THE PALANCA AWARDS

The 49th Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature: The Complete List of Winners

The prestigious Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards held last week honored many writers from the University of the Philippines. Two of the three top prize winners were, at one time or another, connected with the UP Creative Writing Center (UPCWC). Felisa H. Batacan, who won for her English novel "Smaller and Smaller Circle", was a fellow at the 1996 National Writers Workshop in Dumaguete City; and Lilia Q. Santiago, who won for her Filipino novel "Ang Kaulayaw ng Agila", is currently an associate of the UPCWC. The other big winner, Ramon Felipe A. Sarmiento of St. Joseph's College, won for his screenplay "Si Maria at Si Magdalena".

Out of the 839 entries submitted in 21 categories, only 59 winners were chosen. The awards were handed out by guest speaker and former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani and Carlos Palanca Foundation Director General Sylvia Palanca-Quirino.

The Complete list of Palanca winners is as follows:

ENGLISH DIVISION

1st: "Once Upon a Bright Happy Boy" by Melba Padilla Magay
2nd: "Remembering Villa" by Alfred A. Yuson
3rd: "The Rite of Strings" by Lourd Ernest de Veyra

1st: "Learn from the Oldies and Teach the Kiddies" by Juan Ruffo D. Chong
2nd: "Got Pinoy" by Catherine Candano
3rd: "Cultivating Our Roots" by Melissa Mae B. Santos

1st: "The Boy Who Had Five Lolas" by Grace D. Chong
2nd: "Magnificent Benito and His Two Front Teeth" by Michelle G. Rivera and Augie Rivera
3rd: "Danny Goes Home" by Michelle Antoinette S. Tom

1st: "Life Before X" by Angelo R. Lacuesta
2nd: "Flood" by Romina M. Gonzales
3rd: "Rhinoplasty" by Maria L.M. Fres-Felix

1st: "The Taste of One Wave" by John Labella
2nd: "Native Tongue" by Ulysses B. Aparece
3rd: "Reaching Destination" by Nerisa del Carmen Guevara

1st: "Medea of Syquijor" by Leoncio P. Deriada
2nd: "Blind Lanes" by Crispin Ramos
3rd: "Sayonara Lola Bashang" by John Joseph S. Coronel

1st: "Original Grace" by Elsa M. Coscolluela
2nd: "Halakata Ms. D" by Jhonna Lynn B. Cruz
3rd: "Legend of the Cross" by Ametta Suarez Taguchi

REGIONAL LANGUAGES DIVISION

1st: "Ang Likum Sang Isla San Miguel" by Alice Tan Gonzales
2nd: "Kamatayon Sang Isa Ka Kalye" by Leoncio P. Deriada
3rd: "Ulan sa Bulan Sang Abril" by Jonathan P. Jurilla

1st: "Ting Ani" by Ricardo Patalinhug
2nd: "Sambunot" by Leonila E. Estimo
3rd: "Ang Hari Sa Tulay" by Oscar C. Pineda

1st: "Dayyeng Dagiti Karayan" by Ricarte A. Agnes
2nd: "Dagiti Inna Nga Umulog Iti Sardam" by Reynaldo A. Duque
3rd: "Murkat" by Roy V. Aragon

FILIPINO DIVISION

1st: "Si Maria at Si Magdalena" by Ramos Felipe Sarmiento
2nd: "Karumal-dumal" by Diosdado Sa. Anzures Jr.
3rd: "Syota ng Masa" by Ronaldo C. Tumbokon

1st: "Bakasin Mo ang Bakasyon" by Lamberto E. Antonio
2nd: "Abante sa Aking Buhay" by Ariel Dim. Borlongan
3rd: "Tatlong Lumang Sutana" by Niles Jordan Breis

1st: "Sugat at Lipad" by Shirley Anne S. Caparas
2nd: "Ang Papel ng Kabataan sa Pangangalaga ng Kahalagahang Pangkultura ng Filipino" by Ranjoth M. Mendoza
3rd: "Ang Papel ng Kabataan sa Pangangalaga ng Kahalagahang Pangkultura ng Filipino" by Melecio P. Vizcarra Jr.

1st: "Tatlong Ungas" by Rene O. Villanueva
2nd: "Ang Ballet Dancer at ang Basketball Player" by Imelda C. Bautista
3rd: "Xilef" by Augie Rivera

1st: "Sinsil Boys" by German V. Gervacio
2nd: "BI" by Marco A.V. Lopez
3rd: "Dalantao" by Alwin C. Aguirre

1st: "Lilok ng Lilo" by Lamberto E. Antonio
2nd: "May Laman at Mababalatan" by Joseph T. Salazar
3rd: "Kuwentong-baryo, Kuwentong-kanto" by Ariel Dim. Borlongan

1st: "Babaeng Tilapia, Natagpuan sa Coastal Road" by Nicholas B. Pichay
2nd: "Banta" by Eli Rueda Guieb III
3rd: "Ayala Avenue" by Isagani A. Amoncio

1st: "Watawat" by Rene O. Villanueva
2nd: "Unang Dalaw" by Edward P. Perez
3rd: "Wan Chai Yuki" by Dominic D. Manrique

1st: "Luna, Isang Romansang Aswang" by Rodolfo C. Vera
2nd: "Despedida de Soltera" by Liza C. Magtoto
3rd: "Bagting" by Edward P. Perez