The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature marked its 73rd year of recognizing local talent, continuing its mission to promote literature in the country and to inspire Filipino writers to craft their best pieces.
Established in 1950, the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature was created in honor of Carlos Palanca Sr., a Chinese-Filipino businessman and philanthropist during the late Spanish colonial era up to the Philippines’ early independence. The award-giving body promotes Philippine literature through recognizing works by local authors in different literary categories.
With a record high of over 2,300 submissions, the competition was judged by 57 experts, narrowing down the entries to 58 winning works by 54 authors.
Kabataan Sanaysay
First Prize – Tamang Pagluto ng Sinigang by Joshua Manio
Second Prize – Enter Prompt: Ma, Sorry Po! by Jhanna Louise Amado
Third Prize – Suki Ako ng Pagod by Euna Oraiz
Kabataan Essay
First Prize – Tamang Pagluto ng Sinigang by Joshua Manio
Second Prize – Enter Prompt: Ma, Sorry Po! by Jhanna Louise Amado
Third Prize – Suki Ako ng Pagod by Euna Oraiz
Maikling Kwento
First Prize – Tamang Pagluto ng Sinigang by John Carl Guardian
Second Prize – Everything is Made Up by Charisse Mae Gonzalo
Third Prize – Ctrl + V? No Thanks by Celestin Nicole Facistol
Maikling Kwentong Pambata
First Prize – Isang Kahong Cassette Tapes by Lee Joseph Castel
Second Prize – Myra, Aso by Gilbert Baldoza
Third Prize – Ang Ilusyon sa Kulay ng Ating Budhi by Ronaldo Vivo Jr.
Sanaysay
First Prize – Ari by John Brixter Tino
Second Prize – Si Richard Gappi at Ako by Filliffe Rae Anthonie Anorico
Third Prize – Ang Apat Kong Ina by Angela Cabanes
Tula
First Prize – Paghimbing sa Templo by Ronald Atilano
Second Prize – Guho by Alvin Ursua
Third Prize – Doomsaying by Karl Isaac Santos
Tula Para sa Mga Bata
First Prize – Mga Minatamis na Taludtod by Christopher Rosales
Second Prize – Unang Tibok ng Pusong Musmos by Genaro Gojo Cruz
Third Prize – Ang Salita ay Isang Ugat by Klara Domagtoy Espedido
Dulang May Isang Yugto
First Prize – Anino ng Pagtubos by Aldrine Anzures
Second Prize – Elehiya by Dustin Edward Celestino
Third Prize – Dantay sa Patay by Rochelle Dinglasan
Dulang Ganap ang Haba
First Prize – No winner
Second Prize – No winner
Third Prize – A.NI.MAL by Dustin Edward Celestino
Dulang Pampelikula
First Prize – Ang Birheng Ipinagkanulo by Christopher Cabahug
Second Prize – Watsonville by Rodolfo Vera
Third Prize – Mga Kalapating Matayog ang Lipad by Arjanmar Rebeta
Short Story – Cebuano
First Prize – Ang Kataposang Bato sa Isla Pangaea by Jose Alenogene Limpangog
Second Prize – Unglo by CD Borden
Third Prize – Samin by Kenjiro Mitsui
Short Story – Hiligaynon
First Prize – Anaw by Keft Sina-On Sobredo
Second Prize – Binakol by Rex Menard Cervales
Third Prize – Bagat by Al Jeffrey Gonzales
Short Story – Ilokano
First Prize – Ni Inang Cion ken ti Panagur-urayna by Freddie Masuli
Second Prize – Ti Bannuar Ti Bario Tabueng by Lito Hilidon
Third Prize – Fireplace by Prudencio Padios
Short Story
First Prize – Goat by Al Ryanne Gatcho
Second Prize – Golgotha by Enrico Miguel Perez
Third Prize – Milked For Milk by Christopher Gabriel
Short Story for Children
First Prize – Captain Crayon and the Doodle Pirates by John Bryan Balolong
Second Prize – That’s What I Said by Manuelita Contreras-Cabrera
Third Prize – Kapid by Bryan Mari Argos
Essay
First Prize – Echoes of Life in a Kalinga Village: Past and Present by Joan Saga-Oc
Second Prize – The Cemetery Playlist by Catherine Babao
Third Prize – Autoethnography of a Hermit Crab by Mark Alden Arcenal
Poetry
First Prize – Translocation by Jan Dennis Destajo
Second Prize – Strange, Black Silhouettes by Alfonso Manalastas
Third Prize – Exodus 15 by Ryan Paul Caidic
Poetry Written for Children
First Prize – All The Worlds I Know by Cyne Jarvis Zarceno
Second Prize – Wonders In The Whirlwind: Poems to Make You Think, Dream, and Do by Junard Duterte
Third Prize – Words That Wiggle and Dance by Salvacion D. Tandoc
One-Act Play
First Prize – Repatriation by Russell Stanley Geronimo
Second Prize – The Field of Forgotten Dreams by Nicolo Ricardo Magno
Third Prize – One-Winged Butterfly by Debbie Ann Tan
Full-Length Play
First Prize – Fidelity by Dustin Edward Celestino
Second Prize – LVNA by Rafael Paolo Jimenez
Third Prize – The President’s Therapist by Salvacion Tandoc
The Palanca Awards continues to be a beacon of hope in Philippine literature, pushing forth writing human experiences, thoughts, and ideas in the FIlipino language.
Have you read any of the winning pieces at the Palanca Awards? Tell us about it in the comments!