70th Palanca Awards holds annual ceremony to honor winners

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