As Professor Reuel Molina Aguila
walked up the stage at this year's Palanca awards night to receive his award,
his mind flashed back in 1975 when he, as a student at the University of the
Philippines, first won in the country's premier literary contest.

A celebrated author of children’s stories and literary
professor from the University of the Philippines, Eugene Evasco has further
cemented his stature in the world of Filipino literature as he joins this year
the ranks of Palanca Hall of Famers.

Now on
its 59th year of carrying on its tradition of providing incentive
for the enrichment of the Filipino literary talent and cultural heritage, the
Carlos Palanca Foundation honors the winners of the Carlos Palanca Memorial
Awards for Literature (Palanca Awards).

Prominent icons in Philippine arts and literature came together once
again to judge the 2009 Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. Now on
its 59th year, the country’s most prestigious and longest-running
literary competition continues to honor Filipino literary works with the help
of its esteemed roster of judges.