Mr. Jerome Hipolito of AdNU's College of Education emerged as one of the winners in the Poetry Category of the 5th Premio Tomas Arejola Para sa Literaturang Bikolnon held at the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary last September 13, 2008.

Aside from Hipolito, Messrs. Joner Cañeba (who was earlier declared as the Naga City Jaycees Writer of the Year) and Sonny Sendon, two other young writers from Iriga City , were each awarded a Gold Medallion and a cash prize. On the other hand, Mr. Juan Escandor, a correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Bicol Mail, won in the Fiction Category. No winners were declared in the Essay and One-act Play Categories.

In an interview, Hipolito, who submitted his first collection of poetry entitled "Pagbunag nin Paroy," said that this first major literary prize of his was both a confirmation of his gift and a challenge for him to continue honing his writings. Though a neophyte in the field of writing, Hipolito is excited to look for new materials for his poetry and write accordingly. Professor Jazmin Lllana, who served as the Chair of this year's Board of Judges, described Hipolito’s works as "highly lyrical and a testimony of the long tradition of social realism prevalent in the works of Bikol writers."

Other Ateneo students who were cited this year for their works were Ms. Daphne Benosa for her essay and poetry, Mr. Dan Cariño for his poetry, and Messrs. Edwin Morales and Emmanuel Magistrado for the poetry collection which they jointly completed.

Named after the Bikol propagandist and revolutionary, Tomas Arejola, the Premio is run by the Arejola Foundation for Social Responsibility Incorporated (AFSRI). This private group is composed of the descendants of Tomas and Gen. Ludovico Arejola who led the revolutionary government in Camarines during the Filipino-American War.

Recently, the foundation received the Naga City Mayoral Award and the Gawad Pedro Bucaneg given by the Unyon ng mga Filipinong Manunulat for its invaluable contribution to the development of Bikol writings. Previous winners in the the Premio Tomas, now regarded as the highest Bikol literary award, were Mr. Adrian Remodo (Philosophy Department) for his essay in 2006, Mr. Kristian S. Cordero (Social Sciences Department) for his poetry in 2004, Mr. Vic Nierva (Campus Ministry Office and Media Studies Department) also for his poetry in 2007, and Mr. Jose Jason Chancoco (a graduate last year from the Literature and Languages Department) for his short story for children in 2005.