National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera (center) conferred with Palanca Awards Gawad Dangal ng Lahi

Genius deserves recognition, and for literary masterminds, there is no distinction quite as meaningful and coveted as the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. Now on its 59th year, the Carlos Palanca awards hails two new additions to its Hall of Fame. Prof. Reuel Molina Aguila and Prof. Eugene Evasco, with their entries “Ngunit Wala Akong Litrato Noong Nasa Kolehiyo Ako” and “May Tiyanak Sa Loob Ng Aking Bag” respectively, both garnered first place awards.

Personalities who graced the event included Ramon Sunico, Vim Nadera, Alfred Yuson, and the controversial National Artist awardee for 2009 Carlo J. Caparas. Sorely missed during the event was National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario. Rumors sparked that Almario’s absence was due to Caparas being a judge for the Dulang Pampelikula division.

Guests were treated to poetry reading by Mica Roi B. Torre and Richelle Ann S. Lim, as well as a short play entitled “Asunto” by Jose Dennis C. Teodosio, which earned 3rd place in the Dulang May Isang Yugto division. “Asunto” made audiences roar with laughter, especially with the witty quips and repartee from its main characters.

Criteria for judging this year included innovative storytelling and excellence in writing. “The Carlos Palanca awards is a stepping stone for most writers,” says Rebecca T. Añonuevo, judge for the Sanaysay division. She explains how young writers join the competition to get inside the prestigious literary circle, while older, veteran writers still join the competition as to validate their skills as writers.

For Michael M. Coroza, being a literary writer requires much learning and passion, and that includes attending literary workshops to further hone one’s craft. “With so many great writers nowadays, you can’t afford to be lax,” he says. It was his first time to join the Tulang Isinulat Para Sa Mga Bata division this year, and he won 3rd place. He also won 2nd place in the Maikling Kuwentong Pambata category.

For more information, please visit www.palancaawards.com.ph.

FILIPINO DIVISION

Dulang May Isang Yugto
1st – Layeta P. Bucoy (Doc Resureccion: Gagamutin ang Bayan)
2nd – Liza C. Magtoto (Paigan)
3rd- Jose Dennis C. Teodisio (Asunto)

Sanaysay
1st- Reuel Molina Aguila (Ngunit Wala Akong Litrato Noong Nasa Kolehiyo Ako)
2nd- Jing Panganiban-Mendoza (Kumander)
3rd- Domingo G. Landicho, Ph.D. (Kamay)

Tulang Isinulat Para Sa Mga Bata
1st – Eugene Y. Evasco (May Tiyanak sa Loob ng Aking Bag)
2nd- Jesus M. Santiago (Kuwentong Matanda, Bersong Bata)
3rd- Michael M. Coroza (Munting Daigdig ng Dalit ng Awit)

Kabataan Essay
1st – Axcel L. Trinidad (Si Ate Elsa, Si Aling Carmen, at Ako Laban sa mga Nangungunang Bansa sa Mundo)
2nd- Johanna Rose E. Calisin (Nagkakaisang Isip, Damdamin at Lakas)
3rd- Maya Victoria S. Rojas (Humabol Ka, Pilipino!)

Dulang Ganap Ang Haba
1st- Rodolfo C. Vera (Ismail at Isabel)
2nd- Reuel Molina Aguila (Sa Kanto ng Wakas at Katotohanan Ext.)
3rd- Sir Anril P. Tiatco (Miss Dulce Extranjera)

Maikling Kuwento
1st- No winner
2nd- Rogelio Braga (“MGA”)
3rd- Jimmuel C. Naval (Ang Kamatayan ng Isang Linggo)

Tula
1st- Reagan R. Maiquez (Ilang Sandali Makalipas ang Huling Araw ng Mundo)
2nd- Alwynn C. Javier (Yaong Pakpak na Binunot Sa Akin)
3rd- Charles B. Tuvilla (Sambutil na Daigdig sa Ilalim ng Pilik)

Maikling Kuwentong Pambata
1st- Genaro R. Gojo Cruz (Mahabang-mahabang-mahaba)
2nd- Michael M. Coroza (Ang Mga Kahon ni Kalon)
3rd- Milagros B. Gonzales (Ang Nanay Kong Lola)

Dulang Pampelikula
1st- Seymour Barros Sanchez and Christian M. Lacuesta (Hiwaga)
2nd- Jerry B. Gracio (Muli)
3rd- Enrique Ramos (Moonlight Over Baler)

ENGLISH DIVISION

Full-Length Play
1st- No winner
2nd- No winner
3rd- Floy C. Quintos (Fake)

One-Act Play
1st- No winner
2nd- No winner
3rd- Violet B. Lucasi (Balongao)

Kabataan Essay
1st- Cristina Gratia T. Tatengco (The Benefits of Selflessness)
2nd- Vincen Gregory Y. Yu (Dreams and Pastures)
3rd- Angelita A. Bombarda (On Being Filipino: A Citizen to the World)

Poetry
1st- Vincenz Serrano (The Collapse of What Separates Us)
2nd- Eliza A. Victoria (Reportage)
3rd- Mark Anthony R. Cayanan (Placelessness: Poems from a Series)

Poetry Written for Children
1st- Edgardo B. Maranan (The Google Song & Other Rhymes for Children)
2nd- Heidi Emily Eusebio Abad (Child of Earth Poems)
3rd- H. Francisco V. Penones Jr. (Turtle and Other Poems for Children)

Short Story
1st- Sigfredo R. Iñigo (Home of the Sierra Madre)
2nd- Anne Lagamayo (Mr. & Mrs. Reyes and the Polka-dotted Sofa)
3rd- Luis Katigbak (Dear Distance)

Short Story for Children
1st- Kathleen Aton-Osias (Apolinario and the Name Trader)
2nd- Edgardo B. Maranan (The Artist of the Cave)
3rd- Paolo Gabriel V. Chikiamco (Dear Mr. Supremo)

Essay
1st- Edgardo B. Maranan (A Passage Through the Storm)
2nd- Erlinda Enriquez Panlilio (Saying Goodbye to the House)
3rd- Maria Teresa P. Garcia (Sweet of the Earth)