The country’s most prestigious literary competition is once again calling on Filipino writers to submit works across fiction, poetry, essays, plays, and regional literature until June 30, 2026.
The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature—the country’s most prestigious literary competition—is once again calling for submissions for its 76th edition. The Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. has officially opened entries, inviting Filipino writers from around the world to submit their works across a wide range of categories and languages.
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What Is The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards?
Open to Filipino citizens and former Filipino citizens of all ages, whether based locally or abroad, the annual awards continue their longstanding tradition of recognizing excellence in Philippine literature. Writers may submit only one (1) entry per category, under the following:
- Novel and Nobela
- English Division: Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry Written for Children, One-act Play, and 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, and Dulang Pampelikula
- Regional Languages Division: Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon, and Short Story-Ilokano;
- Kabataan Division (open to writers under 18 years old): Kabataan Essay (English) and Kabataan Sanaysay (Filipino)
This Year’s Themes For The Kabataan Division
This year’s Kabataan categories ask young writers to reflect on particularly urgent questions in the current milieu.
Entries must be informal, personal essays on the theme: “As the world becomes more connected yet increasingly shaped by differing ideologies, beliefs, and perspectives, young people face the challenge of understanding the divisions around them and helping shape a more hopeful future. How can today’s youth rise above differences and become bridges of understanding, promote peaceful coexistence, and help build societies rooted in empathy, mutual respect, and collective progress?” for Kabataan Essay (English).
For Kabataan Sanaysay (Filipino), this is phrased as: “Habang ang daigdig ay lalong nagiging magkakaugnay, patuloy din itong hinuhubog ng magkakaibang ideolohiya, paniniwala, at pananaw. Nahaharap ang mga kabataan sa mga pagsubok na unawain ang mga pagkakawatak-watak o paghahati-hati sa lipunan, habang nagsisikap na makabuo ng isang bukas na puno ng pag-asa. Paano makaaahon ang mga kabataan sa ganitong kalagayan? Paano sila magsisilbing tulay ng pagkakaunawaan, magtataguyod ng mapayapang pakikipamuhay, at makatutulong sa pagbuo ng isang lipunang nakaugat sa malasakit sa kapwa, respeto sa isa’t isa, at sama-samang pag-unlad?”
Eligibility Requirements For The 76th Palanca Awards
Eligible works include those first published or produced between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, alongside unpublished or unproduced pieces. For the Novel and Nobela categories, which open every other year, published works are accepted provided they were first released between June 1, 2024 and June 30, 2026.
Meanwhile, only unproduced works may be entered under the Dulang Pampelikula category. Any work that has already received a prize in another competition before midnight of June 30, 2026 will not be considered eligible.
All submissions must be completed online through the official Palanca Awards website. Printed and email submissions will not be accepted. The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2026. Winners will be honored in a special ceremony later this year.
For official rules, forms, and additional information, interested participants may visit the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature Facebook page or direct inquiries to [email protected]. Inquiries and other concerns may be directed via email at [email protected], or landline at +632 8478 7996 (look for Ms. Ester Alfaro). You may also call or leave a message at this mobile number +63917 828 2762 (+63917 828 CPMA), to ensure that your inquiry is acknowledged and addressed on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature is considered the country’s most prestigious literary competition, recognizing excellence in Philippine literature across fiction, poetry, essays, plays, screenwriting, and regional language writing. Organized by the Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc., the awards are open to Filipino citizens and former Filipino citizens living both locally and abroad.
The 76th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature is open to writers of all ages, with a special Kabataan Division for participants under 18 years old. Categories include Novel and Nobela, English and Filipino divisions for short stories, poetry, essays, and plays, as well as regional language categories for Cebuano, Hiligaynon, and Ilokano short stories. Writers may submit only one entry per category.
The deadline for submissions to the 76th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature is June 30, 2026. All entries must be submitted online through the official Palanca Awards website. Printed and email submissions will not be accepted.
Writers are permitted to submit only one entry per category across the entire competition. Furthermore, to maintain strict eligibility, any literary work that has already won a prize or recognition in another contest before midnight of June 30, 2026, will be automatically disqualified from consideration.
For official rules, forms, or submission help, participants can email the foundation at [email protected] or visit their official Facebook page. Direct inquiries can also be made by calling landline +632 8478 7996 to speak with Ms. Ester Alfaro, or by messaging mobile number +63917 828 2762.
