Palanca 2026 now accepting submissions

The novel and nobela categories are open this year.

Writers, it’s Palanca season all over again. The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature is now accepting entries for its 76th year.

According to contest rules, the Palanca Awards are open to all Filipino citizens and former Filipino citizens of any age—whether based locally or abroad—except for the foundation’s directors, officers, and employees.

Deadline is on June 30.

Here are this year’s categories:

• English – novel, short story, short story for children, essay, poetry, poetry written for children, one-act play, and full-length play
• Filipino – nobela, maikling kuwento, maikling kuwentong pambata, sanaysay, tula, tula para sa mga bata, dulang may isang yugto, dulang ganap ang haba, and dulang pampelikula
• Regional languages – short story Cebuano, short story-Hiligaynon, and short story-Ilokano
• Kabataan – essay (English) and sanaysay (Filipino)

The 2026 Palanca is also opening the novel and nobela, which are available every two years. For this year’s kabataan division, open to writers under 18, contestants must reflect on the following themes:

• English – As the world becomes more connected yet increasingly shaped by differing ideologies, beliefs, and perspectives, young people face the challenge of understanding the divisions around them and helping shape a more hopeful future. How can today’s youth rise above differences and become bridges of understanding, promote peaceful coexistence, and help build societies rooted in empathy, mutual respect, and collective progress?
• Filipino – Habang ang daigdig ay lalong nagiging magkakaugnay, patuloy din itong hinuhubog ng magkakaibang ideolohiya, paniniwala, at pananaw. Nahaharap ang mga kabataan sa mga pagsubok na unawain ang mga pagkakawatak-watak o paghahati-hati sa lipunan, habang nagsisikap na makabuo ng isang bukas na puno ng pag-asa. Paano makaaahon ang mga kabataan sa ganitong kalagayan? Paano sila magsisilbing tulay ng pagkakaunawaan, magtataguyod ng mapayapang pakikipamuhay, at makatutulong sa pagbuo ng isang lipunang nakaugat sa malasakit sa kapwa, respeto sa isa’t isa, at sama-samang pag-unlad?

Submissions may include unpublished or unproduced works between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. The novel and nobela’s window of publication must be between June 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026. For dulang pampelikula, only unproduced works are allowed.

Entries must be completed via the revamped Palanca website at http://www.palancaawards.com.ph/. It won’t accept printed and email submissions.

 

 

The contest is open to all Filipino citizens of any age anywhere—except for the foundation’s directors, officers, and employees.

 

 

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