The Carlos Palanca Foundation Inc. has officially opened submissions for the 76th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.
Often regarded as one of the country’s most recognized literary competitions, the Palanca Awards is open to Filipino citizens and former Filipino citizens of all ages, whether based in the Philippines or abroad. Participants may submit one entry per category.
Photo: Palanca Awards
This year’s awards include the following categories:
Novel and nobela
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
Also open this year is the Kabataan division, which accepts entries from writers under 18 years old through:
- Kabataan essay (English)
- Kabataan sanaysay (Filipino)
For the Kabataan categories, participants are asked to write informal personal essays centered on how young people can help bridge differences, encourage understanding, and contribute to building more peaceful and empathetic communities.
Eligible entries include works first published or produced between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, as well as unpublished or unproduced works.
Meanwhile, the Novel and nobela categories, which are held every other year, may accept published or unpublished entries, provided published works fall within the June 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, eligibility period.
Only unproduced works are accepted for the Dulang Pampelikula category. Entries that have already won prizes in other contests before June 30 are not eligible.
All submissions must be made 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 recognized at a ceremony later this year, with additional updates to be announced through the Palanca Awards website and official Facebook page.