The country’s most prestigious literary competition, the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, is calling on Filipino writers across various genres to submit their best works for its 73rd edition.
Often penned as the Philippine equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize, The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (shortened to the “Palanca Awards”), has recognized some of the country’s most innovative and influential voices since The Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. established it in 1950—a way of commemorating its namesake, businessman and philanthropist Don Carlos Palanca, Sr., whose primary advocacy was promoting education and culture.
When the competition first opened, it began calling for short stories in English or Filipino. However, over the years, it has since expanded its categories to include submissions for poetry, plays, and essays. The Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. is once again opening its call for submissions, officially accepting entries to its 73rd Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.
The competition invites all Filipino citizens or former Filipino citizens of all ages—whether based locally or abroad—to participate.
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Categories Of The Palanca Awards
Interested authors are allowed to submit only one (1) entry per category under the following divisions:
English Division
– Short Story
– Short Story for Children
– Essay
– Poetry
– Poetry Written for Children
– One-act Play
– Full-length Play
Filipino Division
– Maikling Kuwento
– Maikling Kuwentong Pambata
– Sanaysay
– Tula
– Tula Para sa mga Bata
– Dulang May Isang Yugto
– Dulang Ganap ang Haba
– Dulang Pampelikula
Regional Languages Division
– Short Story-Cebuano
– Short Story-Hiligaynon
– Short Story-Ilokano
Kabataan Division*
– Kabataan Essay (English)
– Kabataan Sanaysay (Filipino)
The Kabataan Division, dedicated to young writers under 18 years old, is also now accepting submissions in its two categories. Entries should consist of informal, personal essays on the theme: “AI is rapidly transforming daily life, revolutionizing how we learn, analyze information, and solve problems. How can I effectively use AI to enhance learning while maintaining personal responsibility, independent thought, and ethical integrity?” for Kabataan Essay (English).
Kabataan Sanaysay maintains the same theme, expressed in Filipino: “Mabilis na binabago ng AI ang pang-araw-araw na buhay, binabago ang paraan ng ating pag-aaral, pagsusuri ng impormasyon, at paglutas ng mga suliranin. Paano ko epektibong magagamit ang AI upang mas mapahusay ang pag-aaral habang pinapanatili ang personal na responsibilidad, malayang pag-iisip, at integridad sa etika?”
How To Submit
Submissions must be done online through the Palanca Awards website at https://www.palancaawards.com.ph/. The Carlos Palanca Foundation will not accept printed or email submissions for any categories. The deadline for submission of entries is on June 30, 2025.
Works eligible for the contest include those that were first published or produced between June 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, as well as unpublished or unproduced works. For the “Dulang Pampelikula” category, only unproduced works are eligible. Entries that have received a prize in another contest before midnight of June 30, 2025 are not qualified.
For the official contest rules and forms, visit the Palanca Awards website. Inquiries and other concerns may be directed via email at [email protected]; or landline at (02) 8478 7996 (look for Ms. Ester Alfaro). You may also call or leave a message at this mobile number 0917 828 2762 (0917 828 CPMA) to ensure that your inquiry is acknowledged and addressed in a timely manner.
All winners will be honored in a special ceremony later this year. Stay tuned for further announcements by following the CPMA website and CPMA Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/palancaawards/.
