CANVAS (The Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development) has commissioned another local Filipino artist for the 30th Romeo Forbes Children’s Story Writing Competition. All writers must create a story based on the art piece by Mark Jeffrey Santos. The winning story will then be brought to life by Santos in a series of at least 20 new artworks. The artwork will be displayed in a major solo exhibition and used as illustrations for the ultimate unique collaboration: a full-color children’s book.

CANVAS Rules and Conditions

1. CANVAS’ Romeo Forbes Children’s Story Writing Competition is open to all Filipinos anywhere on the planet.

2. Entries must not have been previously published, and all entrants warrant the originality of their submitted entries.

3. Writers may submit only one entry, in English or Filipino, which shall be of eight hundred fifty (850) words or less. This word limit is a strict and absolute word limit. Even just one word above the limit will be enough to disqualify an entry.

4. There is no particular theme, other than the use of this edition’s contest piece, a new untitled acrylic on canvas artwork by Mark Jeffrey Santos (shown below) as the inspiration or basis for the entry.

CANVAS Romeo Forbes Children's Story Writing Competition

CRITERIA

5. JUDGING. A CANVAS review panel will read and award points for all stories received based on the following criteria:

Originality and Storyline (40%)

  • Is there an exciting introduction or hook?
  • Is there an engaging conflict that needs to be resolved?
  • Does the story leave the reader satisfied?

Imagery (40%)

  • Are the characters interesting?
  • Does the story lend itself well to being illustrated and turned into a picture book?

Quality of Writing (20%)

  • Is the organization of the story clear and logical?
  • Does the dialogue (if there is any) sound realistic and interesting? Does it help to move the plot forward?
  • Is the writing smooth and fluid?

CANVAS will then send the two to five stories that receive the highest scores to the Artist, who will select the winning story that will be brought to life.

SUBMISSION

6. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING STORIES. Kindly follow these instructions carefully when submitting your entry:

  • Submit your entry as a Microsoft Word attachment to storycontest@canvas.ph with the subject heading: ROMEO FORBES CHILDREN’S STORY WRITING COMPETITION – Mark Jeffrey Santos.
  • Please use the title of your story (or the first five words of your title) as the file name of your entry. Your attached entry must contain only the title and full text of your story. DO NOT include your name, contact number, address, or any other information, and do not attach any pictures or other identifying information.
  • Put your name, mailing and email address, and telephone/cellphone number in the body of your email when you submit your entry.

7. The deadline for submission of entries is 5:00 p.m. (Manila time), Friday, February 19, 2021. CANVAS acknowledges each and every entry that we receive. If you submitted a story and do not receive an acknowledgement from us within 24 hours, please assume that your story was not received and kindly resend it to us.

Nevertheless, entries received after the deadline, even if sent earlier, may no longer be considered for the Competition.

CANVAS shall not be responsible for entries which are not received, or which are received after the deadline, due to technical failure or for any reason whatsoever.

CASH PRIZE

8. There shall be only one winner, who shall receive a cash prize of PhP 45,000.00 (less applicable withholding tax) for his/her entry. The winner shall be responsible for all applicable taxes. The winning writer shall also be entitled to five (5) free copies upon publication of the book.

9. The winner shall retain his/her full intellectual property rights over his/her story. However, by entering this contest, the winner agrees to grant and assign to CANVAS a concurrent, royalty-free and non-exclusive right to exercise the same copyright and all other intellectual property rights granted to the author (and his/her assignee), with respect to the winning story.

Kindly note that it is the intention of CANVAS to enable free and full access to, and sharing of the winning story to the general public, including making the same freely downloadable on the Internet, as well as publishing copies of books based on the winning story for free distribution to children in public schools and disadvantaged communities throughout the Philippines.

The prize money that will be awarded shall constitute full payment of such concurrent, royalty-free and non exclusive grant of intellectual property and publication rights to the winning story.

The winner shall not be entitled to any other royalties or fees from earnings, if any, that may result from future publication, licensing, creation of derivatives, and other transactions based on the same.

10. CANVAS shall not retain any other rights to entries that are not selected as the winner, except where separate agreements are reached with the concerned writers.

11. CANVAS shall exercise full and exclusive editorial and artistic control over the publication of the winning entry and resulting book. While it is the full intention of CANVAS to publish the winning entry as a full-color children’s book, CANVAS reserves the right not to publish the same for any reason whatsoever.

CANVAS ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS

12. The winner of the CANVAS competition will be announced sometime in April 2021, if not earlier. The winner will also be notified via email/text on the same announcement date.

13. The decision of CANVAS in selecting the finalist, and the Artist in selecting the winner shall be final, and no correspondence or inquiries into the same — including requests for comments/feedback on received entries — shall be entertained.

14. Employees of CANVAS, and members of their immediate family, as well as the Artist’s immediate family, are disqualified from participating in the competition.

About the Contributing Writer:
Marlo Rene is a Grade 9 student from Quezon City. Gamer. Food nerd. Internet geek. Passionate thinker. Wannabe pop cultureaholic. Falls down a lot. General travel aficionado. Writer.