73rd Palanca Awards now open for submissions

MANILA — The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards (CPMA) for Literature, the country’s oldest and most prestigious writing contest, is now accepting submissions for its 73rd edition this year.

Recognizing literary excellence since 1950, this year's edition is open to all Filipino citizens or former citizens of all ages, whether based locally or abroad, the Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. (CPF) announced.

Participants who wish to join may submit one entry per category until June 30.

Below are the official categories for its 73rd edition:

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; and

Kabataan Division – Kabataan Essay (English) and Kabataan Sanaysay (Filipino).

The category of Kabataan Division — which is open to young writers under 18 years old — will accept informal, personal essays centering on the themes: “How can I effectively use AI to enhance learning while maintaining personal responsibility, independent thought, and ethical integrity?” for the English category; and “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?” for the Filipino category.

According to CPF, the contest is open to works that were first published between June 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, as well as those that have neither been published nor produced.

Meanwhile, only unproduced works are allowed in the Dulaang Pampelikula category.

CPF also stated that submissions that have won a prize in another contest before June 30, 2025, are not eligible for the competition.

Entries for all categories must be submitted online through the Palanca Awards website, as printed and email submissions will not be accepted.

A special ceremony will be held later this year to honor the winners of this year's edition, CPF said.

Last year, four Filipino writers received the Hall of Fame award, a distinction bestowed upon individuals who have won five or more First Prizes in the Palanca Awards.