70th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature now accepting entries

The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (CPMA), the longest-running and most prestigious literary contest in the country, is back after a two-year hiatus brought about by the global pandemic.

This year, the wait is finally over for poets and literary artists as the 70th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature is now accepting entries.

“We know that the past two years have been very challenging for everyone because of the pandemic. As we slowly get back on track and ease into the new normal, we believe the time is ripe to, once again, promote and celebrate Philippine literature and honor our literary artists,” says CPMA spokesperson Bernardita Ben.

CPMA is now accepting submissions to its regular categories as follows:

• Novel and Nobela categories;
• 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, Tulang Para sa mga Bata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula;

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• Regional Languages Division – Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon, and Short Story-Ilokano

The special Kabataan Division for writers below 18 years old is also now open for entries in two categories: English and Filipino. Submissions must be informal or personal essays on the theme, “Life in the Midst of the Pandemic and Coping in the New Normal” (Kabataan Essay) and “Buhay sa Gitna ng Pandemya at Pagharap sa ‘New Normal’” (Kabataan Sanaysay).

The contest is open to all Filipino citizens or former Filipino citizens of all ages except current directors, officers, and employees of the Carlos Palanca Foundation Inc. Authors who wish to join may submit only one entry per category.

The deadline for submission of entries is on May 31.

All submissions must be done online. Carlos Palanca Foundation will not accept printed and email submissions in all categories.

The official contest rules and forms are available at the Carlos Palanca Awards website.

For further inquiries and other concerns, email info@palancaawards.com.ph or call (632) 8843-8277 / (632) 8478-7996. Ask for Ms. Leslie Layoso or Ms. Susan Castillo. – RC, GMA News