Ples Singsing is a Papua Niuginian Writer’s blog created by four prominent PNG writers, Caroline Evari, Betty Wakia, Gregory Bablis and Michael Dom.
The four Ples Singsing Masterminds started this website to have PNG writing and arts shared, promoted, reviewed and celebrated on digital platform, to provide a means of dialogue between us as Papua Niuginian’s talking about our culture and heritage, lifestyle and entertainment, our history, economy, society, religion and the politics we have as a nation.
We welcome all Papua Niuginian writers to join us at Ples Singsing.
Today Ples Singsing is proud to announce the launch of a short essay writing competition for secondary to tertiary school students living in Papua Niugini.
This is a privately funded contest aimed to engage with youth aged between 16 to 36 years of age and currently enrolled in an educational institute.
The Ples Singsing Masterminds are all writers with a penchant for supporting their colleagues in their chosen creative field – literature.
In other avenues PNG writers have tried to garner government support for the promotion of a national literary organization.
But it is equally important that PNG writers and published authors understand the thoughts and opinions of their PNG readers. Ples Singsing advocates “PNG authors for PNG readers”.
We ask you what you think on this essay topic:
Why do you think the PNG government should/should not buy PNG authored books?
Mipela i laik tumas long kisim tingting bilong yupela ol narapela raita na tu ol rida.
Entry and competition details will follow.
About the Masterminds
Caroline Evari works as a World Bank Team Assistant where she was recently interviewed for International Women’s Day 2020. “Caroline Evari began writing at the age of six. She is now the author of 28 children’s books and has published her own book of poems, Nanu Sina: My Words (reviewed here by writer/blogger Tanya Zeriga Alone), all while supporting the World Bank and its nine projects in Papua New Guinea and raising two sons”.
Betty Gabriel Wakia is a writer, blogger and women’s advocate, with qualifications in education from University of South Wales in UK and Tianjin University of Technology and Education in China. Betty, along with Caroline, contributed to the milestone publication My Walk to Equality edited by Rashmii Bell. She is a volunteer assistant teacher at New Erima Primary School, where she has launched a student writing program which is also promoted by Ples Singsing.
Gregory Bablis is Principal Curator of the Modern History Department at the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery in Port Moresby. He is currently on doctoral studies at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. He previously administered at the University of Papua New Guinea Bookshop, where he was part of a renaissance in publishing and book selling. Gregory is a well read historian and a keen poet with exceptional published poems like Where am I from.
Michael Dom is a Principal scientist at PNG National Agriculture Research Institute based in Lae. He is a well known poet with a number of books to his credit, including e-books which have been made available for free download here. Michael’s poetry has been recognized by the BBC Scotland (The Political Economy of a Pig Farmers Life) and the Commonwealth Educational Trust (Lucky Little Lizard).
Ples Singsing - A PNG Writer's Blog 
It is a great initiative. I am always dreaming of becoming an author, and I’m still chasing my dream. I hope one day will publish one. I’m working on my poems and short stories.
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Good to hear that Cletus.
We’re ready to publish any of your pieces online when you’re ready.
Ples Singsing Masterminds
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I want to take part in Writing poems and Essays,
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Hi Peter, we’ll send you an entry form for the 2020 Essay competition.
Read the Entry rules to see if you’re eligible.
Ples Singsing Masterminds.
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Correction. Greg Bablis is studying for his doctorate at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Not Edinburgh.
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Thanks for the correction Simon.
Ples Singsing Masterminds
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It would be nice to have an open category essay compettition as well. There are many interesed individuals out there who fall in the mentioned age category and would like to participate but are not in the the tertiary category.
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Hi Vivlyn,
We’re glad to read your comment. We knew that there would be lots more interest but wanted to focus on one part of a bigger reader/writer audience.
With more people involved, better networking and resources, we may be able to have more essay contests open to many other interested participants.
Ples Singsing Masterminds
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I really wants to read books written by Papua New Guinean Writers ..
And hope to follow all the writing
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Hi Max Jack,
Welcome to Ples Singsing. We’re glad you’ve come and will surely do our part to post more Papua Niuginian writers work.
Next week we have a new short-story and a poem coming.
Cheers!
Ples Singsing Masterminds
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This is a great initiative towards enhancing students’ literacy skills. Literature has been a big problem in many schools in PNG. What ‘Ples Singsing’ has done done is commendable. This essay competition is a challenge to all students across PNG to think critically in writing their essays.
Let the best writer wins!
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Hi Misack,
Thank you for your encouragement.
We are looking forward to reading those essays entered in the contest and hope to grow the interest in writing, reading and critical thinking exercises.
We also accept creative works in poetry and short-story writing and hope one day to hold similar contests for those as well.
We need the kind of support and encouragement you voice here.
Regards,
Ples Singsing Masterminds
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This is a great initiative towards enhancing students’ literacy skills. Literature has been a big problem in many schools in PNG. What ‘Ples Singsing’ have done is commendable. This essay competition is a challenge to all students across PNG to think critically in writing their essays.
Let the best writer wins!
LikeLiked by 1 person