Meritage Press is delighted to announce the results of the 2008 Meritage Press Holiday Poetry Contest, judged by Bino A. Realuyo. Only one poem was chosen this year:

First Place: “Letras Y Figuras” by Rodrigo V. Dela Peña Jr.

The winning poem itself may be seen at http://meritagepress.blogspot.com/2009/01/2008-winner-of-meritage-press-annual.html (in order for the poem’s correct format to be presented).

ABOUT THE WINNING POET: Rodrigo V. Dela Peña Jr. has been a fellow for poetry in various writers’ workshops in the Philippines. His poems and stories have been published in the Quarterly Literary Review Singapore, Mud Luscious, Sunday Inquirer Magazine, Philippines Free Press, and other journals and anthologies. He is currently working as a freelance writer and publicist.

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ALL FIRST PLACE WINNERS of the MERITAGE PRESS HOLIDAY POETRY CONTEST:

2008: Rodrigo V. Dela Pena Jr. (Judge: Bino A. Realuyo)
2007: Naya S. Valdellon & Marcel L. MiIliam (Judge: Eric Gamalinda)
2006: Joel M. Toledo (Judge: Michelle Bautista)
2005: Arkaye Velasquez Kierulf (Judge: Jean Vengua)
2004: Joel H. Vega (Judge: Sarah Gambito)
2003: Luisa A. Igloria (Judge: Patrick Rosal)
2002: Naya S. Valdellon & Michella Rivera-Gravage (Judge: Oliver de la Paz)
2001: Carlomar Arcangel Daoana (Judge: Nick Carbo)