National Artist for Literature Edith Tiempo, herself a multi-awarded Palanca winner who directs the annual summer writers workshop in Dumaguete City, was the guest speaker at the awarding ceremonies held at Dusit Hotel Nikko in Makati City.
There were some old familiar names in the winners list, but mostly new ones, including second-generation writers. STAR Lifestyle contributing writers bagged the top two places in the English short story category. Soccorro "Migs" Villanueva won first place with her entry "Mahogany Water" while Myrza Sison won second place for "Sink or Swim."
Established in 1950 to honor Don Carlos Palanca Sr., the awards aim to serve as an incentive for Filipino writers to craft their outstanding literary works and to disseminate to the public especially to students these literary masterpieces.
The complete list of 2006 Palanca Award-winners:
Second - Jim Diamond M. Libiran, "Tribu"
Third - Carlos A. Arejola, "Ang Mundo ay Iisa at Marami"
Second - Jose Dennis C. Teodosio, "Pulo"
Third - Bonifacio P. Ilagan, "Negatibo"
Second - Timothy Dacanay, "Teatro Porvenir"
Third - Liza Magtoto, "Nay Isa"
Second - Joel V. Almazan, "Aba Ginoong Mag-asawa"
Third - Christian U. Tordecillas, "Dyip"
Second - Elyrah L. Salanga, "Talambalay"
Third - Ramon M. Bernardo, "Alingawngaw ng mga Kuliglig, Kalansing ng mga Tansan"
Second - Allan Jay. T. Allonar Jr., "Ang Pangako kay Asterz"
Third - No Winner
Second - Maria Josephine C. Barrios, "Salit-salitang mga Tula ng Pagsulyap, Pakikibaka at Paglingap"
Third - Emmanuel V. Dumlao, "Salamangka ng Santelmo"
Second - Enrique C. Villasis, "De-Lata"
Third - Vladimeir B. Gonzales, "Lunes, Alas Diyes ng Umaga"
Second - Maynard G. Manasala, "Taguan-Pung"
Third - Allan Alberto N. Derain, "Ang Regalo ng Taong Ibon"
Second - Kristian Sendon-Cordero, "Langaw"
Third - Edgar B. Maranan, "Buwan at Lupa"
Second - Richel G. Dorotan, "Dayaspora"
Third - Eleazar T. Acampado, "Mata sa Bagyo"
Second - Peter S. Nery, "Ang Kapid"
Third - Bryan Mari Argos, "Sagal-i"
Second - Danilo B. Antalan, "Tugot"
Third - Arnold P. Jose, "Ni Ina Baket Gimma, Ti Aso, ken Ti Atang"
Second - Amelia L. Bonifacio, "Chinchina and the Five Mountains"
Third - Maria Clarissa Estuar, "Ask Me Again When Im Thirty"
Second - Joachim Emilio B. Antonio, "Gabrielle"
Third - Nikki Alfar, "Life After Beth"
Second - Sid G. Hildawa, "Building a House, and other Poems"
Third - Raymundo T. Pandan Jr., "Illuminations and Sonorities"
Second - Corinna Esperanza A. Nuqui, "Suman"
Third - Arturo Ilano, "A Monumental Race"
Second - Myrza Sison, "Sink or Swim"
Third - Ma. Celeste Flores-Coscolluela, "Trip"
Second - Grace D. Chong, "Big Brother"
Third - Dean Francis Alfar, "How Rosang Taba Won a Race"
Second - Edgar B. Maranan, "Hometown Stories and Footnotes to Childhoods End"
Third - Martin V. Villanueva, "Hed Rather be Relevant"
Second - Ryan Edward L. Chua, "Home"
Third - Hannah L. Co, "Coming Home"