By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

A senior chemical engineering student of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has won in this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Photo Competition on Sustainable Energy. 

April Jieren R. Muska of the MMSU College of Engineering (COE) landed first place and bagged the People’s Choice Award in the photo story competition. 

She is among the top three winners in the contest who were awarded by the ASEAN Foundation in its Facebook post last November 6. She will receive $850 worth of camera and equipment. 

Muska’s entry in the contest is titled “Amihan’s Haven,” a set of photos which showcases the famous windmills and solar energy farms in the towns of Burgos, Bangui, and Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte which contribute to the development of communities. 

Before this, the finalists participated in a virtual photo storytelling workshop in preparation for their photo story projects. Their outputs were evaluated by the ASEAN Foundation’s Technical Evaluation Committee. 

A part of the ASEAN Youth Energy Awards 2021, the photo story competition aimed to contribute to the awareness of the benefits of sustainable energy (solar, wind, hydro, tidal, and biofuel), paving the way for ASEAN’s cleaner and greener future. 

Implemented by the ASEAN Foundation and the ASEAN-German Energy Programme, the photo competition was themed “#ASEANYouth Shaping the Vision of Renewable Energy as the New Normal.” (StratCom)