The 1st Passion of Poetry – Member Art Pix Prompt (MAPP) Grand Competition marks a historic milestone in the global literary community, uniting more than 5,000 poets worldwide in a shared celebration of art, culture, and creative expression.
The journey began in September 2023, when MAPP launched its first weekly event, inviting poets to craft verses inspired by selected works of art. Every Friday, the challenge unfolded anew—an experiment in merging the visual and literary arts into one vibrant tapestry of creativity. Over the months, this initiative gathered nearly 1,000 entries, a powerful testament to poetry’s enduring resonance across cultures. From this rich collection, 20 finalists were carefully chosen for the Grand Competition.
Celebrating the Judges
Central to the competition’s success was its remarkable panel of international judges, whose wisdom and impartiality elevated the contest to global standards. At the helm, Amb. Antonio Ma-at of the Philippines, serving as Executive Event Director, ensured both fairness and world-class execution. Alongside him stood POP President Annette Tarpley, whose vision has been instrumental in uniting poets under the Passion of Poetry movement.
The judges’ panel reflected extraordinary diversity:
• Angela Kosta (Italy) – prolific author, translator, and Ambassador of Culture and Peace.
• Yannis Fikas (Greece) – President of the Academy of Farsala and Director of Humanities at BCA College Athens.
• Helen Sarita (Philippines) – founder of Filipino Poets in Blossoms and Blossoms Journal International.
• Joan Josep Barcelo (Spain) – internationally acclaimed artist-poet with a scientific background.
• Eva Lianou Petropoulou (Greece) – distinguished children’s author and President of Greece MMEX.
• Alexander Kabishev (Russia) – Chief Editor of Demo GOG and leader of the Hyperpoem Anthology Project.
• Ody Munson (Hong Kong) – author, TEDx speaker, and President of Horizon International.
• Gabriella White (USA) – novelist, poet, and founder of the New Leaf Writing Community.
• Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee (India) – respected academic and global literary voice.
• Amb. Antonio Ma-at (Philippines) – diplomat, cultural advocate, and event director.
Their collective perspectives, rooted in literature, education, journalism, and cultural ambassadorship, ensured that the evaluation process was not only rigorous but also deeply enriching. Each judge ranked their top five poems, assigning scores between 10 and 50 points, while Director Ma-at contributed additional evaluations. Together, they formed a system totaling 550 points, a reflection of collective judgment rather than individual bias.
Honoring the Winners
The Grand Finale Results showcased an extraordinary range of voices:
• 1st Place: Nikola Meekin (UK)
• 2nd Place: Sujata Banggoo (India)
• 3rd Place: Tha Ono (Trinidad & Tobago)
• 4th Place: Ency Bearis (USA)
• 5th Place: Fatima Sarah (India)
• 6th Place: Feliz Ruiz (Philippines) – tie
• 6th Place: Zenobia Abiera (Philippines) – tie
• 7th Place: Richarddonna McCabe (UK) – tie
• 7th Place: Aaradhana Sadasivam (Singapore) – tie
• 8th Place: Harumi Aina (Indonesia)
• 9th Place: Jackie Shaffer (USA) – tie
• 9th Place: Farida Fanaswala (India) – tie
• 9th Place: F.P. Jones (USA) – tie
• 10th Place: Kathy Jo Blake Bryant (USA)
• 11th Place: Carol Mitra (India)
Gratitude to the Team
Behind the scenes, tireless admins and moderators ensured the smooth execution of the competition: Sarfraz Ahmed, Rita Chugh, Sai Prakash, Ekta Ahuja, Helen Sarita, Rajashree Mohapatra, Eureka Robey, Jill Tait, Zan Johns, Gita Mohanty, Shalini Yadav, Cristian Romero Diaz, Jacqueline Villoso Vento, Toufiq Zohur, Dexter Amoroso, Poet Sherry Healy, Stuart Dann, Chyrel J. Jackson, Silver Kat, and Farida S. Faniswala. Their dedication made the vision a reality.
A Legacy of Words
The 1st POP MAPP Grand Competition has proven that poetry knows no borders. It is a living, breathing force that unites people across continents, faiths, and traditions. With over 5,000 poets answering the call, this historic event stands as both a celebration of words and a promise of the future—a future where art and poetry continue to inspire, connect, and transform lives.
