GMA Public Affairs' Lee Joseph Castel wins Palanca Award for 'Isang Kahong Cassette Tapes'

GMA Public Affairs Senior Assistant Vice President Lee Joseph "LJ" Castel won First Prize at the 2025 Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.

According to GMA Public Affairs' post on social media, Monday, Castel's short story, "Isang Kahong Cassette Tapes," bagged the top prize in the Maikling Kuwento category. 

Castel has been with GMA Network for 23 years and is behind a number of its programs, including the multi-awarded "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho."

He also conceptualized GMA's first-ever investigative documentary film, "Lost Sabungeros," and is the film's executive producer and head writer. 

He told GMA News Online on Monday that he had "written and edited thousands of stories about other people" in his more than 20 years with "KMJS." 

For his Palanca entry, however, he finally allowed himself to share his own story. 

According to Castel, his short story centers on his family during the time his father worked as an overseas Filipino worker from the 1980s to the 1990s. 

"It was inspired by a box of cassette tapes my father left behind when he passed away, recordings of our voices sent back and forth while he was working in Saudi Arabia," he said. 

"I believe our story mirrors that of countless Filipino families, separated by distance, slowly growing apart emotionally, and bearing the quiet sacrifices that our OFWs must endure in hopes of giving their children a better future."

Castel's Palanca win could not have come at a better moment. The award came as his father's 11th death anniversary draws near. 

"I’ve come to realize that my ability to write may have begun with the letters and voice tapes I used to send him as a child," he said. 

"And at a time when I had started to question my own ability to write, this award arrived, a gentle pat on the shoulder, a reminder that sometimes, the deepest pain can lead you to your sweetest triumph." 

On Sunday evening, Castel shared via Facebook a copy of his letter from the Carlos Palanca Foundation congratulating him on his award. 

"Maraming mga bagay nitong nakalipas na buwan, na ipinanalangin ko, matagal na pinaghandaan, pero hindi ibinigay," he wrote in the caption. 

"Pero may isang matagal ng pangarap ang sa wakas… ipagkakaloob na pala sa akin. Literally crying right now. Salamat po sa nasa Itaas!!!" 

(There were a lot of things these past months that I prayed and prepared for, but were not given to me. But there is one long-held dream that, at last, would finally be granted. Literally crying right now. Thank you to the One above!) 

The awarding ceremony of the Palanca Awards will be held on November 26, 6 p.m., at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City. 

—CDC, GMA Integrated News