The Philippine Center for the International PEN (Poets & Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists) is still accepting entries to the 2016 F. Sionil José Young Writers Award, a competition for short fiction in English, until Oct. 14.

First prize is P50,000; second, P30,000; third, P20,000.

Award is endowed by the children of National Artist José and Tessie Jovellanos José— Tonet José, Evelina J. Cichy, Brigida J. Bergkamp, Eddie José, Eugene José, Alex José and Nikko José—“to honor our father’s legacy to the young writers of the Philippines,” said Cichy. Contest is open to any Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines, 30 years and younger. Contestant should submit one unpublished short story in English. Manuscripts must be limited to 20 pages, double space, 12-font type (Times Roman or any conservative font).

Cover page must include the following information: name of contestant, date of birth, address, telephone number, e-mail, date of submission, title of short story, and a brief back-ground of the author. E-mail submission as attachment to [email protected]; or send four copies to Solidaridad Bookshop, 531 Padre Faura St. , Ermita, Manila (tel. 2541068).

Last year’s winners: Joy Icayan, “Portrait of a Family” (first prize); Joshua Carlo Tenorio Pile, “On Good Days, Like Sundays” (second); Dominic Paul C. Sy, “A Natural History of Empire” (third); and L.A. Piluden, “Tales from the Old Benguet Road” and Rolly Jude M. Ortega, “Day of Mourning” (honorable mentions).