Web design enthusiasts from various high schools and universities join what could be the biggest and the only web design contest implemented on a national scale. Eighty eight (88) students, from tertiary and technical institutions, submitted their entries for the College Category of The 2nd Young Web Designers Awards. High School category entries have already reached a total of 94 entries– a clear indication of the Filipino youth’s growing interest in ICT and its applications.

Ten national finalists for each category will be chosen based on a set criteria. The national finals will be held at Netopia Internet Café in SM City, Cebu on 24-25 September 2002. This will be an on-the-spot web development competition based on given themes to be disclosed only on the night before the actual contest. Contestants are allowed to choose from an array of programs and software used in web designing. The Grand Awardees for both categories will take home cellular phones courtesy of Infocom, plaques and cash prizes (to be given away by the Science Education Institute or SEI) worth P100,000 for first prize winners, P 50,000 for second prize winners and P 25,000 for third prize winners. A consolation prize of P5,000 will also be awarded to each of the remaining national finalists. The first prize winner for the college category will also bag a package tour for two (2) to any one choice local tourist destination, courtesy of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The 2nd Young Web Designers Awards is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology through the Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) to motivate the youth to use information and communications technology for productive purposes. The project’s major sponsors are Infocom and Netopia Internet Café. Other sponsors include the DOT, Landbank of the Philippines, Pacific Internet, Trabaho.com., Philweavers, iskul.org., and STI.

• The 2nd Young Web Designers Awards