SAN FERNANDO CITY, LA UNION – In celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo) in September, 2021, the HIMIG AT WIKA: Agos ng Buhay Translation Contest is one of its major activities. This aims to spread the strong message to protect and care for the rich environment entrusted to us. The song is already heard in Tagalog and given the wealth of language our country has, the song will be heard in 7 major languages in the Philippines namely; Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon/ Ilonggo, Bicolano, Waray, Kapampangan and Pangasinense.  Agos ng Buhay is the theme song of the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB).

Two personnel of the DENR- I Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group (RSCIG), Generoso Garcia and CDO Mariel Aquino together with Bert Rivera of DENR Cagayan Valley were invited as panel of judges in the Ilokano and Pangasinense language translations in the Pre- judging competition via Zoom last September 17 and 22, 2021 which was hosted by  Ma. Katrina Apaya and Apol Laroco of the DENR- BMB.  The Tagalong version of the Agos ng Buhay song were translated into Ilokano and Pangasinense lyrics and sung by contestants accompanied by a recorded melody of the song. There are seventeen (17) entries from Northern Luzon - thirteen (13) entries in the Ilokano translation while four (4) entries in the Pangasinense translation. Criteria for judging include, Clarity- 10%, Creativity- 15%, Singability- 25% and Accuracy of Translation- 50%. The sole winner per language will receive Php 15,000 and two (2) consolation prizes per language entries will receive Php 5,000 each. The Agos ng Buhay Translation Contest is open to Filipinos residing in the Philippines who are 18 years old and above while DENR employees and their immediate family members are not qualified to join.

All entries in the said environmental and language translation competition ended last September 15, 2021 while winners have been announced by the DENR - BMB after the result of the judging last September 30, 2021. The top seven (7) winners of the Himig at Wika: Agos ng Buhay Translation Contest are as follows: 1. Clarisse Borral- Bicol Translation 2.Ma. Ann Vallecer- Cebuano Translation 3. Lucy Lunjas – Hiligaynon/ Ilonngo Translation 4. Felix Seriales, Jr. – Ilocano Translation 5. Katy Chene Napao – Kapampangan Translation 6. Funny Joy Lamsen – Pangasinense Translation and 7. Richard Moscare – Waray Translation.  Consolation prizes were also awarded to the following: 1. Bicol Translation- Charmaine Joy Cajurao and Kobe Dionela 2. Cebuano Translation – Psalm David Abella and Francisco Deloso 3. Hiligaynon/ Ilonggo Translation – Cynde Esparagoza and Miriam Burrato 4. Ilocano Translation- Jubilee Biscarra and Victoria Agoo 5. Pangasinan Translation – Lanelina Tamayo and AlmaNepascua and 6. Waray Translation – Arlando Villanueva and Jonas Llevado. (GCG- RSCIG)