Sharing memories: True stories from WWII

The Philippine Veterans Bank and the Philippine Daily Inquirer are pleased to announce the 2008 WWII (World War II) True Stories Contest.

The competition aims to recover stories about the personal experiences of the men and women who served during the Second World War, as well as other individuals who lived through the same conflict, through their own recounting. This contest is intended to show that students have interviewed, researched, read about and understood the subject and formed their own narratives.

The 2008 WWII True Stories Contest offers prizes for the three best original narrative stories about the Second World War as experienced and recalled by WWII veterans and other individuals who were alive during the same war and survived to do the telling.

The first place winner will receive a laptop computer and a printer plus a PVB savings account of P10,000. The second place winner will receive a desktop computer plus a PVB savings account of P7,000. The third place will receive a digital camera plus a PVB savings account of P5,000.

Entries may be submitted to any Philippine Veterans Bank branch nationwide by 4pm of March 16, 2009. Winners will be announced on April 1, and awarded April 9, 2009.

CONTEST MECHANICS click here to download mechanics

1. The contest is open to all Filipino students 13 to 18 years of age attending public or private high schools in the Philippines.

2. To compete, a high school student must:

a. Personally interview a WWII veteran or any person alive during WWII about his/her experiences during the war era (see Interview Guidelines);

b. Write a narrative in English that tells in a maximum of 2,000 words the interviewee’s story, including important details and quotes from the interview (see Manuscript Guidelines).

3. Each narrative entry should be an original, unpublished, logical, cohesive and fluently developed narrative written by one student. A student may only submit one entry.

4. Each manuscript should be typed or computer-printed on plain, white, letter-size paper. Pages must be numbered consecutively and double-spaced with writing on one side and with no more than 12 characters per inch or no less than 10-point type.

5. Each entry should be accompanied by a fully accomplished entry form cut out from the Inquirer’s Learning section (photocopies not acceptable) and glued on a sheet of paper that serves as cover page.

6. Each entry must consist of the following:

a. the narrative manuscript with the fully accomplished entry form,

b. interview tapes,

c. transcription manuscript,

d. signed releases by both interviewee and the student,

e. an endorsement from the student’s History or English teacher, and

f. a certification from the school principal that the entrant is a full-fledged high school student of the school. Only one student can win per school.

g. Each entry may be accompanied by photographs, maps and/or illustrations, but no memorabilia may be taken from the interviewee or his/her family. If there are diaries, journals, letters, etc., this should be indicated in the manuscript and on tape. If the entry wins, PVB will contact the interviewee and look at memorabilia for validation.

h. To ensure impartial judging, there should be no name or other identifying information on any page other than the cover page. All pages of the narrative story must be stapled together in the upper left hand corner with the cover page first.

i. Entries may be submitted to any Philippine Veterans Bank branch nationwide. Clearly mark the envelope “2008 WWII TRUE STORIES CONTEST” and include the following information: student’s name, address and telephone number(s), school’s name, and the PVB branch where it is submitted. A full list of PVB branches nationwide can be seen at www.veteransbank.com.ph.

j. Entries may also be submitted to Philippine Veterans Bank Corporate Communications & Marketing Services Dept., 101 V. A. Rufino corner De la Rosa Sts, Legaspi Village, Makati City.

k. Entries must be received by 4 p.m. of March 16, 2009. Entries received after this date will not be included in the judging. Neither PVB nor PDI may be held accountable for entries send by mail or courier service not received by March 16, 2009.

l. Receipt of entries may be verified at telephone (02) 9021670 to 71 or by email to corpcomm@veteransbank.com.ph.

m. All entries will be verified by the Veterans Federations of the Philippines – Sons & Daughters Association, Inc. (VFP-SDAI) District Offices as to the authenticity of the name and military service or guerilla unit of the subject veteran.

n. The panel of judges, whose decision shall be final, will consist of representatives from PVB, VFP-SDAI, PDI, National Historical Institute and University of the Philippines History Department.

o. Selection of winners will be based on the following criteria: Substance: content, originality, authenticity and compliance with guidelines (60%) and Form: clarity, proper use of language and presentation (40%).

