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Palanca awardee Aldrine Anzures on November 26, 2025. Lyza Aquino, ABS-CBN News

Palanca awardee Aldrine Anzures on November 26, 2025.

Article (news)

PALANCA

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature celebrated its Diamond Jubilee on Wednesday with an evening dedicated to recognizing literary excellence across 20 categories—continuing its 75-year mission of uplifting Philippine literature.</p><p>Established in 1951 to honor the legacy of Carlos Palanca Sr., the Palanca Awards remains the longest-running and most prestigious literary competition in the Philippines. </p><p>Renowned poet, playwright, translator, and educator Dr. Ruth Elynia D. Mabanglo served as Guest of Honor and received the Gawad Dangal ng Lahi. Her decades-long career has championed women’s voices, social justice, and the development of young writers.</p><p>One of the fresh faces honored this year was Euna Oraiz, a Grade 10 student from UST Education High School, who captured 3rd Prize in the Kabataan Sanaysay category for her piece “Suki Ako ng Pagod.” At just 15 years old, she was the youngest awardee of the night. </p><p>Oraiz shared that she wrote the piece during a school break, inspired by the exhaustion felt by students balancing academic and personal responsibilities.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/03/01/18/pinoy-named-finalist-for-global-teacher-prize"><strong>Pinoy named finalist for Global Teacher Prize </strong></a> </div><p>“Yung piece ko po, I wanted it for the students na marami nang ginagawa… I want to remind them na okay lang po magpahinga, through my piece,” she explained.</p><p>She added that the essay was based on a real encounter at their family’s sari-sari store, where a fatigued nursing student once stopped to rest.</p><p>“Based po siya sa sari-sari store namin. Back then, umuulan, may nakausap po akong nursing student na nagpahinga sa store. Honestly po, nalaman ko lang po ito sa isang relative ko kaya napasali ako dito,” Oraiz added.</p><p>She encouraged young writers to keep creating: “Siguro po ang masasabi ko lang is magsulat lang po kayo… maraming maabot ang words ninyo.”</p><p>Second-time winner Enrico Miguel Perez earned 2nd Prize for his story “Golgotha.” The recognition was especially meaningful, as he had submitted the same piece the previous year but did not place.</p><p>“I had so much faith in it… I submitted it again this year, and now I won,” he said.</p><p>Perez, who first won a Palanca in 2019 at age 17, admitted he had been close to giving up on writing. “If I don’t win this year, I will forget writing… so now I won. I want to win more awards. I want to be in the Hall of Fame,” he said.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/01/03/20/google-honors-filipino-author-genoveva-matute"><strong>Google honors Filipino author Genoveva Matute </strong></a> </div><p>He currently works in his family’s business but continues to pursue literature.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764172604761viber_image_2025-11-26_23-18-01-350.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Palanca awardee Aldrine Anzures on November 26, 2025. Lyza Aquino, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Palanca awardee Aldrine Anzures on November 26, 2025. <em>Lyza Aquino, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>First-time awardee Aldrine Anzures won 1st Prize in the Dulang May Isang Yugto category for his play “Anino ng Pagtubos.” The work centers on two hitmen grappling with guilt, morality, and the lingering impact of violence. </p><p>“It talks about the guilt nung taong pumatay sa kaibigan… at kung hanggang saan ang kaya nating gawin bilang mga tao,” Anzures said.