Former Education Secretary Raul Roco, this year’s guest of honor, was also conferred the Gawad Dangal ng Lahi citation by Carlos Palanca Foundation director general Sylvia Palanca-Quirino.
Norman Wilwayco’s entry, Kung Paano Ko Inayos Ang Buhok Ko Matapos Ang Mahaba-haba Ring Paglalakbay, and Vicente G. Groyon III’s The Sky Over Dimas won the grand prizes for the novel category in the Filipino and the English divisions.
This year’s first prize winners in the Filipino division are: Alvin Yapan (Apokalipsis) for futuristic fiction, Marco A.V. Lopez (Bukbok) for short story in Filipino, Genaro Gojo Cruz (Ang Lumang Aparador) for short story for children in Filipino, Luis Gatmaitan, M.D. (Tuwing Miyerkules) for essay, Margaret Garcia (Kabataang Mandirigma) for youth essay, Roberto Añonuevo (Estalon at Iba Pang Simoy ng Bait) for Filipino poetry, Nathaniel Joseph de Mesa (subTEXT) for one-act play in Filipino, Liza C. Magtoto (Agnoia) for full-length play, Vincent Kua (Shashin Lullabye) for teleplay in Filipino, and Michael Angelo Dagñalan (Isnats) for screenplay in Filipino.
First prize winners in the English division are Raissa Claire Rivera (Virtual Center) for futuristic fiction, Socorro Villanueva (We Won’t Cry Over This) for short story, Luis Joaquin Katigbak (Mico and Friends) for short story for children, Melba Padilla Maggay (Death and Early Sorrow) for essay, Enrico Miguel Subido (Waging War for Humanity: The Battle for Peace) for youth essay, and Paolo Manalo (Jolography) for poetry.
Other first prize winners in the short story category are Rolando Salvaña (Libat) for Cebuano, Alice Tan Gonzales (Sa Taguangkan Sang Duta) for Hiligaynon, and Lorenzo Tabin (Puon) for Iluko.
Completing the list of winners are:
3rd prize - Jimmuel Naval (Mr. Doily).
3rd prize - Pat Villafuerte (Huling Hiling, Hinaing at Halinghing ni Hermano Huseng).
3rd prize - Enrico Torralba (Ang Ama ni Pando).
3rd prize - Michael Coroza (Si Nanay, Si Lolo Ceferino, Ang Lira, at Si Eliot o Ang Henesis ng Aking Pananaludtod).
3rd prize - Ivan D.J. Josue (Mangarap Ka Nang Gising).
3rd prize - Jerry Arcega-Gracio (Sinaunang Pag-Ibig Sa Apoy).
3rd prize - Salvador Biglaen (Ang Bayani ng Hannaga).
3rd prize - Edward Perez (Teatro Porvenir).
3rd prize - Lynda Casimiro (Suspect).
3rd prize - Agustin Del Mundo Sugatan Jr. (Fish Crackers).
3rd prize - Baryon Tensor Posadas (Mall).
3rd prize - Edgar Maranan (Doomsday).
3rd prize - Herbeth Fondevilla (The Peace Crane).
3rd prize - Noel Pingoy, M.D. (Becoming a Hematologist).
3rd prize - Patricia Nicole Golez (World Peace In My Own Little Way, Bow).
3rd prize - Mariano Kilates (Things of Light).
3rd prize - Hans Leo Cacdac (Choosers of the Slain).
3rd prize - Christopher Gozum (The Pasyon of Pedro Calosa and the Tayug Colorum Uprising of 1931).
3rd prize - Ernesto Lariosa (Sakdapanay).
3rd prize - John Iremil Teodoro (Anghel Sang Capiz).
3rd prize - Eden Aquino Alviar (Salmo).
The Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature was established in 1950 in honor of Don Carlos Palanca Sr., a self-educated businessman and patron of educational institutions.