1981 Palanca Awards

The 31st Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature was held to commemorate the memory of Don Carlos Palanca Sr. through an endeavor that would promote education and culture in the country.
LIST OF WINNERS
The 1981 winners were divided into twelve categories, open only to English and Filipino novel, short story, poetry, essay, one-act play, and full-length play:

English Division

Novel

Grand Prize: F. Sionil Jose, ''Mass''

Short Story

First Prize: Jessie B. Garcia, "In Hog Heaven"
Second Prize: Luning Bonifacio Ira, "The Party Hopper"
Third Prize: Jesus Q. Cruz, "In These Hallowed Halls"

Poetry

First Prize: Edel Garcellano, "Poems"
Second Prize: Jose M. Lansang Jr., "15 Poems"
Third Prize: Cesar Mella, "It is Autumn in China and Am Far Away from Home"

Essay

First Prize: Cirilo F. Bautista, "Philippine Poetics: The Past Eight Years"
Second Prize: Jesus S.M. Dimapilis, "Fifteen Days in the Life of Jun San Juan, Filipino, Member of the Family of Man"
Third Prize: Alfredo N. Salanga, "The Aglipay Question"

One-Act Play

First Prize: Tony Perez, "Sacraments of the Dead"
Second Prize: Dong Delos Reyes, "Penumbra"
Third Prize: Leoncio P. Deriada, "Abattoir"

Full-Length Play

First Prize: No Winner
Second Prize: No Winner
Third Prize: No Winner
Special Prize: Lemuel Torrevillas, "Gateau La Sans Rival..."

Filipino Division

Nobela

Special Prize: Reynaldo A. Duque, ''Mga Tinapay sa Ibabaw ng Tubig''

Maikling Kwento

First Prize: Benjamin P. Pascual, "Di Ko Masilip Ang Langit"
Second Prizes: Rosario Balmaceda-Gutierrez, "Ambos ng Bayan"
Third Prize: Lamberto E. Antonio, "May Hatid na Subyang ang Hangin at Ulan"

Tula

First Prize: Romulo Sandoval, "Taga sa Bato"
Second Prize: Tomas F. Agulto, "Lagi na'y Kailangan Kong Gumising nang Maaga't iba pang Pagdidili-dili"
Third Prize: Benigno R. Juan, "Kaya Bang Ipiit at Saka Tanuran ang Isang Gunita"

Sanaysay

First Prize: Wilfredo Pa. Virtusio, "Ang Kuwento ng Nawawalang Ilog"
Second Prize: Romulo Sandoval, "Hagkis ni Lamberto E. Antonio: Ang Tula Bilang Sandatang Pampulitika"
Third Prize: Ernesto Cabling, "Ang Manlalakbay"

Dulang May Isang Yugto

First Prize: Rene O. Villanueva, "May Isang Sundalo"
Second Prize: Bienvenido Noriega Jr., "Barkada"
Third Prize: Mariano Calangasan, "Ganito Bang Lahat Ang Tatay"

Dulang Ganap ang Haba

First Prize: Bienvenido Noriega Jr., "Mga Idolong Romantiko sa Isang Dulang Sumusuri ng Lipunan"
Second Prize: Bienvenido Noriega Jr., "Juan Luna"
Third Prize: Noel De Leon, "Anghel"