</p><p>He explained that the play reflects on societal issues and the aftermath of the extrajudicial killings (EJK) era during the Duterte Administration.</p><p>“Matagal na siyang idea, hinahunting niya ako lagi. I didn’t want it to be a short story, so sabi ko baka puwedeng dula siya. Siguro ang inspiration ay societal issues, EJK, pero yung dula ay nakasentro post-EJK, sa panahon ngayon na hindi na siya masyadong pinag-uusapan dahil sa pagbabago ng administration,” he said.</p><p>Anzures emphasized that Palanca-winning works often tackle narratives rarely highlighted in mainstream media.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://corporate.abs-cbn.com/newsroom/news-releases/2024/11/29/balay-pinoy-2024?lang=en"><strong>Knowledge Channel upholds Pinoy values education in Bálay Pinoy 2024 School Caravan</strong></a></div><p>“Isa sa trademark ng Palanca yung pagtalakay tungkol sa kapwa nating Pilipino, na maaaring ang kwento ay hindi naririnig sa TV o sa movies. Marami pang mapupulutan na hindi lang aral, pero ideya kung sino tayo, saan tayo papunta, at saan tayo nagmula. ‘Yun ang pinakamahalaga.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Here is the full list of winners: </strong></div><div><em>Kabataan Sanaysay </em></div><p>1st Prize: Joshua P. Manio – Tamang Pagluto ng Sinigang </p><p>2nd Prize: Jhanna Louise C. Amado – Ma, Sorry Po! </p><p>3rd Prize: Euna P. Oraiz – Suki Ako ng Pagod</p><div> </div><div><em>Kabataan Essay </em></div><p>1st Prize: John Carl LI. Guardian – The Salt Sermon </p><p>2nd Prize: Charisse Mae M. Gonzalo – Everything is Made Up </p><p>3rd Prize: Celestin Nicole R. Facistol – Ctrl + V? No Thanks</p><div> </div><div><em>Filipino Division </em></div><div><em>Maikling Kuwento</em></div><p>1st Prize: Lee Joseph M. Castel – Isang Kahong Cassette Tapes </p><p>2nd Prize: Gilbert M. Baldoza – Myma, Aso </p><p>3rd Prize: Ronaldo S. Vivo Jr. – Ang Ilusyon a Kulay ng Ating Budhi</p><div> </div><div><em>Maikling Kuwentong Pambata </em></div><p>1st Prize: Elyrah Loyola Salanga-Torralba – Ginoong Buwan </p><p>2nd Prize: Genaro R. Gojo Cruz – Problema Ko Si Nanay </p><p>3rd Prize: Dawn Gabriela Emmanuele G. Dela Rosa – Si Tala Sa Mahiwagang Pila ng Jeep</p><div> </div><div><em>Sanaysay </em></div><p>1st Prize: John Brixter M. Tino – Ari </p><p>2nd Prize: Filliffe Rae Anthonie C. Anorico – Si Richard Gappi at Ako </p><p>3rd Prize: Angela Cabanes – Ang Apat Kong Ina</p><div> </div><div><em>Tula </em></div><p>1st Prize: Ronald A. Atilano – Paghimbing sa Templo </p><p>2nd Prize: Alvin C. Ursua – Guho </p><p>3rd Prize: Karl Isaac M. Santos – Doomsaying</p><div> </div><div><em>Tula Para sa Mga Bata </em></div><p>1st Prize: Christopher S. Rosales – Mga Minatamis na Taludtod </p><p>2nd Prize: Genaro R. Gojo Cruz – Unang Tibok ng Pusong Musmos </p><p>3rd Prize: Klara Domagtoy Espedido – Ang Salita ay Isang Ugat</p><div> </div><div><em>Dulang May Isang Yugto </em></div><p>1st Prize: Aldrine F. Anzures – Anino ng Pagtubos </p><p>2nd Prize: Dustin Edward D. Celestino – Elehiya </p><p>3rd Prize: Rouchelle Dinglasan – Dantay sa Patay</p><div> </div><div><em>Dulang Ganap ang Haba </em></div><p>1st Prize: No Winner </p><p>2nd Prize: No Winner </p><p>3rd Prize: Dustin Edward D. Celestino – A.NI.MAL</p><div> </div><div><em>Dulang Pampelikula </em></div><p>1st Prize: Christopher T. Cabahug – Ang Birheng Ipinagkanulo </p><p>2nd