In celebration of the National Literature Month in April, the Valenzuela City Cultural Affairs and Tourism Development Office and Museo Valenzuela Foundation have opened the 2^nd Monsignor Arenas Memorial Literary Contest.

The contest is named after the Monsignor Mario DJ Arenas, one of the founders of the Museo Valenzuela and an influential personality in Valenzuela City. He was the parish priest and rector of the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos City when he died in April 2013.

Below are the contest mechanics:

1. The contest is open to all youth living in Valenzuela City not over 24 years old.

2. The deadline of submission of entries is on March 31, 5 pm, at the Museo Valenzuela, Marulas, Valenzuela City.

3. The contest this year is accepting short stories about life during the Pacific War or the Japanese invasion of the Philippines (1941-1945). Entrants are encouraged to do interviews with war veterans or the elderly who survived the war and remember stories that happened during the period.

4. Entries must be computerized on legal-size bond paper and must come in a long brown envelope along with the following documents:

• proof of residence in Valenzuela (i.e. copy of school ID, barangay clearance, etc.)
• proof of age
• short author’s bionote with contact numbers
• proof that the entry is an original work by the author

5. Winners will receive the following prizes:

• First prize: Php5,000
• Second prize: Php3,000
• Third prize: Php2,000

6. The awarding of prizes will be held on April 15 at the Museo Valenzuela.

7. For more details, you may contact Ms. Thess at telephone number 291.0672

8. Those interested to join the contest may also attend a talk on writing short stories at the Museo Valenzuela, date to be announced.