The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature celebrated its 71st year, holding the awarding ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center as part of its National Heritage Series.
This year, it added 30 new names—first-time awardees—in its prestigious list of the most prolific Filipino writers, poets, and playwrights. A total of 54 contestants received awards in 20 writing categories in four divisions: Kabataan, English, Filipino, and Regional Languages. Literary luminaries handpicked from their fields evaluated the 1,405 contest entries submitted.
Luis P. Gatmaitan, M.D.
Gracing the night as the Guest of Honor and Speaker is the award-winning children’s author, columnist, and radio host, Luis P. Gatmaitan, M.D. Inducted into the Palanca Awards Hall of Fame in 2005, Dr. Gatmaitan expands his profession as a physician to write children’s storybooks addressing sensitive issues such as disabilities, childhood ailments, and children’s rights, among others. Currently, he serves as the Chairperson of the National Council for Children’s Television, overseeing the implementation of a child-friendly landscape in Philippine Television.
Adding to his multiple local and international accolades was the night’s Gawad Dangal ng Lahi, a special citation granted by the Palanca Awards to those who have contributed immensely to the development of Philippine literature and have aptly become role models for Filipinos.
Named after businessman and philanthropist Don Carlos Palanca Sr. and sponsored by the Carlos Palanca Foundation Inc., the Palanca Awards is the longest-running and most prestigious literary competition in the country. It upholds the tradition of extending incentives for writers to continuously cultivate Philippine literature. A Palanca medal or recognition is highly coveted in the Filipino writing community here and abroad.
Since 1951, the Palanca Awards has conferred medals and certificates to a total of 2,526 Filipino authors, 26 of whom became Hall of Fame awardees for having five first prize-winning works. In championing literature, the Palanca Awards also serves as a treasury of our literary gems, currently holding a total of 2,617 winning works in its archives, spanning the years 1951 to 2023.
Following is the list of winners of the 71st Palanca Awards:
In the Kabataan Sanaysay category of the Kabataan Division, no entries secured the first prize. However, Amancio A. Caponpon V claimed the second prize for his work "Aranya sa Kisame," and Glorious Zacannah Exylin C. Alesna secured the third prize for her work "Sa Panahon ng Bagabag at Balisa: Paghagilap sa Pira-pirasong Retaso ng Hinahon at Pa(g)hinga."
Francis Roberto San Antonio Sevillena clinched the first prize for his work "Living on play in a world on pause." Glorious Zahara Exylin C. Alesna earned the second prize for her work "The Bully is you," while Rheyn Khrieztine S. Dela Pena took home the third prize for her work "Five More Minutes, Please!"
Moving to the Filipino Division under Maikling Kuwento, Peter Solis Nery secured the first prize for his work "Ang Tariktik." Jay Jomar F. Quintos claimed the second prize for his work "Buwaya," and Ella Jane G. Hermonio won the third prize for her work "Boses Pusa."
In the Sanaysay category, Kimberly Rose L. Pillo bagged the first prize for her work "Kung Paanong Nagmukha akong Sponge sa harap ng mga Pinggan." Al Joseph A. Lumen secured the second prize for his work "Auslander: Mga Danas sa Alemanya," and Edward Joseph Fernandez earned the third prize for his work "Ako ay si Ako nga."
Shifting to Tula (Poetry), Mikael de Lara Co claimed the first prize for her work "Epistolaryo ng Bagamundo at ang tugon ng Multo." Rogelio dela Rosa Jr. secured the second prize for his work "Ang Hindi Maiwasang Patlang," and Ralph Lorenz G. Fonte, M.D., took home the third prize for his work "Ex Novo Mvndo."
For Tula Para sa mga Bata (Poetry for Children), Dexter B. Gragasin won the first prize for his work "Tutula, Tutuli, Tutulo." Genaro R. Gojo Cruz secured the second prize for his work "Ako, mga tulang pambata," and Keisiah Dawn T. Tiaoson earned the third prize for his work "Tugma ng Buhay kong Payak."
In the category of Dulang may Isang Yugto (One-Act Play), Eljay Castro Deldoc claimed the first prize for his work "Ang Lipnayan ng ating mga Katawan." Dan Ian Paulo B. Mariposque secured the second prize for his work "The Divine Family," and Dustin Edward D. Celestino won the third prize for his work "Fermata."
For Dulang ganap ang haba (Full-Length Play), Miguel Antonio Alfredo V. Luarca emerged as the first prize winner for his work "Nekropolis." Christian R. Vallez secured the second prize for his work "Pingkian," while Joshua Lim So earned the third prize for his work "Atin ang Panahon."
For Dulang Pampelikula, Jonathan P. Jurilla won first prize for his work "Love Child." While Jimmy F. Flores (co-author) and Emmanuel Q. Palo (co-author) won second prize for their work "Elehiya," and Raymund T. Barcelon won third prize for his work "Beki Naman."
For Regional Division, under Short story-Cebuano, Neile Genica M. Sy won first prize for her work "Lenteng Pilokilay." While John Dante won second prize for his work "Ang Magsusulat Nga Haduol na sa Kamatayon," and CD Borden won third prize for his work "Alindasay."
For Short story-Hiligaynon, Ritchie D. Pagunsan won first prize for his work "Kauhaw sa Tingadlaw." While Alvin Q. Larida won second prize for his work "Lola Violeta," and Serafin I. Plotria, Jr. won third prize for his work "Puno sang Aligotgot."
For Short story-Ilokano, Rodolfo D. Agatep Jr. won first prize for his work "Diro Ti Disierto." While Jorge Richard P. Guerrero won second prize for his work "Idiay Langit, Awan Lanit," and Clarito De Francia, Jr. won third prize for his work "Piglatan."
For English Division, under Short story, Exie Abola won first prize for his work "Vile Creatures." While Ian Rosales Casocot won second prize for his work "Don't Follow Me, I Don't Even Know Where I'm Going," and Katrina D. Torralba won third prize for her work "Amadito and Amanda."
Elvie Victonette B. Razon-Gonzalez
For Short story for children, no entries won for the first prize. While Jonny Bernas Pornel won second prize for his work "The Legend of Ipot-ipot," and Elvie Victonette B. Razon-Gonzalez won third prize for his work "The Race to Uswag."
For Essay, Rio Renato Pulido Constantino won for the first prize for his work "The Year of the Periwinkle." While Russell Stanley Geronimo won second prize for his work "Profile of a Stateless Person: Notes on a Deportation Proceeding," and Francine M. Marquez won third prize for her work "Normalizing Survival."
For Poetry, Patricia Mariya Shishikura won for the first prize for her work "Translating Wildfires." While Vince Raphael V. Agcaoili won second prize for his work "Carrying," and Michael Maniquiz won third prize for his work "Lou Reed Meets Delmore Schwartz at a Bar."
For Poetry written for children, John Patrick F. Solano won for the first prize for his work "Odd Numbers." While Ian Rosales Casocot won second prize for his work "Bisaya for all that we gugma," and Simone Marie Sales won third prize for her work "Paper Planes."
For One-act play, Randy Q. Villanueva won for the first prize for his work "Neneng." While Ian Rosales Casocot won second prize for his work "The Midsummer of Manuel Arguilla," and Rossielle Sarabia Manicad won third prize for her work "My Lover's Presscon."
For Full-length play, Miguel Antonio Alfredo V. Luarca won for the first prize for his work "Dogsblood." While no entries won for second and third prize.