Palanca Awards celebrates Diamond Jubilee of honoring Filipino writers

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75 years of storytelling, one enduring legacy


The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (Palanca Awards) has set a new benchmark with the celebration of its Diamond Jubilee.


For 75 years since the first awards were conferred in 1951, the Palanca Awards has upheld tradition and was steadfast in its mission to cultivate Philippine literature by recognizing Filipino scribes and their stories that helped shape the nation.


Tonight’s winners span across 20 writing categories in four divisions, namely, Kabataan, English, Filipino, and Regional Languages. The event honored 54 awardees, including 36 new winners, following a meticulous assessment by a panel of respected literary luminaries.


Gracing the night as Guest of Honor/Speaker and Gawad Dangal ng Lahi awardee was Professor Emeritus Dr. Ruth Elynia D. Mabanglo. A poet, playwright, translator, and educator, she has uplifted women’s voices and social justice through award-winning works and decades of mentorship. In 1995, she became the first woman inducted into the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature Hall of Fame. Her published works include “Anyaya ng Imperyalista,” “Gahasa at Iba Pang Tula,” and “Balada ni Lola Amonita” and “The Ballad of Lola Amonita” in Babaylan: An Anthology of Filipina and Filipina American Writers.


The longest-running and most prestigious literary competition in the Philippines, the Palanca Awards was established to commemorate the legacy of Carlos Palanca Sr. by promoting education and culture in the country. Filipino authors here and abroad consider it a great honor to receive a Palanca medal or recognition.


Following is the list of winners:

KABATAAN DIVISION

KABATAAN SANAYSAY 

1st Prize

Joshua P. Manio

Tamang Pagluto ng Sinigang

2nd Prize

Jhanna Louise C. Amado

Enter Prompt: Ma, Sorry Po!

3rd Prize

Euna P. Oraiz

Suki Ako ng Pagod

KABATAAN ESSAY 

1st Prize

John Carl Ll. Guardian

The Salt Sermon

2nd Prize

Charisse Mae M. Gonzalo

Everything is Made Up

3rd Prize

Celestin Nicole R. Facistol

Ctrl + V? No Thanks

FILIPINO DIVISION

MAIKLING KUWENTO 

1st Prize

Lee Joseph M. Castel

Isang Kahong Cassette Tapes

2nd Prize

Gilbert M. Baldoza

Myrna, Aso

3rd Prize

Ronaldo S. Vivo Jr.

Ang Ilusyon a Kulay ng Ating Budhi

MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAMBATA 

1st Prize

Elyrah Loyola Salanga-Torralba

Ginoong Buwan

2nd Prize

Genaro R. Gojo Cruz

Problema Ko Si Nanay

3rd Prize

Dawn Gabriela Emmanuele G. Dela Rosa

Si Tala Sa Mahiwagang Pila Ng Jeep

SANAYSAY 

1st Prize

John Brixter M. Tino

Ari

2nd Prize

Filliffe Rae Anthonie C. Anorico

Si Richard Gappi at Ako

3rd Prize

Angela Cabanes

Ang Apat Kong Ina

TULA 

1st Prize

Ronald A. Atilano

Paghimbing sa Templo

2nd Prize

Alvin C. Ursua

Guho

3rd Prize

Karl Isaac M. Santos

Doomsaying

TULA PARA SA MGA BATA 

1st Prize

Christopher S. Rosales

Mga Minatamis na Taludtod

2nd Prize

Genaro R. Gojo Cruz

Unang Tibok ng Pusong Musmos

3rd Prize

Klara Domagtoy Espedido

Ang Salita ay Isang Ugat

DULANG MAY ISANG YUGTO 

1st Prize

Aldrine F. Anzures

Anino ng Pagtubos

2nd Prize

Dustin Edward D. Celestino

Elehiya

3rd Prize

Rouchelle Dinglasan

Dantay sa Patay

DULANG GANAP ANG HABA 

1st Prize

NO WINNER


2nd Prize

NO WINNER


3rd Prize

Dustin Edward D. Celestino

A.NI.MAL

DULANG PAMPELIKULA 

1st Prize

Christopher T. Cabahug

Ang Birheng Ipinagkanulo

2nd Prize

Rodolfo C. Vera

Watsonville

3rd Prize

Arjanmar H. Rebeta

Mga Kalapating Matayog ang Lipad

REGIONAL LANGUAGES DIVISION

SHORT STORY-CEBUANO

1st Prize

Jose Alenogene I. Limpangog

Ang Kataposang Bato sa Isla Pangaea

2nd Prize

CD L. Borden 

Unglo

3rd Prize

Kenjiro P. Mitsui

Samin

SHORT STORY-HILIGAYNON 

1st Prize

Keft Sina-On Sobredo

Anaw

2nd Prize

Rex Menard L. Cervales

Binakol

3rd Prize

Al Jeffrey L. Gonzales

Bagat

SHORT STORY-ILOKANO 

1st Prize

Freddie P. Masuli

Ni Inang Cion ken ti Panagur-urayna

2nd Prize

Lito P. Hilidon

Ti Bannuar Ti Bario Tabueng

3rd Prize

Prudencio G. Padios

Fireplace

ENGLISH DIVISION 

SHORT STORY

1st Prize

Al Ryanne G. Gatcho

Goat

2nd Prize

Enrico Miguel Perez 

Golgotha

3rd Prize

Christopher D. Gabriel

Milked For Milk

SHORT STORY FOR CHILDREN

1st Prize

John Bryan R. Balolong

Captain Crayon and the Doodle Pirates

2nd Prize

Manuelita Contreras-Cabrera

That's What I Said

3rd Prize

Bryan Mari J. Argos

Kapid

ESSAY  

1st Prize

Joan D. Saga-Oc

Echoes of Life in a Kalinga Village: Past and Present

2nd Prize

Catherine S. Babao

The Cemetery Playlist

3rd Prize

Mark Alden Arcenal

Autoethnography of a Hermit Crab

POETRY 

1st Prize

Jan Dennis S. Destajo

Translocation

2nd Prize

Alfonso G. Manalastas

Strange, Black Silhouettes

3rd Prize

Ryan Paul T. Caidic

Exodus 15

POETRY WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN 

1st Prize

Cyne Jarvis J. Zarceno

All The Worlds I Know

2nd Prize

Junard P. Duterte

Wonders In The Whirlwind: Poems to Make You Think, Dream, and Do

3rd Prize

Salvacion D. Tandoc

Words That Wiggle and Dance

ONE-ACT PLAY 

1st Prize

Russell Stanley Q. Geronimo

Repatriation

2nd Prize

Nicolo Ricardo C. Magno

The Field of Forgotten Dreams

3rd Prize

Debbie Ann L. Tan

One-Winged Butterfly

FULL-LENGTH PLAY 

1st Prize

Dustin Edward D. Celestino

Fidelity

2nd Prize

Rafael Paolo D. Jimenez

LVNA

3rd Prize

Salvacion D. Tandoc

The President's Therapist



The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature Diamond Jubilee celebration by the number

Total number of entries

2,359

Number of categories 

20

Total number of judges

57

Total number of winning works 

58

Total number of winners 

54

New winners 

36

Former winners 

18

Male winners

41

Female winners

13

Age breakdown


20 and under

8

21-30

13

31-40

15

41-50

9

51-60

8

61 and above

1

Note: The youngest winner for this year’s contest is a 15-year-old female; the oldest winner is a 64-year-old male.



Total number of winners (authors) from 1951-2025

2,634

Total number of winning works from 1951-2025

2,735

Total number of Hall of Fame winners (as of 2025)

30


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