The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, which staged its 70th edition after a two-year hiatus, recently held its annual ceremony to honor the winning writers, poets, and playwrights. The revelry happened at the Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, where a total of 59 writers, 28 of which are first-time awardees, were chosen as this year’s recipients.
The total number of writing categories awarded was 22, as the Novel and Nobela categories were open this year, with the surprise addition of a Special Prize for each. All winning entries were evaluated by an elite roster of literary luminaries handpicked for their respective expertise.
It was Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson who stood as the Guest of Honor and Speaker at this year’s awarding ceremony. A professor emeritus of the U.P. Film Institute and former Dean of the U.P. Diliman College of Mass Communication, he has shaped many young minds in the fields of film, media, literature, and theater. Dr. Tiongson is also a founding member and former chair of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, among other organizations he helped establish. He has published various studies on Philippine film and theater and harnessed the power of the written word to create the film books, articles, reviews, and interviews that earned him various accolades throughout his career.
Named after businessman and philanthropist Don Carlos Palanca Sr., the Palanca Awards continuously seeks to cultivate Philippine Literature by providing incentives for writers and serving as a treasury of these literary gems. It is considered the gold standard in writing excellence, highly coveted by Filipino writers, young and old, here and abroad alike.
Following is the list of winners of the 70th Palanca Awards:
| KABATAAN DIVISION | ||
| KABATAAN SANAYSAY | ||
| 1st Prize | Glorious Zavannah Exylin C. Alesna | Pamimintana |
| 2nd Prize | Hansly Kendrich C. Saw | Ang Larong Naipanalo Ko |
| 3rd Prize | John Clarence D. Espedido | Mga Bantas ang Nagsilbi kong Guro |
| KABATAAN ESSAY | ||
| 1st Prize | Glorious Zahara Exylin C. Alesna | Home is a Bowl of Warm Soup |
| 2nd Prize | Jenine A. Santos | Covid-19 is My Alter Ego |
| 3rd Prize | Gavin Micah T. Herrera | The Social Pandemic |
| FILIPINO DIVISION | ||
| MAIKLING KUWENTO | ||
| 1st Prize | Charmaine M. Lasar | Ang Value ng X Kapag Choppy si Mam |
| 2nd Prize | Abegail E. Pariente | Barangay Alitaptap |
| 3rd Prize | Alec Joshua B. Paradeza | Kung sa Bawat Pagtawag ay Pagtawid sa Dagat |
| MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAMBATA | ||
| 1st Prize | Mark Norman S. Boquiren | Si VeRaptor1 Laban kay Trolakuz |
| 2nd Prize | Wilfredo Farrales Sarangaya | Balong Batsit, ang Bidang Bulilit at Bayaning Bulinggit |
| 3rd Prize | Benedick N. Damaso | Mirasol para kay Lola Sol |
| SANAYSAY | ||
| 1st Prize | Venice Kayla Dacanay Delica | Kung Magkapalad Ka’t Mangmang |
| 2nd Prize | Jhon Lester P. Sandigan | Tatlong Pancit Canton |
| 3rd Prize | Nathaniel R. Alcantara | Isang Dekadang Kontrata sa Piling ng mga Mikrobyo |
| TULA | ||
| 1st Prize | Ralph Lorenz G. Fonte, M.D. | Uyayi ng mga Patay na Buwan |
| 2nd Prize | Enrique S. Villasis | Pintula |
