Fifty-one names, 23 of which were first-time awardees, emerged as this year’s batch of winners. There were also four contenders who each took home prizes in two separate categories. The bi-annual Novel and Nobela were open this year, bringing the total number of categories to 22. The Awards’ organizer and sponsor, Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc., handpicked an elite roster of literary personalities to evaluate the submissions.
This year’s awarding ceremony had as speaker and guest of honor decorated writer and professor Dr. Jose “Butch” Y. Dalisay, Jr.It was a homecoming of sorts for Dalisay, himself a 16-time Palanca awardee and a Hall of Famer at that. Dalisay was conferred the Gawad Dangal ng Lahi for his contributions to the literary scene, including books of his stories, plays, and essays, screenplays, and biographies.
Named after businessman and philanthropist Don Carlos Palanca, Sr., the Palanca Awards continuously seeks to cultivate Philippine Literature by rewarding writers. It also serves as a treasury of these Philippine literary gems. It is considered the gold standard in writing excellence, coveted by Filipino writers, young and old alike.
Following is the list of winners of the 67th Palanca Awards:
KABATAAN DIVISION
KABATAAN SANAYSAY
1st Prize NO WINNER
2nd Prize Carmel Joy F. Vergara Patlang
3rd Prize Robyn Therese V. Jocom Sungkitin Pabalik ang Nakalipas
KABATAAN ESSAY
1st Prize Alpheus Matthew D. Llantero The Adventure of an Alien and the Matalino Kid
2nd Prize Pauline Sherice Wee Culture Redefined
3rd Prize Marielle Fatima B. Tuazon The Pursuit of Lucidity
FILIPINO DIVISION
MAIKLING KUWENTO
1st Prize Andrian M. Legaspi Sa Pagitan ng Sabaw ng Chaolong at Hilab ng Tiyan
2nd Prize Valentine Dula Patintero
3rd Prize Nicko M. de Guzman Troll
MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAMBATA
1st Prize Maryrose Jairene Cruz-Eusebio Ang Patay-gutom
2nd Prize Josel Luigi F. Creencia Lato’t Ginto
3rd Prize Cheeno Marlo M. Sayuno Si Tiya Salome
SANAYSAY
1st Prize Eugene Y. Evasco Ang Mapa ng Taglagas sa Aking Maleta
2nd Prize Will P. Ortiz Sisid
3rd Prize Mubarak M. Tahir Aden Bon Besen Uyag-Uyag (May Buhay Pa Pala)
TULA
1st Prize Christian R. Vallez Sa Pagitan ng Banal at Karnal
2nd Prize Jason G. Tabinas Na Inyong Ikinalulunod
3rd Prize Rogelio Dela Rosa Jr. Tanghod at iba pang Paghihintay
TULA PARA SA MGA BATA
1st Prize John Vincent J. Bucal Muwang ng Musmos
2nd Prize Errol A. Merquita Tagulilong: Ang mga Nawawala
3rd Prize Paterno B. Baloloy, Jr. Agam-Agam ng Langgam
DULANG MAY ISANG YUGTO
1st Prize Eljay Castro Deldoc Pilipinas Kong Mahal With All the Overcoat
2nd Prize Rodolfo Carlos Vera Indigo Child
3rd Prize Dominique Beatrice T. La Victoria Ang Bata Sa Drum
DULANG GANAP ANG HABA
1st Prize Dustin Edward D. Celestino Ang Pangahas na si Pepe Rodriguez
2nd Prize Joshua L. Lim So Araw-araw, Gabi-gabi
3rd Prize Vincent A. De Jesus Changing Partners
DULANG PAMPELIKULA
1st Prize Rodolfo Carlos Vera Ang Aking Juan Luna
2nd Prize Kristian Sendon Cordero Kulto ni Santiago
3rd Prize Avelino Mark C. Balmes, Jr. Pablo Ocampo Extension
REGIONAL DIVISION
SHORT STORY – CEBUANO
1st Prize Jondy M. Arpilleda Bunok
2nd Prize Manuel M. Avenido, Jr. Panagtigi
3rd Prize Errol A. Merquita Aninipot
SHORT STORY – HILIGAYNON
1st Prize Jesus C. Insilada, Ed.D. Tinuom
2nd Prize Peter Solis Nery Ang Milagro sa Ermita
3rd Prize Leonard Francis M. Alcoran Ang Itlog nga wala Nagabalibad
SHORT STORY – ILOKANO
1st Prize Ronelyn Ramones Ti Lubong ni Anastasia
2nd Prize Lilia Quindoza Santiago, Ph.D. Siak Ti Interpreteryo
3rd Prize Ariel Sotelo Tabag Dado
ENGLISH DIVISION
SHORT STORY
1st Prize John Bengan Disguise
2nd Prize Katrina Guiang Gomez Misericordia
3rd Prize Joe Bert Lazarte Don’t Blink
SHORT STORY FOR CHILDREN
1st Prize NO WINNER
2nd Prize NO WINNER
3rd Prize NO WINNER
ESSAY
1st Prize Michelle Josephine G. Rivera In My Father’s Kitchen
2nd Prize Paul Gideon D. Lasco The Art of “Hugot” in our Republic of “Sawi”
3rd Prize Jade Mark B. Capiñanes A Portrait of a Young Man as a Banak
POETRY
1st Prize Noelle Leslie dela Cruz Sisyphus on the Penrose Stairs: Meta-Reveries
2nd Prize Rodrigo V. Dela Peña Jr. Blood Compact
3rd Prize Hurjay Medilo Elegy for a Dying World
POETRY WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN
1st Prize Cynthia Baculi-Condez From Dawn to Dusk
2nd Prize Patricia Celina A. Ngo Magical Mall of Mysteries
3rd Prize Ma. Amparo N. Warren Animal Songs/Just So Poems
ONE-ACT PLAY
1st Prize NO WINNER
2nd Prize NO WINNER
3rd Prize Joshua L. Lim So Sa Syquia, Malate, Kabanata II: Letting The Days Go By
FULL-LENGTH PLAY
1st Prize Dustin Edward D. Celestino The Story of This Father
2nd Prize Joachim Emilio B. Antonio exesanonymous.com
3rd Prize NO WINNER
GRAND PRIZES
NOBELA
Grand Prize Eros S. Atalia Ang Ikatlong Anti-Kristo
NOVEL