p. The first place winner will receive a laptop computer and a printer plus a PVB savings account of P10,000. The second place winner will receive a desktop computer plus a PVB savings account of P7,000. The third place will receive a digital camera plus a PVB savings account of P5,000. No alternative prizes will be awarded.

q. The endorsing teachers of the winning students will be awarded P5,000 in PVB savings account each.

r. The judges may decide not to award all of the above prizes.

s. Winners will be announced on April 1, 2009 and will be notified by mail, email or telephone. After proper verification of the identities of the winners prizes shall be awarded on April 9, 2009.

t. The winning stories will be published in the Learning section on April 13, 20 and 27, 2009 in commemoration of Bataan Day.

u. Non-cash prizes are non-convertible to cash. 20% tax of prizes over P10,000 will be shouldered by PVB.

v. Non-cash prizes shall be delivered to the winner’s address or School address as specified in the Entry Form.

w. Winners of the PVB Savings account shall open a PVB Savings passbook or ATM Account with the nearest PVB branch.

x. All entries, including the narrative manuscripts, interview tapes, transcriptions, etc. become the property of Philippine Veterans Bank.

y. All employees of Philippine Veterans Bank and Philippine Daily Inquirer, their advertising agencies and their relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity are not allowed to participate in the contest.

z. For more information about the contest, call (02) 9021670 to 71 or email corpcomm@veteransbank.com.ph or log on to www.veteransbank.com.ph.

INTERVIEW GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS

Arrange the interview. Make clear to the interviewee how you got the interviewee’s name (if a stranger to you), explain what the interview is for and establish why the subject's life and experiences are important.

Select a time of day for the interview that is best for the person being interviewed and a quiet place where no background noise can hamper the recording.

Do a pre-interview questionnaire where the subject can indicate basic data, such as name, address, telephone numbers, date of birth, place of birth, parents’ names, marital status, spouse’s name, schools attended, jobs held. If the interviewee is a veteran, include an overview of his/her military service, such as branch and rank, training, when he/she was called to active duty or volunteered for service, area of operation, major campaigns and battles participated in, and post-war service if he/she remained in service. If possible, give the pre-interview questionnaire to your interviewee to be filled out before the day of the interview.

Make a list of open-ended questions that you can use during your interview.

Turn in the completed pre-interview questionnaire and your list of proposed interview questions to your teacher for revisions and/or comments.

Be on time for the interview.

Bring to the interview a reliable tape recorder or video camera (pre-tested before you leave the house and before you start the interview), cassette tapes (more than you think you’ll need), an external microphone if available, extra batteries (especially if the location has not electric power), A/C adapter, an extension cord in case you need to use the A/C current to power your tape recorder.

Conduct the interview by first recording date, time, location and name of interviewee.

Ask open-ended questions about the interviewee’s experiences, especially those that reflect highly on Filipinos and Filipino values. Ask what message or lesson does the interviewee want to impart to the Filipino youth.

Jot down some notes but keep the eye contact. While interviewee is reminiscing, give silent encouragement—nods, smiles, etc. – and short phrases of understanding and pertinent questions.

Do not feel compelled to interrupt silences. Give the interviewee a chance to think through difficult questions or topics. Give the interviewee time to fully answer each question or finish her/his train of thought.

Do not challenge accounts that you think may be inaccurate.

Keep the length of the interview at 90 minutes, or less if the interviewee gets too tired to go on.

Make sure that the interviewee signs a release for the interview.

DO NOT TAKE ANY MEMORABILIA FROM THE INTERVIEWEES. If there are diaries, journals, letters, etc., indicate in your manuscript and on tape. If your entry is chosen, we will contact the interviewee and look at memorabilia for validation.

Process the interview tapes. Whether you are using audio or video tape recording, these rules apply: Make sure tabs of cassettes are punched out to guard against accidental erasure; label the tape as soon as possible, including the names of the interviewee and the interviewer, date and place of the interview, and numbered sequence of tapes. If at all possible, duplicate your tape promptly. The original tape can then be stored, reducing danger of accidental erasure or damage. Transcribe the tape by listening to the tape, and writing down every spoken word and who is speaking, noting any other sounds or long pauses.

