Micah Joyce Guillermo was the 1st Place winner in the Senior High School Category of the Cagayan Art and Creative Writing Awards (CACWA) 2020 for her short story Tahanan. Written on December 20, 2020, during a time when young Cagayanos were navigating the challenges of the pandemic, the story explores the meaning of home, through memory, discovery, and the warmth of others.

“Tahanan” celebrates the resilience of the people of Cagayan, the strength of community, and the idea that a true home is defined not by a roof, but by the hearts that welcome you. The story invites readers to journey with its characters as they discover what it truly means to belong.

Micah Guillermo wrote this poem on June 12, 2020, Philippine Independence Day, during a time of political tension and national reflection in the Philippines. A few weeks prior, Congress denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, the country's largest broadcast network, prompting the government to order its shutdown. The decision sparked widespread debate about press freedom, democracy, and the role of journalism in holding power accountable.

Amid these events, many Filipinos, especially the youth, used their voices to defend the importance of truth, free speech, and an independent press. Written on a day meant to commemorate the nation’s freedom, this poem reflects the belief that words can serve as weapons against injustice and that young Filipinos can fight for their country not through violence, but through truth, courage, and the power of expression.