Prize: Rodolfo C. Vera – Watsonville </p><p>3rd Prize: Arjanmar H. Rebeta – Mga Kalapating Matayog ang Lipad</p><div> </div><div><em>Regional Languages Division</em></div><div> </div><div><em>Short Story – Cebuano </em></div><p>1st Prize: Jose Alenogene I. Limpangog – Ang Kataposang Bato sa Isla Pangaea </p><p>2nd Prize: CD L. Borden – Unglo </p><p>3rd Prize: Kenjiro P. Mitsui – Samin</p><div> </div><div><em>Short Story – Hiligaynon </em></div><p>1st Prize: Keft Sina-On Sobredo – Anaw </p><p>2nd Prize: Rex Menard L. Cervales – Binakol </p><p>3rd Prize: Al Jeffrey L. Gonzales – Bagat</p><div> </div><div><em>Short Story – Ilokano </em></div><p>1st Prize: Freddie P. Masuli – Ni Inang Cion ken ti Panagur-urayna </p><p>2nd Prize: Lito P. Hilidon – Ti Bannuar Ti Bario Tabueng </p><p>3rd Prize: Prudencio G. Padios – Fireplace</p><div> </div><div><em>English Division</em></div><div> </div><div><em>Short Story </em></div><p>1st Prize: Nal Ryanne G. Gatcho – Goat </p><p>2nd Prize: Enrico Miguel Perez – Golgotha </p><p>3rd Prize: Christopher D. Gabriel – Milked for Milk</p><div> </div><div><em>Short Story for Children </em></div><p>1st Prize: John Bryan R. Balolong – Captain Crayon and the Doodle Pirates </p><p>2nd Prize: Manuelita Contreras-Cabrera – That’s What I Said </p><p>3rd Prize: Bryan Mari Argos – Kapid</p><div> </div><div><em>Essay </em></div><p>1st Prize: Joan D. Saga-Oc – Echoes of Life in a Kalinga Village: Past and Present </p><p>2nd Prize: Catherine S. Babao – The Cemetery Playlist </p><p>3rd Prize: Mark Alden Arcenal – Autoethnography of a Hermit Crab</p><div> </div><div><em>Poetry </em></div><p>1st Prize: Jan Dennis S. Destajo – Translocation </p><p>2nd Prize: Alfonso G. Manalastas – Strange, Black Silhouettes </p><p>3rd Prize: Ryan Paul T. Caidic – Exodus 15</p><div> </div><div><em>Poetry Written for Children </em></div><p>1st Prize: Cyne Jarvis J. Zarceno – All The Worlds / Know </p><p>2nd Prize: Junard P. Duterte – Wonders in the Whirlwind </p><p>3rd Prize: Salvacion D. Tandoc – Words That Wiggle and Dance</p><div> </div><div><em>One-Act Play </em></div><p>1st Prize: Russell Stanley Q. Geronimo – Repatriation </p><p>2nd Prize: Nicolo Ricardo C. Magno – The Field of Forgotten Dreams </p><p>3rd Prize: Debbie Ann L. Tan – One-Winged Butterfly</p><div> </div><div><em>Full-Length Play </em></div><p>1st Prize: Dustin Edward D. Celestino – Fidelity </p><p>2nd Prize: Rafael Paolo D. Jimenez – LVNA </p><p>3rd Prize: Salvacion D. Tandoc – The President’s Therapist</p><div> </div>

<p>The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (Palanca Awards) celebrated its Diamond Jubilee with an evening dedicated to recognizing literary excellence across 20 categories—continuing its 75-year mission of uplifting Philippine literature.</p>

The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (Palanca Awards) celebrated its Diamond Jubilee with an evening dedicated to recognizing literary excellence across 20 categories—continuing its 75-year mission of uplifting Philippine literature.

Palanca Awards marks 75th year, honors youngest awardee and other writers

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Palanca Awards marks 75th year, honors youngest awardee and other writers

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 27, 2025 12:23 AM PHT

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Updated November 27, 2025 09:39 AM PHT

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Carlos Palanca Awards

75th year

Diamond Jubilee

literature

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