Fifty-one literary personalities emerged as winners in the recently concluded 66th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (Palanca Awards). Among this year’s victors, 24 were first-time winners and one contender took home prizes in two separate categories.
The Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc., the Awards’ organizer and sponsor, received entries in 20 categories, as the Novel and Nobela categories were not opened this year. Distinguished judges handpicked from their respective areas of expertise evaluated the submissions.
The awarding ceremony had multi-awarded actor, director, and theater artist Antonio “Tony” Mabesa as speaker and guest of honor. Mabesa is a professor emeritus at the University of the Philippines, for which he founded Dulaang UP. Mabesa was conferred the Gawad Dangal ng Lahi for a stellar career spanning six decades, during which he was involved in countless productions and has mentored students who eventually carved their own names in the industry.
The Palanca Awards is the longest-running literary competition in the Philippines and is considered as the gold standard in writing excellence. Named after the businessman and philanthropist Don Carlos Palanca Sr., it aims to both enrich Philippine Literature by giving incentives to writers and serve as a treasury of Philippine literary gems.
Following is the list of winners of the 66th Palanca Awards:
KABATAAN DIVISION
KABATAAN SANAYSAY
1st Prize Mikaela Lu Apollo (Hulagway sa Rabaw ng Tubig)
2nd Prize Harvey D. Lor (Minsan Nag-Selfie ang Isang Propagandista)
3rd Prize Jason Renz D. Barrios (Ang Pinakamagandang Pamato sa Larong Piko)
School Prize Jubilee Christian Academy
KABATAAN ESSAY
1st Prize Jill Esther V. Parreño (To Thine Own Self Be True)
2nd Prize Dawn Gabriela Emmanuele G. Dela Rosa (Then The Abstract Was Misunderstood)
3rd Prize Alpheus Matthew D. Llantero (iThink, Therefore iAm)
FILIPINO DIVISION
MAIKLING KUWENTO
1st Prize Orlando A. Oliveros (Ang Daga)
2nd Prize Emmanuel T. Barrameda (Bangkera)
3rd Prize Paolo Miguel G. Tiausas (Cutter)
MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAMBATA
1st Prize Annalyn Leyesa-Go (Ang Nakabibilib na si Lola Ising)
2nd Prize Manuelita Contreras-Cabrera (May Pula)
3rd Prize Eugene Y. Evasco (Ambon ng Liwanag)
SANAYSAY
1st Prize Christopher S. Rosales (Pugon na De-Gulong)
2nd Prize Eugene Y. Evasco (Mga Pagsasanay sa Paggalugad ng Siyudad)
3rd Prize Segundo Matias (#PaperDolls)
TULA
1st Prize Mark Anthony S. Angeles (Di Lang Lalang)
2nd Prize Louie Jon Agustin Sanchez (Tempus Per Annum at Iba pang Tula)
3rd Prize Allan John Andres (#PagsisiyasatSaSugat)
TULA PARA SA MGA BATA
1st Prize German Villanueva Gervacio (Ang Totoo, Raya, Ang buwan ay Itlog ng Butiki)
2nd Prize John Patrick F. Solano (Tiniklop-tiklop na Bugtong)
3rd Prize Vijae Orquia Alquisola (Awit ng Bakwit)
DULANG MAY ISANG YUGTO
1st Prize Real Name: Miguel Antonio Alfredo V. Luarca (Bait)
Literary Name: Guelan Varela-Luarca
2nd Prize Mark Adrian Crisostomo Ho (Billboard)
3rd Prize Ma. Cecilia C. De La Rosa (Ang Mga Bisita ni Jean)
DULANG GANAP ANG HABA
1st Prize WALANG NAGWAGI
2nd Prize WALANG NAGWAGI
3rd Prize Full name: Carlito P. Casaje (Chiaroscuro)
Literary Name: Lito Casaje
DULANG PAMPELIKULA
1st Prize Jimmy F. Flores (Kulay Lila ang Gabi na Binudburan pa ng mga Bituin)
2nd Prize Real Full Name: Ericdante Cabahug (Deadma Walking)
Literary Name: Eric Cabahug
3rd Prize Real Full Name: Ymmanwel Rico Provinio (Alay ng Lupa sa Daing ng Dagat)
Literary Name: Raffaell Orotyerro
REGIONAL DIVISION
SHORT STORY – CEBUANO
1st Prize CD Borden (Tigpamaba sa Magay)
2nd Prize Gumer M. Rafanan (Lumba)
3rd Prize Manuel M. Avenido, Jr. (Estatwa)
SHORT STORY – HILIGAYNON
1st Prize Ritchie D. Pagunsan (Ang Panaad)
2nd Prize Early Sol A. Gadong (Nagakaangay nga Panapton)
3rd Prize Alain Russ G. Dimzon (Bahal Nga Tuba)
SHORT STORY – ILOKANO
1st Prize NO WINNER
2nd Prize NO WINNER
3rd Prize Roy V. Aragon (Pamulinawen)
ENGLISH DIVISION
SHORT STORY
1st Prize Richard C. Cornelio (Zoetrope)
2nd Prize Larissa Mae R. Suarez (Sundays at the Cardozas’)
3rd Prize Michelle Abigail Tiu Tan (Things that Matter)
SHORT STORY FOR CHILDREN
1st Prize NO WINNER
2nd Prize NO WINNER
3rd Prize Joemar L. Furigay (Saranggola)
ESSAY
1st Prize Joel Vega (A View From Masada)
2nd Prize Hammed Q. Bolotaolo (Circle)
3rd Prize Maria Roselle G. Umlas (Lip Reading)
POETRY
1st Prize Ana Maria K. Lacuesta (Hush Harbor)
2nd Prize Dr. Merlinda Bobis (Accidents of Composition)
3rd Prize Angela Gabrielle Fabunan (Homecoming Collection)
POETRY WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN
1st Prize NO WINNER
2nd Prize Jaime An Lim (The Small Bright Things)
3rd Prize Patricia Celina A. Ngo (Miniature Masterpieces)
ONE-ACT PLAY
1st Prize Peter Solis Nery Tic-Tac-Toe
2nd Prize Robert Arlo DeGuzman 1990
3rd Prize Patrick James Manongdo Valera Gawani’s First Dance
FULL-LENGTH PLAY
1st Prize Joachim Emilio B. Antonio (The Floret Road)
2nd Prize NO WINNER
3rd Prize Michael Aaron C. Gomez (Tirador ng Tinago)