| 3rd Prize | Sonny C. Sendon | Mga Anino sa Guho at iba pang mga tula |
| TULA PARA SA MGA BATA | ||
| 1st Prize | Christian R. Vallez | Tula, Tula, Paano ka Ginawa? |
| 2nd Prize | Rebecca T. Anonuevo | Ale Bangbang |
| 3rd Prize | Ninia H. dela Cruz | Mga Pahina sa Alaala ng Nanay |
| DULANG MAY ISANG YUGTO | ||
| 1st Prize | Andrew Bonifacio L. Clete | Punks Not Dead |
| 2nd Prize | Layeta P. Bucoy | Dance of the Foolies |
| 3rd Prize | Ryan Machado | Huling Haraya nina Ischia at Emeteria |
| DULANG GANAP ANG HABA | ||
| 1st Prize | Joshua Lim So | Mga Silid ng Unos: Tomo Uno |
| 2nd Prize | Rodolfo C. Vera | Anak Datu |
| 3rd Prize | Steven Prince C. Fernandez | Badung |
| DULANG PAMPELIKULA | ||
| 1st Prize | Avelino Mark C. Balmes, Jr. | Amoy Pulbos |
| 2nd Prize | Noreen Besmar Capili | DOS |
| 3rd Prize | Ehdison M. Dimen | Ang Pananalangin sa Getsemani |
| REGIONAL DIVISION | ||
| SHORT STORY-CEBUANO | ||
| 1st Prize | Noel P. Tuazon | Barang |
| 2nd Prize | Manu Avenido | Ikigai |
| 3rd Prize | Januar E. Yap | John Wayne ug ang Goldfish kong Inahan |
| SHORT STORY-HILIGAYNON | ||
| 1st Prize | Peter Solis Nery | Ang Macatol Kag Ang “Queen of Relief” |
| 2nd Prize | Early Sol A. Gadong | Malipayon nga Katapusan |
| 3rd Prize | Ritchie D. Pagunsan | Esperanza |
| SHORT STORY-ILOKANO | ||
| 1st Prize | Oswald Ancheta Valente | Ti Kimat Ken Ti Silag |
| 2nd Prize | Remedios S. Tabelisma-Aguillon | Ti Ubing |
| 3rd Prize | Rodolfo D. Agatep Jr. | Karton |
| ENGLISH DIVISION | ||
| SHORT STORY | ||
| 1st Prize | Ian Rosales Casocot | Ceferina in Apartment 2G |
| 2nd Prize | Exie Abola | Ardor |
| 3rd Prize | Hammed Bolotaolo | The Money Changer |
| SHORT STORY FOR CHILDREN | ||
| 1st Prize | NO WINNER | |
| 2nd Prize | Elyrah L. Salanga-Torralba | Cloud Keeper |
| 3rd Prize | Heather Ann Ferrer Pulido | My Grandma who lives in Half a House |
| ESSAY | ||
| 1st Prize | Alfonso Tomas P. Araullo | Letter from Tawi-Tawi |
| 2nd Prize | Michaela Sarah De Leon | Filipino Millennial Monomyth |
| 3rd Prize | Alexandra Francesca A. Bichara | The Helmsman’s Daughter |
| POETRY | ||
| 1st Prize | Ramil Digal Gulle | Bol-anon Prodigal |
| 2nd Prize | Soleil David | A Few Dawns from now, A Sunfish |
| 3rd Prize | Lawrence Anthony R. Bernabe | The Blueline |
| POETRY WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN | ||
| 1st Prize | Elyrah L. Salanga-Torralba | An Empty Chair in the Corner |
| 2nd Prize | Peter Solis Nery | Picnic, Symphony and other concepts a 4th Grader needs to know |
| 3rd Prize | NO WINNER | |
| ONE-ACT PLAY | ||
| 1st Prize | Ronald S. Covar | The Cave Dwellers |
| 2nd Prize | Bonifacio P. Ilagan | Salvaged Eman |
| 3rd Prize | Maria Kristine B. Roxas-Miller | Agencia Feliz |
| FULL-LENGTH PLAY | ||
| 1st Prize | Layeta P. Bucoy | Orgullo Compound |
| 2nd Prize | Jay Mariano Crisostomo IV | Black Bordello |
| 3rd Prize | Dustin Edward D. Celestino | The Lost Filipino Patriots of America |
| NOVEL | ||
| Grand Prize | Raymundo T. Pandan, Jr. | Bittersweetland |
| Special Prize | Alvin Dela Serna Lopez | 1762 |
| NOBELA | ||
| Grand Prize (Pangunahing Gantimpala) | Khavn | ANTIMARCOS |
| Special Prize (Natatanging Gantimpala) | Edgar Calabia Samar | Teorya ng Unang Panahon |
