54 writers, 36 of whom are first-timers, win 2025 Palanca Awards

This year didn’t open to the novel and nobela categories, which are available every two years.

A total of 2,359 entries were submitted this year.

This year’s Gawad Dangal ng Lahi is Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, a poet, playwright, translator, and educator who was the first woman to be inducted into the Palanca Hall of Fame in 1995. Gawad Dangal ng Lahi is a special citation given to those “who have contributed immensely to the development of Philippine literature and have aptly become role models for Filipinos.”

In granting Mabanglo the award, Palanca said she championed women’s voices and social justice, inspiring generations through her award-winning works and decades of mentorship.

In her acceptance speech, Mabanglo reflected on the Martial Law, which she said made her lose her job as a journalist but prompted her to write literary pieces. Since then, she has had an illustrious career in the academe and in the writing world.

She also looked back into her rather traumatic childhood, marked by her adoption as her parents separated early. She also recalled several instances of harassment she has faced as a woman. 

“Nais kong mahagip ang presisyon ng paglalarawan… ng kirot at lugod, at, kung di man, ang ilusyon ng mga ito,” she said. “Madalas hanapin ni Elynia si Elynia.”

Winners took home medals and certificates, as well as thousands of pesos in cash prizes.

The Palanca is celebrating its diamond jubilee, with businessman and philanthropist Don Carlos Palanca Sr. establishing the awards in 1950 to honor literary writers, understanding that one “cannot build a nation without supporting the people who are able to build national identity and pride, the artists and writers who ultimately touch hearts and minds.”

In her speech, Carlos Palanca Foundation Inc. Vice President Criselda “Dang” Cecilio-Palanca said 75 years of a “hallowed tradition can only spur the Filipino writer to be as courageous in determining new ways to chart inventive paths for the attainment of literary fulfillment and authenticity.”

“In having to forge literature that keeps in step with the times, we rely on creativity that relies on fresh imagination. And we must remain confident that it remains as progressive as heroic efforts to do battle with the illusions and conflicts and complexities that lie ahead,” Cecilio-Palanca said.

“Given this resolve, we should look forward to completing a century of welcoming first-time winners in this yearly competition, for whom this special rite of passage will be of memorable significance,” she continued.

“Repeat winners will always be welcome, of course, no matter which generation they may represent. After all, the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature hopes to continue to be a timeless fount of opportunity, positive expectation, and generous harmony among torchbearers of succeeding generations,” she added.

The Palanca is the longest-running literary competition in the country. 

Awarding ceremonies were traditionally held on Sept. 1, Palanca Sr.’s birth anniversary, but have been held on other days recently.

The first set of awards was handed out in 1951. It was put on hold in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the award’s inception, over 2,600 Filipino writers have won the Palanca, with over two dozen of them inducted into the hall of fame.

Check out the complete list of winners in each category below.

KABATAAN DIVISION

KABATAAN SANAYSAY

• First Prize – Joshua Manio, “Tamang Pagluto ng Sinigang”
• Second Prize – Jhanna Louise Amado, “Enter Prompt: Ma, Sorry Po!”
• Third Prize – Euna Oraiz, “Suki Ako ng Pagod”

KABATAAN ESSAY

• First Prize – John Carl Guardian, “The Salt Sermon”
• Second Prize – Charisse Mae Gonzalo, “Everything is Made Up”
• Third Prize – Celestin Nicole Facistol, “Ctrl + V? No Thanks”

FILIPINO DIVISION

MAIKLING KUWENTO

• First Prize – Lee Joseph Castel, “Isang Kahong Casette Tapes”
• Second Prize – Gilbert Baldoza, “Myrna, Aso”
• Third Prize – Ronaldo Vivo Jr., “Ang Ilusyon sa Kulay ng Ating Budhi”

MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAMBATA

• First Prize – Elyrah Loyola Salanga-Torralba, “Ginoong Buwan”
• Second Prize – Genaro Gojo Cruz, “Problema Ko Si Nanay”
• Third Prize – Dawn Gabriela Emmanuele Dela Rosa, “Si Tala Sa Mahiwagang Pila Ng Jeep”

