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.

70th Palanca Awards holds annual ceremony to honor winners
70th Palanca Awards holds annual ceremony to honor winners

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 PrizeGlorious Zavannah Exylin C. AlesnaPamimintana
2nd PrizeHansly Kendrich C. SawAng Larong Naipanalo Ko
3rd PrizeJohn Clarence D. EspedidoMga Bantas ang Nagsilbi kong Guro
KABATAAN ESSAY 
1st PrizeGlorious Zahara Exylin C. AlesnaHome is a Bowl of Warm Soup
2nd PrizeJenine A. SantosCovid-19 is My Alter Ego
3rd PrizeGavin Micah T. HerreraThe Social Pandemic

FILIPINO DIVISION

MAIKLING KUWENTO 
1st PrizeCharmaine M. LasarAng Value ng X Kapag Choppy si Mam
2nd PrizeAbegail E. ParienteBarangay Alitaptap
3rd PrizeAlec Joshua B. ParadezaKung sa Bawat Pagtawag ay Pagtawid sa Dagat
MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAMBATA 
1st PrizeMark Norman S. BoquirenSi VeRaptor1 Laban kay Trolakuz
2nd PrizeWilfredo Farrales SarangayaBalong Batsit, ang Bidang Bulilit at Bayaning Bulinggit
3rd PrizeBenedick N. DamasoMirasol para kay Lola Sol
SANAYSAY 
1st PrizeVenice Kayla Dacanay DelicaKung Magkapalad Ka’t Mangmang
2nd PrizeJhon Lester P. SandiganTatlong Pancit Canton
3rd PrizeNathaniel R. AlcantaraIsang Dekadang Kontrata sa Piling ng mga Mikrobyo
TULA 
1st PrizeRalph Lorenz G. Fonte, M.D.Uyayi ng mga Patay na Buwan
2nd PrizeEnrique S. VillasisPintula
3rd PrizeSonny C. SendonMga Anino sa Guho at iba pang mga tula
TULA PARA SA MGA BATA 
1st PrizeChristian R. VallezTula, Tula, Paano ka Ginawa?
2nd PrizeRebecca T. AnonuevoAle Bangbang
3rd PrizeNinia H. dela CruzMga Pahina sa Alaala ng Nanay
DULANG MAY ISANG YUGTO 
1st PrizeAndrew Bonifacio L. CletePunks Not Dead
2nd PrizeLayeta P. BucoyDance of the Foolies
3rd PrizeRyan MachadoHuling Haraya nina Ischia at Emeteria
DULANG GANAP ANG HABA 
1st PrizeJoshua Lim SoMga Silid ng Unos:  Tomo Uno
2nd PrizeRodolfo C. VeraAnak Datu
3rd PrizeSteven Prince C. FernandezBadung
DULANG PAMPELIKULA 
1st PrizeAvelino Mark C. Balmes, Jr.Amoy Pulbos
2nd PrizeNoreen Besmar CapiliDOS
3rd PrizeEhdison M. DimenAng Pananalangin sa Getsemani

REGIONAL DIVISION

SHORT STORY-CEBUANO
1st PrizeNoel P. TuazonBarang
2nd PrizeManu AvenidoIkigai
3rd PrizeJanuar E. YapJohn Wayne ug ang Goldfish kong Inahan
SHORT STORY-HILIGAYNON 
1st PrizePeter Solis NeryAng Macatol Kag Ang “Queen of Relief”
2nd PrizeEarly Sol A. GadongMalipayon nga Katapusan
3rd PrizeRitchie D. PagunsanEsperanza
SHORT STORY-ILOKANO 
1st PrizeOswald Ancheta ValenteTi Kimat Ken Ti Silag
2nd PrizeRemedios S. Tabelisma-AguillonTi Ubing
3rd PrizeRodolfo D. Agatep Jr.Karton

ENGLISH DIVISION

SHORT STORY
1st PrizeIan Rosales CasocotCeferina in Apartment 2G
2nd PrizeExie AbolaArdor
3rd PrizeHammed BolotaoloThe Money Changer
SHORT STORY FOR CHILDREN
1st PrizeNO WINNER
2nd PrizeElyrah L. Salanga-TorralbaCloud Keeper
3rd PrizeHeather Ann Ferrer PulidoMy Grandma who lives in Half a House
ESSAY  
1st PrizeAlfonso Tomas P. AraulloLetter from Tawi-Tawi
2nd PrizeMichaela Sarah De LeonFilipino Millennial Monomyth
3rd PrizeAlexandra Francesca A. BicharaThe Helmsman’s Daughter
POETRY 
1st PrizeRamil Digal GulleBol-anon Prodigal
2nd PrizeSoleil DavidA Few Dawns from now, A Sunfish
3rd PrizeLawrence Anthony R. BernabeThe Blueline
POETRY WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN 
1st PrizeElyrah L. Salanga-TorralbaAn Empty Chair in the Corner
2nd PrizePeter Solis NeryPicnic, Symphony and other concepts a 4th Grader needs to know
3rd PrizeNO WINNER
ONE-ACT PLAY 
1st PrizeRonald S. CovarThe Cave Dwellers
2nd PrizeBonifacio P. IlaganSalvaged Eman
3rd PrizeMaria Kristine B. Roxas-MillerAgencia Feliz
FULL-LENGTH PLAY 
1st PrizeLayeta P. BucoyOrgullo Compound
2nd PrizeJay Mariano Crisostomo IVBlack Bordello
3rd PrizeDustin Edward D. CelestinoThe 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)KhavnANTIMARCOS
Special Prize (Natatanging Gantimpala)Edgar Calabia SamarTeorya ng Unang Panahon

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