the 43 barangays who submitted their entries for the contest.
The top ten entries were painted in public places in the community frequented by minors such as schools, playgrounds, and marketplaces.
“Artwork helps express a community’s values and creates a higher sense of awareness not only for community members but also for visitors. Art represents life in various ways at nakakapagpaganda ng ambiance sa isang lugar,” Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated during the awarding ceremony held at Tinubong-Kankanen Hall, in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur on June 30, 2023.
“Murals can also generate a sense of camaraderie among the community at napapaganda rin nito and mga buildings, at ang importante, it can raise awareness about social issues sa mga makakakita nito gaya ng pagbabawal sa paninigarilyo and it can inspire creativity. It makes communities more vibrant, engaging, and meaningful places for people to live in,” she emphasized.
The first prize winner goes to Eduardo Pera of Barangay Pula with ₱10,000 cash , second prize to Ayen Ruiz of Saint Augustin School/Barangay Rizal with ₱7,000 cash and the third prize was awarded to Christian Paul George Dela Cruz of Barangay Lantag with ₱5,000.
A Social Media Award with cash prize of ₱2,000 was given to Mark Jayson Manzano of Tagudin National High School/Barangay Tampugo for garnering the highest number of likes, shares, and comments after posting the murals on Facebook.
Consolation prizes of ₱2,000 each were also given to Carlo J. Banachea of Pudoc East, Mark Jayson Manzano of TNHS/Tampugo, Allien John Laza of Tampugo Elementary School/Borono and Hannah Sofia Villanueva of Rizal.
Regional Health Promotion Unit Head Cheryl D. Buhong, said the event is still part of the activities in the DOH Health Promotion Playbook – Priority Area 4 which advocates for the prevention of substance use and abuse.
“We have given the participants ten days to complete their artworks, which is 8 feet in height and 12 feet long. We also encouraged participants to post and share their artworks as many times as they can para makita ng ibang social media users for them to be able to post it also on their social media pages, because meaningful activities such as this must be shared in order for our goal of raising awareness in substance use and abuse can be achieved,” Buhong said.
The “Pintayo for a Bisyo-Free Pilipinas”, was held with the coordination and support of the local government of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur.
Winner of the Social Media Award given to Mark Jayson Manzano of Tagudin National High School/Barangay Tampugo for garnering the highest number of likes, shares, and comments after posting his mural on Facebook.