Submit the tapes, the transcription and the release form along with your narrative story.

WRITING GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS

Begin with a short introduction detailing the interviewee’s biodata.

Write a simple narration in English that tells the interviewee’s WWII story, including important details and quotes from the transcribed interview.

Do not simply list facts. Do not just submit a timeline. Show that you know and understand your subject.

Keep in mind that you are documenting historical information that has not been written down before. Your task is to preserve a living person’s valuable memories of an important era in history. Be careful to stick to the facts. Do not embellish and do not fabricate, but do not simplify. Remember that it is always possible that the smallest of details in a person's life may shed light on history.

You may set the scene by giving a factually researched backgrounder where this is available.

Research any topics or points that were brought up during the interview for which you need additional background information. Be sure to note your source(s) in your manuscript.

INTERVIEW GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS

Arrange the interview. Make clear how you got the interviewee’s name (if a stranger to you), explain what the interview is for and establish why the subject's life and experiences are important.

Select a time of day for the interview that is best for the person being interviewed and a quiet place where no background noise can hamper the recording.

Do a pre-interview questionnaire where the subject can indicate basic data, such as name, address, telephone numbers, date of birth, place of birth, parents’ names, marital status, spouse’s name, schools attended, jobs held. If the interviewee is a veteran, include an overview of his/her military service, such as branch and rank, training, when he/she was called to active duty or volunteered for service, area of operation, major campaigns and battles participated in, and post-war service if he/she remained in service. If possible, give the pre-interview questionnaire to your interviewee to be filled out before the day of the interview.

Make a list of open-ended questions that you can use during your interview.

Turn in the completed pre-interview questionnaire and your list of proposed interview questions to your teacher for revisions and/or comments.

Be on time for the interview.

Bring to the interview a reliable tape recorder or video camera (pre-tested before you leave the house and before you start the interview), cassette tapes (more than you think you’ll need), an external microphone if available, extra batteries (especially if the location has not electric power), A/C adapter, an extension cord in case you need to use the A/C current to power your tape recorder.

Conduct the interview by first recording date, time, location and name of interviewee.

Ask open-ended questions about the interviewee’s experiences, especially those that reflect highly on Filipinos and Filipino values. Ask what message or lesson does the interviewee want to impart to the Filipino youth.

Jot down some notes but keep the eye contact. While interviewee is reminiscing, give silent encouragement—nods, smiles, etc. – and short phrases of understanding and pertinent questions.

Do not feel compelled to interrupt silences. Give the interviewee a chance to think through difficult questions or topics. Give the interviewee time to fully answer each question or finish her/his train of thought.

Do not challenge accounts that you think may be inaccurate.

Keep the length of the interview at 90 minutes, or less if the interviewee gets too tired to go on.

Make sure that the interviewee signs a release for the interview.

DO NOT TAKE ANY MEMORABILIA FROM THE INTERVIEWEES. If there are diaries, journals, letters, etc., indicate in your manuscript and on tape. If your entry is chosen, we will contact the interviewee and look at memorabilia for validation.

Process the interview tapes. Whether you are using audio or video tape recording, these rules apply: Make sure tabs of cassettes are punched out to guard against accidental erasure; Label the tape ASAP, including the names of the interviewee and the interviewer, date and place of the interview, and numbered sequence of tapes. If at all possible, duplicate your tape promptly. The original tape can then be stored, reducing danger of accidental erasure or damage. Transcribe the tape by listening to the tape, and writing down every spoken word and who is speaking, noting any other sounds or long pauses.

Submit the tapes, the transcription and the release form along with your narrative story.

WRITING GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS

Begin with a short introduction detailing the interviewee’s biodata.

Write a simple narration in English that tells the interviewee’s WWII story, including important details and quotes from the transcribed interview.

Do not simply list facts. Do not just submit a timeline. Show that you know and understand your subject.

Keep in mind that you are documenting historical information that has not been written down before. Your task is to preserve a living person’s valuable memories of an important era in history. Be careful to stick to the facts. Do not embellish and do not fabricate, but do not simplify. Remember that it is always possible that the smallest of details in a person's life may shed light on history.

You may set the scene by giving a factually researched backgrounder where this is available.