The Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature is back; now accepting entries

The wait is finally over for poets and literary artists! After a two-year hiatus brought about by the global pandemic, the longest-running and most prestigious literary contest in the country is back and now accepting entries to the 70^th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (CPMA).

“We know that the past two years have been very challenging for everyone because of the pandemic. As we slowly get back on track and ease into the new normal, we believe the time is ripe to, once again, promote and celebrate Philippine literature and honor our literary artists,” says Administrative Manager Bernardita Ben, CPMA official spokesperson.

CPMA is now accepting submissions to its regular categories as follows:

• Novel and Nobela categories;
• 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, Tulang 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.

The special Kabataan Division for young writers below 18 years of age is also now open for entries in its two categories: English and Filipino. Submissions must be informal (personal) essays on the theme: “Life in the Midst of the Pandemic and Coping in the New Normal” (Kabataan Essay) and “Buhay sa Gitna ng Pandemya at Pagharap sa ‘New Normal’” (Kabataan Sanaysay).

The contest is open to all Filipino citizens or former Filipino citizens of all ages except current directors, officers, and employees of the Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. Authors who wish to join may submit only one (1) entry per category.

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES IS ON 31 MAY 2022.

All submissions must be DONE ONLINE. The Carlos Palanca Foundation WILL NOT ACCEPT PRINTED AND EMAIL submissions for all categories.

The official contest rules and forms are available at the Carlos Palanca Awards website http://www.palancaawards.com.ph/.

For further inquiries and other concerns, email [email protected] or call (632) 8843-8277 / (632) 8478-7996. Ask for Ms. Leslie Layoso or Ms. Susan Castillo.