SANAYSAY

• First Prize – John Brixter Tino, “Ari”
• Second Prize – Filliffe Rae Anthonie Anorico, “Si Richard Gappi at Ako”
• Third Prize – Angela Cabanes, “Ang Apat Kong Ina”

TULA

• First Prize – Ronald Atilano, “Paghimbing sa Templo”
• Second Prize – Alvin Ursua, “Guho”
• Third Prize – Karl Isaac Santos, “Doomsaying”

TULA PARA SA MGA BATA

• First Prize – Christopher Rosales, “Mga Minatamis na Taludtod”
• Second Prize – Genaro Gojo Cruz, “Unang Tibok ng Pusong Musmos”
• Third Prize – Klara Domagtoy Espedido, “Ang Salita ay Isang Ugat”

DULANG MAY ISANG YUGTO

• First Prize – Aldrine Anzures, “Anino ng Pagtubos”
• Second Prize – Dustin Edward Celestino, “Elehiya”
• Third Prize – Rouchelle Dinglasan, “Dantay sa Patay”

DULANG GANAP ANG HABA

• Third Prize – Dustin Edward Celestino, “A.NI.MAL”

DULANG PAMPELIKULA

• First Prize – Christopher Cabahug, “Ang Birheng Ipinagkanulo”
• Second Prize – Rodolfo Vera, “Watsonville”
• Third Prize – Arjanmar Rebeta, “Mga Kalapating Matayog ang Lipad”

REGIONAL LANGUAGES DIVISION

SHORT STORY – CEBUANO

• First Prize – Jose Alenogene Limpangog, “Ang Kataposang Bato sa Isla Pangaea”
• Second Prize – CD Borden, “Unglo”
• Third Prize – Kenjiro Mitsui, “Samin”

SHORT STORY – HILIGAYNON

• First Prize – Keft Sina-On Sobredo, “Anaw”
• Second Prize – Rex Menard Cervales, “Binakol”
• Third Prize – Al Jeffrey Gonzales, “Bagat”

SHORT STORY – ILOKANO

• First Prize – Freddie Masuli, “Ni Inang Cion ken ti Panagur-urayna”
• Second Prize – Lito Hilidon, “Ti Bannuar Ti Bario Tabueng”
• Third Prize – Prudencio Padios, “Fireplace”

ENGLISH DIVISION

SHORT STORY

• First Prize – Al Ryanne Gatcho, “Goat”
• Second Prize – Enrico Miguel Perez, “Golgotha”
• Third Prize – Christopher Gabriel, “Milked For Milk”

SHORT STORY FOR CHILDREN

• First Prize – John Bryan Balolong, “Captain Crayon and the Doodle Pirates”
• Second Prize – Manuelita Contreras-Cabrera, “That’s What I Said”
• Third Prize – Bryan Mari Argos, “Kapid”

ESSAY

• First Prize – Joan Saga-Oc, “Echoes of Life in a Kalinga Village: Past and Present”
• Second Prize – Catherine Babao, “The Cemetery Playlist”
• Third Prize – Mark Alden Arcenal, “Autoethnography of a Hermit Crab”

POETRY

• First Prize – Jan Dennis Destajo, “Translocation”
• Second Prize – Alfonso Manalastas, “Strange, Black Silhouettes”
• Third Prize – Ryan Paul Caidic, “Exodus 15”

POETRY WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN

• First Prize – Cyne Jarvis Zarceno, “All The Worlds I Know”
• Second Prize – Junard Duterte, “Wonders in the Whirlwind: Poems to Make You Think, Dream, and Do”
• Third Prize – Salvacion Tandoc, “Words That Wiggle and Dance”

ONE-ACT PLAY

• First Prize – Russell Stanley Geronimo, “Repatriation”
• Second Prize – Nicolo Ricardo Magno, “The Field of Forgotten Dreams”
• Third Prize – Debbie Ann Tan, “One-Winged Butterfly”

FULL-LENGTH PLAY

• First Prize – Dustin Edward Celestino, “Fidelity”
• Second Prize – Rafael Paolo Jimenez, “LVNA”
• Third Prize – Salvacion Tandoc, “The President’s Therapist”

 

 

Palanca has over 2600 winners, at least two dozen hall of famers.

 

 

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