The search is on for the Pinoy Literary Idol!

MyRizal , a movement composed of Rizal’s family, friends and nationalists, is inviting everyone to “celebrate the Jose Rizal in each of us!”

MyRizal , in partnership with the Department of Education, launched this year PreMYo Rizal ,

the nationwide essay writing contest for Grades 5 and 6 and Third and Fourth Year High School. The Grade School contest was in Filipino, and the High School contest in English. Entries were received from as far north as Ilocos Norte and as far south as Lanao del Sur. Organizers and judges were moved to receive entries from conflict-ridden Autonomous Region of Moslem Mindanao.

PreMYo Rizal ‘s objective is to reach out to the Filipino youth and challenge them to learn more about Rizal, articulate what he stood for, and think of ways they can emulate his idealism in their own lives. At the same time, by giving value to essay writing, MyRizal and the DepEd hope to elevate critical thinking and literary writing to a higher standard, and to hold up our young writers as role models worthy of acclaim and public admiration!

Please read the 8 essays in this section and vote in BOTH categories, Grade School (Filipino) and High School (English). The Grade School winner via text voting will be awarded the special prize “Tinig ng Bayan” and the High School text voting winner “People’s Choice.”

The themes are:

* Grade School (Filipino): Liham Kay Rizal. Answer the question: “Kung nabubuhay ngayon si Rizal, ano ang nais mong sabihin o itanong sa kanya?”

* High School (English): pick a character from Noli or Fili , describe what the character stands for, and explain how you will be like or unlike that character.

To vote, text:

* MYRIZALGS <letter of choice> or RIZALGS <letter of choice> for “Tinig ng Bayan” winner; and
* MYRIZALHS <letter of choice> or RIZALHS <letter of choice> for “People’s Choice” winner.

Examples: MYRIZALGS A
MYRIZALHS H

Choices/Candidates (only 1 vote per category will be allowed from the same phone number):

* Filipino (Grade School): A, B, C, D
* English (High School): E, F, G, H

Globe subscribers: text to 2910; Smart and Sun subscribers: text to 5656

Voting starts Nov.  26, 2011 up to Dec.  3, 2011. Winners will be announced at the PreMYo Rizal Awarding Ceremony on Dec.  5.

The eight finalist essays are also posted on www. myrizal 150.com
For Globe subscribers, visit http://m.allhits.ph/ myrizal 150 right on your mobile phone to read the essays. FREE browsing for Globe.

Sponsors of PreMYo Rizal are Philippine Daily Inquirer, inquirer.net, SM Cinemas, SM Malls, ABS CBN, Knowledge Channel, Yuchengco Museum, Globe Telecoms, Inc., Oks Pinoy, EGG, BBDO Guerrero, National Bookstore, and Suarez and Sons.