Now on its 63rd year, the country’s premier and longest-running literary contest, the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature or Palanca Awards, has once more opened its doors to both amateur and seasoned writers who wish to showcase their talent in crafting beautiful literature.
Its organizer and sponsor, the Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc., (Palanca Foundation), has announced that it is now accepting entries for the Awards’ regular categories, as follows:
- English Division – Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry for Children, One-act Play, and Full-length Play;
- Filipino Division – Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata, Sanaysay, Tula, Tulang Pambata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula;
- Regional Languages Division – Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon and Short Story-Iluko.
The Foundation is now accepting entries in the Novel and Nobela categories as well. Starting this year, these Novel categories will be opened for entries every two years.
Furthermore, to encourage the youth to hone their creative gift early in life, the Palanca Awards welcomes essays under the Kabataan Division – its special division for young writers below 17 years old. This year’s Kabataan Essay theme for the English category is “What is the Role of Literature in the Development of a Nation?” and “Ano ang Papel na Ginagampanan ng Panitikan sa Pag-unlad ng Isang Bansa?” for the Filipino category.
Contestants are reminded to submit their entries ahead of the deadline for submission, which is midnight of April 30, 2013. Each contestant may submit only one entry per category.
The literary contest is open to all Filipino (or former Filipino) citizens, except current officers and employees of Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. Contest rules and official entry forms are available at Palanca Awards’ official website, www.palancaawards.com.ph.
Entries with complete requirements may be submitted to the Foundation’s office at the 6th Floor, Unit 603 Park Trade Center Bldg. 1716 Investment Drive, Madrigal Business Park, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City or may also be entered online through the Palanca Awards website.