Youth to tackle literature in national development for 63rd Palanca Awards

For this year's Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards, budding writers will tackle the role of literature in the development of a nation. "To encourage the youth to hone their creative gift early in life, the Palanca Awards welcomes essays under the Kabataan Division – its special division for young writers below 17 years old," said the contest organizer and sponsor Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc., which is now accepting entries for the 63rd Palanca Awards. The Kabataan Essay theme for  2013 is “What is the Role of Literature in the Development of a Nation?” for the English category and “Ano ang Papel na Ginagampanan ng Panitikan sa Pag-unlad ng Isang Bansa?” for the Filipino category. Last year, entries under the Kabataan Division had to answer the question, "In the advent of e-books, do I still consider printed books to be an important part of education?" The Kabataan Division was opened in 1998. Established in 1950, the Palanca Awards is the longest-running literary contest in the Philippines. It is now accepting entries from both amateur and seasoned writers in the following categories: English Division – Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry for Children, One-act Play, and Full-length Play; Filipino Division – Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata, Sanaysay, Tula, Tulang Pambata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula; Regional Languages Division – Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon and Short Story-Iluko. The Foundation is also accepting entries in the Novel and Nobela categories. Starting this year, these Novel categories will be opened for entries every two years, the Foundation said.   The deadline for submission is midnight of April 30, 2013. Each contestant may submit only one entry per category.   The literary contest is open to all Filipino (or former Filipino) citizens, except current officers and employees of Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. Contest rules and official entry forms are available at Palanca Awards’ official website, www.palancaawards.com.ph. — Carmela G. Lapeña/BM, GMA News