The 58th Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature was held on September 1, 2008, at The Peninsula Manila in Makati to commemorate the memory of Don Carlos Palanca Sr. through an endeavor that would promote education and culture in the country. This year’s roster of winners almost equally distributed among Palanca veterans (57%) and first-time winners (43%). Done every other three years, the “Novel” was once more part of the 20 categories in this year’s competition. Education Secretary Jesli Lapus of the Department of Education was Guest of Honor and Speaker at this year’s awarding ceremony. The 2008 winners are divided into four categories:

English Division

Novel

Short Story

Short Story for Children

Poetry

Essay

One-Act Play

Full-Length Play

Filipino Division

Nobela

Maikling Kwento

Maikling Kwentong Pambata

Tula

Sanaysay

Dulaang May Isang Yugto

Dulang Ganap Ang Haba

Dulang Pampelikula

Regional Division

Short Story [Cebuano]

Short Story [Hiligaynon]

Short Story [Iluko]

Kabataan Division

Kabataan Essay

Kabataan Sanaysay