MERITAGE PRESS HOLIDAY POETRY CONTEST WINNER: MICHELLE A. PENALOZA

Meritage Press is delighted to announce the winner of the 2009 Meritage Press Holiday Poetry Contest for Filipino Poets, judged this year by Aileen Ibardaloza.

“Butiki” by Michelle A. Penaloza

"Butiki" may be viewed at http://meritagepress.com/babaylan/?p=25

ABOUT THE WINNING POET: Michelle Peñaloza graduated from Vanderbilt University and is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Oregon. She is a carnivore and a sometimes omnivore. Her work has been published in Kartika Review.

Meritage Press congratulates Michelle, while thanking all of the poets who sent in entries. This year's contest was among the toughest to judge in the history of this contest, with many submitted poems deserving of praise. It is wonderful to see so many wonderful Filipino poets at work.

All Best,

Eileen Tabios
Publisher, Meritage Press

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FIRST PLACE WINNERS of the MERITAGE PRESS HOLIDAY POETRY CONTESTS:

2009: Michelle A. Penaloza (Judge: Aileen Ibardaloza)
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)