A fresh graduate of Silliman University won the Samsung Engineering Prize at the 10th Eco-generation Environmental Essay Competition last July 6.
Val Amiel Vestil, 21, bested over 300 entries from 55 countries with his essay, A Sense of Disconnect in an Interconnected Era.
In his essay, Vestil reiterated the need for a re-connection with nature by rediscovering its value. He cited the many issues threatening the Philippines’ eco-system, and offered digital solutions for them as well.
“If we can increase the conversation of the value of nature on social media, we could easily start reconnecting people to nature,” he said in his essay proposing for creative content and action strategies.
Taking the top UN Environmental Prizes were Yujin Son from the US, and Renova Uwingabire from Rwanda. Vestil and the two winners won certificates of achievement, and Samsung Galaxy Tabs.
Also awarded were three Eco-generation runners-up and 20 honorable mentions. Among them was Jofer Asilum, the only Filipino awarded besides Vestil.
Asked what prompted him to join the competition, Vestil said: “Ever since I enrolled in my Environmental Journalism class at Silliman Masscom, I’ve been impassioned to write more and more about the environment. There is some disconnect in newspapers on the coverage of environmental news, and that EJ class really shed light on how to be the solution to that problem.”
The international essay competition was hosted by Tunza Eco-Generation, an environmental networking platform launched by Samsung Engineering in partnership with the UN Environment Program (UNEP).
Vestil graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Mass Communication from Silliman University.
