There are years when a good number of excellent entries jostle each other for space to be recognized
It’s that time of the year when authors dust off unpublished manuscripts, or start or finish new ones, in the hopes of bagging the big one – a Palanca Award.
Its full title is the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the country’s oldest literary awards.
This year sees the staging of its 72nd version. It has also been called “the most prestigious literary competition in the Philippines,” not only for its sheer age but for its impressive roster of winners and recognized works.
The Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc., the contest organizer, has announced it is now accepting entries for this year’s tilt. It is open to all Filipino citizens or former Filipino citizens of all ages, based locally or abroad.
Authors may submit only one entry in each category:
● 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, at Dulang Pampelikula;
● Regional Languages Division – Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon, and Short Story-Ilokano;
● Kabataan Division – Kabataan Essay (English) and Kabataan Sanaysay (Filipino).
Kabataan Essay theme: 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?
Kabataan Sanaysay theme: Lubhang naiimpluwensyahan ang mga kabataan ngayon ng pag-unlad ng teknolohiya ng social media at AI.
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?
The Foundation stipulates that in the Novel and Nobela categories, works published within the last two years (between 1 June 2022 to 31 May 2024) and unpublished works may be submitted.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 31 May 2024 is not qualified.
Authors may submit only online via the Palanca Awards website <http://www.palancaawards.com.ph/>.
Physical copies and email submissions will not be accepted. For the contest rules and forms, see the website as well.
The deadline for submission of entries is on May 31, 2024.
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Are literary contests still relevant?
Such awards show recognition to both famous and new writers, acknowledging the former’s work and giving platforms to the latter. Awards not only praise good writing but also encourage writers to keep on producing excellent work.
However, we need to remember that judging these contests is inherently subjective, meaning different people might see things differently.
So, we have to be careful when we think about who wins these awards, and if you don’t win one, it doesn’t mean your work isn’t worthy.
Certain factors come into play in such situations; here are some:
● With such contests open to Filipinos in-country and from all over the world, competition is very stiff.
There are years when a good number of excellent entries jostle each other for space to be recognized. But there may also be years when only a few clearly stand out from the rest.
● The criteria used for judging can vary widely from one contest to another.
Some may prioritize technical skill, literary innovation, thematic depth, emotional resonance, or social relevance. Judges may weigh these criteria differently, impacting their final decisions.
● Judges evaluate the technical aspects of writing, including grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and clarity of expression.
Well-crafted prose and attention to detail can enhance the overall quality of a literary work. However, in what judges may deem are meritorious cases, exceptions can be made.
● Some genres are valorized more than others.
● Despite efforts to be impartial, judges may be influenced by their own biases, including personal preferences, cultural background, literary influences, and previous experiences.
So if your work doesn’t win an award, it doesn’t mean your work isn’t good; it may just be that it doesn’t suit the taste of that particular panel of judges.
You can either try submitting again; submitting to another contest; or writing work specifically intended to conform to the tastes of that contest, although this strategy means pandering to gatekeepers.
I’ve known people to do this, though.
Why do some authors chase the dream of winning contests?
A prize looks good on the CV, and in some fields can add to promotion points. It bestows clout, adds prestige, and boosts the author’s self-satisfaction and self-esteem.
The pros and cons of joining literary contests is a polarizing topic and there is much to be said on both sides.
Winning has benefits, but losing means nothing, so in the end, it’s a personal decision that an author makes for their own reasons.
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