72nd Palanca Awards now accepting entries — Palanca Awards medallion and certificate —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Carlos Palanca Foundation Inc. is now accepting entries to the 72nd Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (CPMA).

The most prestigious literary competition in the Philippines, the Palanca Awards is open to all Filipino citizens or former Filipino citizens of all ages, based locally or abroad.

Authors who wish to join may submit only one entry per category, as follows: Novel and Nobela; 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, Tula Para sa mga Bata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba and Dulang Pampelikula; Regional Languages Division—Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon and Short Story-Ilokano; Kabataan Division—Kabataan Sanaysay (Filipino) and Kabataan Essay (English) and with the question: “Lubhang naiimpluwensyahan ang mga kabataan ngayon ng pag-unlad ng teknolohiya ng social media at AI (artificial intelligence). Paano matutulungan ng pamahalaan at mga pamilya ang mga kabataan na pagyamanin ang kakayahan nitong magdulot ng pagbabago habang nilulupig ang mga kaakibat na panganib ng kanilang pagbabaybay sa digital na mundo? (Today’s youth are deeply influenced by technological advancements in social media and AI. How can the government and families help the youth harness its transformative potential while mitigating inherent risks as they navigate the digital landscape?).

For the Novel and Nobela categories, works that were first published within two years between June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2024 and unpublished works may be submitted. Only unproduced works may be entered in the Dulang Pampelikula category. A work that has been awarded a prize in another contest before midnight of May 31, 2024 is not qualified.

Submission must be accomplished online via the Palanca Awards website (palancaawards.com.ph). The Carlos Palanca Foundation will not accept printed and emailed submissions for all categories.

For the official contest rules and forms, visit the Palanca Awards website. Inquiries and other concerns may be directed via email at [email protected] or landline at 88438277 or 84787996 (Leslie Layoso or Susan Castillo). All winners will be honored in a special ceremony later this year.