Photo: Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature
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. 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 films, 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 for Pamimintana
2nd Prize: Hansly Kendrich C. Saw for Ang Larong Naipanalo Ko
3rd Prize: John Clarence D. Espedido for Mga Bantas ang Nagsilbi kong Guro
Kabataan Essay
1st Prize: Glorious Zahara Exylin C. Alesna for Home is a Bowl of Warm Soup
2nd Prize: Jenine A. Santos for Covid-19 is My Alter Ego
3rd Prize: Gavin Micah T. Herrera for The Social Pandemic
Filipino Division
Maikling Kuwento
1st Prize: Charmaine M. Lasar for Ang Value ng X Kapag Choppy si Mam
2nd Prize: Abegail E. Pariente for Barangay Alitaptap
3rd Prize: Alec Joshua B. Paradeza for Kung sa Bawat Pagtawag ay Pagtawid sa Dagat
Photo: Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature
Maikling Kuwentong Pambata
1st Prize: Mark Norman S. Boquiren for Si VeRaptor1 Laban kay Trolakuz
2nd Prize: Wilfredo Farrales Sarangaya for Balong Batsit, ang Bidang Bulilit at Bayaning Bulinggit
3rd Prize: Benedick N. Damaso for Mirasol para kay Lola Sol
Sanaysay
1st Prize: Venice Kayla Dacanay Delica for Kung Magkapalad Ka’t Mangmang
2nd Prize: Jhon Lester P. Sandigan for Tatlong Pancit Canton
3rd Prize Nathaniel R. Alcantara for Isang Dekadang Kontrata sa Piling ng mga Mikrobyo
Tula
1st Prize: Ralph Lorenz G. Fonte, M.D. for Uyayi ng mga Patay na Buwan
2nd Prize: Enrique S. Villasis for Pintula
3rd Prize: Sonny C. Sendon for Mga Anino sa Guho at iba pang mga tula
Tula Para sa mga Bata
1st Prize: Christian R. Vallez for Tula, Tula, Paano ka Ginawa?
2nd Prize: Rebecca T. Anonuevo for Ale Bangbang
3rd Prize: Ninia H. dela Cruz for Mga Pahina sa Alaala ng Nanay
Dulang may Isang Yugto
1st Prize: Andrew Bonifacio L. Clete for Punks Not Dead
2nd Prize: Layeta P. Bucoy for Dance of the Foolies
3rd Prize: Ryan Machado for Huling Haraya nina Ischia at Emeteria
Dulang Ganap ang Haba
1st Prize: Joshua Lim So for Mga Silid ng Unos: Tomo Uno
2nd Prize: Rodolfo C. Vera for Anak Datu
3rd Prize: Steven Prince C. Fernandez for Badung
Dulang Pampelikula
1st Prize: Avelino Mark C. Balmes, Jr. for Amoy Pulbos
2nd Prize: Noreen Besmar Capili for DOS
3rd Prize: Ehdison M. Dimen for Ang Pananalangin sa Getsemani
Regional Division
Short Story – Cebuano
1st Prize: Noel P. Tuazon for Barang
2nd Prize: Manu Avenido for Ikigai
3rd Prize: Januar E. Yap for John Wayne ug ang Goldfish kong Inahan
Short Story – Hiligaynon
1st Prize: Peter Solis Nery for Ang Macatol Kag Ang “Queen of Relief”
2nd Prize: Early Sol A. Gadong for Malipayon nga Katapusan
3rd Prize: Ritchie D. Pagunsan for Esperanza
Short Story – Ilokano
1st Prize: Oswald Ancheta Valente for Ti Kimat Ken Ti Silag
2nd Prize: Remedios S. Tabelisma-Aguillon for Ti Ubing
3rd Prize: Rodolfo D. Agatep Jr. for Karton
English Division
Short Story
1st Prize: Ian Rosales Casocot for Ceferina in Apartment 2G
2nd Prize: Exie Abola for Ardor
3rd Prize: Hammed Bolotaolo for The Money Changer
Short Story for Children
1st Prize: NO WINNER
2nd Prize: Elyrah L. Salanga-Torralba for Cloud Keeper
3rd Prize: Heather Ann Ferrer Pulido for My Grandma who lives in Half a House
Essay
1st Prize: Alfonso Tomas P. Araullo for Letter from Tawi-Tawi
2nd Prize: Michaela Sarah De Leon for Filipino Millennial Monomyth
3rd Prize: Alexandra Francesca A. Bichara for The Helmsman’s Daughter
Poetry
1st Prize: Ramil Digal Gulle Bol-anon for Prodigal
2nd Prize: Soleil David for A Few Dawns from now, A Sunfish
3rd Prize: Lawrence Anthony R. Bernabe for The Blueline
Poetry Written for Children
1st Prize: Elyrah L. Salanga-Torralba for An Empty Chair in the Corner
2nd Prize: Peter Solis Nery for Picnic, Symphony and other concepts a 4th Grader needs to know
3rd Prize: NO WINNER
One-Act Play
1st Prize: Ronald S. Covar for The Cave Dwellers
2nd Prize: Bonifacio P. Ilagan for Salvaged Eman
3rd Prize: Maria Kristine B. Roxas-Miller for Agencia Feliz
Full-Length Play
1st Prize: Layeta P. Bucoy for Orgullo Compound
2nd Prize: Jay Mariano Crisostomo IV for Black Bordello
3rd Prize: Dustin Edward D. Celestino for The Lost Filipino Patriots of America
Novel
Grand Prize: Raymundo T. Pandan, Jr. for Bittersweetland
Special Prize: Alvin Dela Serna Lopez for 1762
Nobela
Grand Prize (Pangunahing Gantimpala): Khavn for ANTIMARCOS
Special Prize (Natatanging Gantimpala): Edgar Calabia Samar for Teorya ng Unang Panahon
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