Now on its 63rd year, the country’s premier and longest-running literary contest, the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature or Palanca Awards, has once more opened its doors to both amateur and seasoned writers who wish to showcase their talent in crafting beautiful literature. Entries are now being accepted for the following categories:

English Division: Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry for Children, One-act Play, and Full-length Play

Filipino Division: Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata, Sanaysay, Tula, Tulang Pambata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula

Regional Languages Division: Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon and Short Story-Iluko

The Carlos Palanca Foundation is also accepting entries in the Novel and Nobela categories, which, beginning these year, will be opened every two years.

Furthermore, to encourage the youth to hone their creative gift early in life, the Palanca Awards welcomes essays under the Kabataan Division for young writers below 17 years old. This year’s Kabataan Essay theme for the English category is “What is the Role of Literature in the Development of a Nation?” and “Ano ang Papel na Ginagampanan ng Panitikan sa Pag-unlad ng Isang Bansa?” for the Filipino category.

Contestants are reminded to submit their entries ahead of the deadline for submission, no later than midnight on April 30, 2013. Entries with complete requirements may be submitted to the Foundation’s office at the 6th Floor, Unit 603 Park Trade Center Bldg. 1716 Investment Drive, Madrigal Business Park, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City or may also be entered online through the Palanca Awards website. Each contestant may submit only one entry per category.

The literary contest is open to all Filipino (or former Filipino) citizens, except current officers and employees of Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. The complete contest rules and official entry forms are available at Palanca Awards’ official website.