The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature marked its 73rd year of honoring Filipino writers with an awarding ceremony on Nov. 26 that recognized 54 winners across various categories.
Among this year’s esteemed judges in the country’s longest-running literary competition was Philippine Daily Inquirer Executive Editor Voltaire Contreras, who evaluated submissions in the Kabataan Essay and Kabataan Sanaysay categories.
From a historic high of 2,359 entries across all divisions, 57 judges narrowed the field to 58 winning works by 54 authors, who took home the highly coveted distinction.
Criselda ‘Dang’ Cecilio-Palanca highlighted the need to draw on creativity and fresh imagination ‘to forge literature that keeps in step with the times.’
‘And we must remain confident that it remains as progressive as heroic efforts to do battle with the illusions and conflicts and complexities that lie ahead,’ Cecilio-Palanca said during the ceremony in Makati City.
Professor Emeritus Dr. Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, a poet, playwright, translator, and educator whose award-winning works have uplifted women’s voices and social justice, graced the evening as guest of honor.
Established in 1951, the Palanca Awards is named after businessman and philanthropist Don Carlos Palanca Sr. and is aimed at promoting education and culture in the country.
Following is the list of winners:
Kabataan Sanaysay
First prize – Joshua Manio – ‘Tamang Pagluto ng Sinigang’
Second prize – Jhanna Louise Amado – ‘Enter Prompt: Ma, Sorry Po!’
Third prize – Euna Oraiz – ‘Suki Ako ng Pagod’
Kabataan Essay:
First prize – John Carl Guardian – ‘The Salt Sermon’
Second prize – Charisse Mae Gonzalo – ‘Everything is Made Up’
Third prize – Celestin Nicole Facistol – ‘Ctrl + V? No Thanks’
Maikling Kwento
First prize – Lee Joseph Castel – ‘Isang Kahong Cassette Tapes’
Second prize – Gilbert Baldoza – ‘Myra, Aso’
Third prize – Ronaldo Vivo Jr. – ‘Ang llusyon sa Kulay ng Ating Budhi’
Maikling Kwentong Pambata
First prize – Elyrah Loyola Salanga-Torralba – ‘Ginoong Buwan’
Second prize – Genaro Gojo Cruz – ‘Problema Ko Si Nanay’
Third prize – Dawn Gabriela Emmanuele Dela Rosa – ‘Si Tala Sa Mahiwagang Pila Ng Jeep’
Sanaysay
First prize – John Brixter Tino – ‘Ari’
Second prize – Filliffe Rae Anthonie Anorico – ‘Si Richard Gappi at Ako’
Third prize – Angela Cabanes – ‘Ang Apat Kong Ina’
Tula
First prize – Ronald Atilano – ‘Paghimbing sa Templo’
Second prize – Alvin Ursua – ‘Guho’
Third prize – Karl Isaac Santos – ‘Doomsaying’
Tula Para Sa Mga Bata
First prize – Christopher Rosales – ‘Mga Minatamis na Taludtod’
Second prize – Genaro Gojo Cruz – ‘Unang Tibok ng Pusong Musmos’
Third prize – Klara Domagtoy Espedido – ‘Ang Salita ay Isang Ugat’
Dulang May Isang Yugto
First prize – Aldrine Anzures – ‘Anino ng Pagtubos’
Second prize – Dustin Edward Celestino – ‘Elehiya’
Third prize – Rochelle Dinglasan – ‘Dantay sa Patay’
Dulang Ganap ang Haba
First prize – No winner
Second prize – No winner
Third prize – Dustin Edward Celestino – ‘A.NI.MAL’
Dulang Pampelikula
First prize – Christopher Cabahug – ‘Ang Birheng Ipinagkanulo’
Second prize – Rodolfo Vera – ‘Watsonville’
Third prize – Arjanmar Rebeta – ‘Mga Kalapating Matayog ang Lipad’
Short Story – Cebuano
First prize – Jose Alenogene Limpangog – ‘Ang Kataposang Bato sa Isla Pangaea’
Second prize – CD Borden – ‘Unglo’
Third prize – Kenjiro Mitsui – ‘Samin’
Short Story – Hiligaynon
First prize – Keft Sina-On Sobredo – ‘Anaw’
Second prize – Rex Menard Cervales – ‘Binakol’
Third prize – Al Jeffrey Gonzales – ‘Bagat’
Short Story – Ilokano
First prize – Freddie Masuli – ‘Ni Inang Cion ken ti Panagur-urayna’
Second prize – Lito Hilidon – ‘Ti Bannuar Ti Bario Tabueng’
Third prize – Prudencio Padios – ‘Fireplace’
Short Story
First prize – Al Ryanne Gatcho – ‘Goat’
Second prize – Enrico Miguel Perez – ‘Golgotha’
Third prize – Christopher Gabriel – ‘Milked For Milk’
Short Story For Children
First prize – John Bryan Balolong – ‘Captain Crayon and the Doodle Pirates’
Second prize – Manuelita Contreras-Cabrera – ‘That’s What I Said’
Third prize – Bryan Mari Argos – ‘Kapid’
Essay
First prize – Joan Saga-Oc – ‘Echoes of Life in a Kalinga Village: Past and Present’
Second prize – Catherine Babao – ‘The Cemetery Playlist’
Third prize – Mark Alden Arcenal – ‘Autoethnography of a Hermit Crab’
Poetry
First prize – Jan Dennis Destajo – ‘Translocation’
Second prize – Alfonso Manalastas – ‘Strange, Black Silhouettes’
Third prize – Ryan Paul Caidic – ‘Exodus 15’
Poetry Written for Children
First prize – Cyne Jarvis Zarceno – ‘All The Worlds I Know’
Second prize – Junard Duterte – ‘Wonders In The Whirlwind: Poems to Make You Think, Dream, and Do’
Third prize – Salvacion D. Tandoc – ‘Words That Wiggle and Dance’
One-Act Play
First prize – Russell Stanley Geronimo – ‘Repatriation’
Second prize – Nicolo Ricardo Magno – ‘The Field of Forgotten Dreams’
Third prize – Debbie Ann Tan – ‘One-Winged Butterfly’
Full-Length Play
First prize – Dustin Edward Celestino – ‘Fidelity’
Second prize – Rafael Paolo Jimenez – ‘LVNA’
Third prize – Salvacion Tandoc – ‘The President’s Therapist’