1991 Palanca Awards
The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature winners in the year 1991.English division
Short story
- First Prize: “Portents” by Jessica Zafra
- Second Prize: “The Music Child” by Alfred A. Yuson
- Third Prize: “All Possible Pasts and Future” by Ma. Luisa A. Igloria
Short story for children
- First Prize: “The Blanket” by Ma. Elena Paterno-Locsin
- Second Prize: “The Jink, the Dolphin, and the Deep Sea Mystery” by Edgardo B. Maranan; and “Francisco” by Ma. Elena Paterno-Locsin
- Third Prize: “Blue, Red, Yello” by Ramon Sunico; “The Fifth Element” by Edgardo B. Maranan; and “Tito Jose's Legacy” by Ametta Suarez-Taguchi
Poetry
- First Prize: “Dogodog and Other Poems Bypassed by the Northerlies” by Arnold Molina Azurin
- Second Prize: “Poems of a Season” by Merlie Alunan
- Third Prize: “From the Hothouse” by Ma. Fatima V. Lim; and “Living in the Movies” by Franklin Cimatu
Essay
- First Prize: “Unravelling the Knots of Ethnicity” by Arnold Molina Azurin
- Second Prize: “Killing Time in Little Earth” by Jose Y. Dalisay Jr.
- Third Prize: “Intimations of Mortality” by Anthony L. Tan
One-Act Play
- First Prize: No winner
- Second Prize: “A Footnote to History” by Jessie B. Garcia; “Short Time” by Dean Francis Alfar; and “The Nuptial Initiation” by Felix A. Clemente
- Third Prize: No winner
Full-length Play
- First Prize: No winner
- Second Prize: No winner
- Third Prize: No winner
Filipino division
Short story
“Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay ni Nano” by Lav Indico Diaz
“Isang Hindi Malilimutang Tanghali sa Buhay ng mga Ginoo at Ginang ng Bitukang Manok” by Fernando Villarca Cao
“Marino” by Reynaldo A. Duque
“Si Ato sa Sangmagdamagang Pagtatakas sa Kawalang Malay” by Pat V. Villafuerte
“Tatlong Bakas ng Paa” by Lorenzo Tabin
Short story for children
- First Prize: “Ang Pintor ni Garu” by Natasha Vizcarra
- Second Prize: “Ang Ambahan ni Ambo” by Edgardo B. Maranan
- Third Prize: “Salidum-Ay” by Reynaldo A. Duque
Poetry
- First Prize: “Desparacido/Desaparadico” by Franklin Cimatu
- Second Prize: “Hari ang Ari” by JJ Alvarez Dela Rosa; and “Mga Tula sa Pagpapalit ng Tadhana” by Roberto Ofanda Umil
- Third Prize: No winner
- Special Mention: “Putol” by Michael M. Coroza
Essay
- First Prize: “Ang Pagdadalaga ng mga Batang Taludtod” by Glecy C. Atienza
- Second Prize: “Ang Mito ng Pagkalalaki ni Richard Gomez” by Roland Tolentino
- Third Prize: “Talaarawan ng Isang Galang Peryodista” by Omer Oscar Almenario
One-Act Play
- First Prize: No winner
- Second Prize: “Sa Pusod ng Yungib” by Ramon C. Jocson
- Third Prize: “Open 25-hours a Day” by Reuel Molina Aguila
- Honorable Mention: “Eksodo” by Rodolfo R. Lana Jr.; and “Hindi Tungkol sa Mga Bayani” by Jose Bernard Capino
Full-length Play
- First Prize: “Baclaran” by Wilfred S. Victoria
- Second Prize: “Kung Paano Balatan ang Talop na Bunga” by Manuel R. Buising
- Third Prize: “Poon” by Carlos Dela Paz Jr.
Teleplay
- First Honorable Mention: “Kapanahon” by Ronald S. Marcelo; and "Loida: Taxi Driver" by Segundo D. Matias Jr.
- Second Honorable Mention: “Ang Halamanan sa Paso” by Diosdado Anzures Jr.; and “Isang Bukas Para Kay Junjun” by Melchor Salandanan Ventura
- Third Honorable Mention: “Jayvee's Brother” by Rolando S. Salvana
