NOVEMBER 27, 2023 ─ Distinguished guests in the literature scene gathered as the 71^st Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature held its awarding ceremony at the historical Philippine International Convention Center as part of its National Heritage Series.

Named after the businessman and philanthropist Don Carlos Palanca Sr. and sponsored by the Carlos Palanca Foundation Inc., the Palanca Awards is the longest-running literary competition in the Philippines and is considered as the gold standard in writing excellence. It serves to enrich Philippine Literature by giving incentives to writers and acting as a treasury of its literary gems.

Joining the night’s big winners are the 57 authors, poets, academics, and other literary luminaries carefully handpicked from their respective fields to help determine which writing entries deserved the highly coveted Palanca Awards.

The 71^st Palanca Awards judges for each division and category are as follows:

FILIPINO DIVISION

MAIKLING KUWENTO

Dr. Jimmuel C. Naval – TAGAPANGULO
Dr. Rommel B. Rodriguez – Kagawad
Dr. Edgar C. Samar – Kagawad

MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAMBATA

Luis P. Gatmaitan, M.D. – TAGAPANGULO
Dr. Eugene Y. Evasco – Kagawad
Mr. Jun Matias – Kagawad

Sanaysay

Dr. Rhoderick V. Nuncio – TAGAPANGULO
Ms. Kara David-Cancio – Kagawad
Dr. Ma. Milagros C. Laurel – Kagawad

Tula  

Dr. Michael M. Coroza – TAGAPANGULO
Mr. Fidel Rillo Jr. – Kagawad
Mr. Niles Jordan Breis – Kagawad                         

Tula para sa mga Bata 

Dr.  Christine S. Bellen-Ang – TAGAPANGULO
Mr. Perfecto T. Martin – Kagawad
Dr. Elyrah Salanga-Torralba – Kagawad                         

Dulang May Isang Yugto

Atty. Nicolas B. Pichay – TAGAPANGULO
Dr. Amihan B. Ramolete – Kagawad
Ms. Malou Crisologo – Kagawad                         

Dulang Ganap ang Haba

Dr. Jerry C. Respeto – TAGAPANGULO
Dr. Edna May O. Landicho – Kagawad
Mr. John Arcilla – Kagawad                         

Dulang Pampelikula

Mr. Jun Robles Lana – TAGAPANGULO
Mr. Jeffrey Jeturian – Kagawad
Dr. David R. Corpuz – Kagawad

ENGLISH DIVISION

Short Story

Dr. Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr. – CHAIRMAN
Dr. J. Neil C. Garcia – Member
Prof. D.M. Reyes – Member             

Short Story for Children

Ms. Grace D. Chong – CHAIRPERSON
Ms. Nelia Cruz Sarcol – Member
Mr. Russell L. Molina – Member                         

Essay

Mr. Joel Pablo Salud – CHAIRMAN
Dr. Rica Bolipata-Santos – Member
Ms. Miro Frances D. Capili – Member                         

Poetry        

Mr. Alfred A. Yuson – CHAIRMAN
Mr. Marne Kilates – Member
Dr. Dinah T. Roma – Member                         

Poetry Written for Children

Ms. Neni Sta. Romana Cruz – CHAIRPERSON
Ms. Feny de los Angeles – Member
Ms. Nikki Alfar – Member                         

One-act Play

Mr. Rodolfo Vera – CHAIRMAN
Ms. Joi Barrios-Leblanc – Member
Mr. Bart Guingona – Member                         

Full-length Play

Dr. Anton Juan, Jr. – CHAIRMAN
Mr. Chris B. Millado – Member
Mr. Glenn Sevilla Mas – Member

REGIONAL LANGUAGES DIVISION                                  

Short Story (Cebuano)

Mr. Ralph Semino Galan – CHAIRMAN
Mr. Richel G. Dorotan – Member
Ms. Arlene J. Yandug – Member                         

Short Story (Hiligaynon)

Dr. Ruby Gamboa Alcantara – CHAIRPERSON
Dr. Alice Tan Gonzales – Member
Dr. Isabel D. Sebullen – Member

Short Story (Ilokano)

Dr. Romulo P. Baquiran Jr. – CHAIRMAN
Mr. Cles B. Rambaud – Member
Ms. Maria Leonida Fres Felix – Member

KABATAAN DIVISION

Kabataan Essay (ENGLISH & FILIPINO)

Dr. Edizon A. Fermin – CHAIRMAN
Prof. Galileo S. Zafra, Ph.D. – Member
Ms. Louella M. Tampinco – Member