Palanca Awards calls for entries to 67th edition

Do you have ideas or drafts of a novel, short story, poem, essay or play stored in your mind or computer somewhere? If so, you may want to start writing or polishing them now, for the Carlos Palanca Foundation Inc. is calling for entries to the 67th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. 

For this year, there are 20 regular categories classified in three divisions. In the English division, the categories are the Novel, Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry Written for Children, One-act Play, and Full-length Play.

The Filipino division has the same categories as its English counterpart— Nobela, Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata, Sanaysay, Tula, Tulang Para sa mga Bata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, and Dulang Ganap ang Haba— plus Dulang Pampelikula.

In the Regional Languages division, there are only three: Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon, and Short Story-Ilokano.

Writers younger than 18 years old may also join the contest through its Kabataan Division. Its categories are Kabataan Essay and Kabataan Sanaysay. Both have the same theme: “How can the youth contribute to building interest in Philippine culture and literature (Paano makakaambag ang mga kabataan sa pagsulong ng interes sa kultura at panitikang Pilipino)?”

The contest is open to all Filipino or former Filipino citizens of all ages, except the current directors, officers, and employees of the Palanca Foundation. Works that were first published or produced between May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017, as well as unpublished or unproduced works, may be entered. Contestants can submit only one entry to each category.

The deadline of submission is on April 30, 2017. The winners will be formally recognized at an awarding ceremony on September 1.

Established in 1950 to honor the late businessman and philathropist Don Carlos Palanca Sr., the Palanca Awards aims to continue developing Philippine literature by providing incentives to writers and serving as a repository of the country’s literary treasures for future generations.

This literary competition is regarded as the most prestigious of its kind in the country, and is often referred to as our counterpart of the United States’ Pulitzer Prize.

Many acclaimed Filipino writers have won in the competition. These include National Artists for Literature Nick Joaquin, Francisco Arcellana, N.V.M. Gonzalez, F. Sionil José, Edith L. Tiempo, Rolando Tinio, Virgilio Almario, Bienvenido Lumbera, and Cirilo F. Bautista.

For official contest rules and forms, visit the Palanca Foundation office at Unit 603, 6th Floor Park Trade Centre Bldg., 1716 Investment Drive, Madrigal Business Park, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City, or at Unit 3G, OPL Bldg., 100 C. Palanca St., Legaspi Village, Makati City, or download them from www.palancaawards.com.ph.

For inquiries and other concerns, call CPMA Administrator Ms. Leslie Layoso at (632) 511- 0003 or 09108878552, or send an e-mail to cpawards@palancaawards.com.ph.