Palanca Awards marks 75th year, honors 54 winners

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature celebrated its diamond jubilee, recognizing 54 writers across 20 categories in four divisions during its 75th anniversary rites on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

The country’s longest-running and most prestigious literary competition drew 2,359 entries this year, with 36 first-time winners joining 18 past awardees.

The event honored works in English, Filipino, Kabataan, and Regional Languages, following rigorous evaluation by 57 judges.

Guest of honor and Gawad Dangal ng Lahi awardee was Professor Emeritus Dr. Ruth Elynia D. Mabanglo, poet, playwright, translator, and educator.

Mabanglo, the first woman inducted into the Palanca Hall of Fame in 1995, was cited for championing women’s voices and social justice through her writings and mentorship.

Among the top winners were Al Ryanne G. Gatcho (Goat, English short story), Lee Joseph M. Castel (Isang Kahong Cassette Tapes, Filipino short story), Jose Alenogene I. Limpangog (Ang Kataposang Bato sa Isla Pangaea, Cebuano short story), and Jan Dennis S. Destajo (Translocation, English poetry).

In the Kabataan division, Joshua P. Manio Tamang won first prize for Pagluto ng Sinigang.

The awards, established in 1951 to honor Carlos Palanca Sr., have since recognized 2,634 authors and 2,735 winning works.

Thirty writers have been inducted into the Hall of Fame as of 2025.

“Thanks to the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature which opened many doors for me, the most consequential of which was to Hawaii.” -Dr. Ruth Elynia D. Mabanglo

The complete roster of winners across all divisions reflects the breadth and vitality of Philippine literature today.

This year’s awardees span generations, from a 15‑year‑old first‑time winner to a 64‑year‑old veteran, reflecting the breadth of Philippine literary talent.

Here is the complete list of awardees in the Kabataan, Filipino, English, and Regional Languages divisions, showcasing the diversity of voices that define Philippine literature.

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