The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature winners for 2016. The awarding ceremonies were held on September 21, 2016, at the Peninsula Hotel Manila in Makati City. Multi-awarded actor, director, and theater artist Antonio "Tony" Mabesa was conferred the Gawad Dangal ng Lahi for his career spanning 6 decades. He is a professor emeritus at the University of the Philippines and the founder of Dulaang UP.
Short Story
First Prize: "Zoetrope" by Richard C. Cornelio
Second Prize: "Sundays at the Cardozas’" by Larissa Mae R. Suarez
Third Prize: "Things That Matter" by Michelle Abigail Tiu Tan
Judges:
Poetry
First Prize: "Hush Harbor" by Ana Maria K. Lacuesta
Second Prize: "Accidents of Composition" by Merlinda Bobis
Third Prize: "Homecoming Collection" by Angela Gabrielle Fabunan
Judges:
Essay
First Prize: "A View From Masada" by Joel Vega
Second Prize: "Circle" by Hammed Q. Bolotaolo
Third Prize: "Lip Reading" by Maria Roselle G. Umlas
Judges:
Short Story for Children
First Prize: "No Winner"
Second Prize: "No Winner"
Third Prize: "Saranggola" by Joemar L. Furigay
Judges:
Poetry for Children
First Prize: "No Winner"
Second Prize: "The Small Bright Things" by Jaime An Lim
Third Prize: "Miniature Masterpieces" by Patricia Celina A. Ngo
Judges:
One-Act Play
First Prize: "Tic-Tac-Toe" by Peter Solis Nery
Second Prize: "1990" by Robert Arlo DeGuzman
Third Prize: "Gawani’s First Dance" by Patrick James Manongdo Valera
Judges:
Full Length Play
First Prize: "The Floret Road" by Joachim Emilio B. Antonio
Second Prize: "No Winner"
Third Prize: "Tirador ng Tinago" by Michael Aaron C. Gomez
Judges:
Maikling Kuwento (Short Story)
First Prize: "Ang Daga" by Orlando A. Oliveros
Second Prize: "Bangkera" by Emmanuel T. Barrameda
Third Prize: "Cutter" by Paolo Miguel G. Tiausas
Judges:
Maikling Kuwentong Pambata (Short Story for Children)
First Prize: "Ang Nakabibilib na si Lola Ising" by Annalyn Leyesa-Go
Second Prize: "May Pula" by Manuelita Contreras-Cabrera
Third Prize: "Ambon ng Liwanag" by Eugene Y. Evasco
Judges:
Sanaysay (Essay)
First Prize: "Pugon na De-Gulong" by Christopher S. Rosales
Second Prize: "Mga Pagsasanay sa Paggalugad ng Siyudad" by Eugene Y. Evasco
Third Prize: "#PaperDolls" by Segundo Matias Jr.
Judges:
Tula (Poetry)
First Prize: "‘Di Lang Lalang" by Mark Anthony S. Angeles
Second Prize: "Tempus Per Annum at Iba pang Tula" by Louie Jon Agustin Sanchez
Third Prize: "#PagsisiyasatSaSugat " by Allan John Andres
Judges:
Tulang Pambata (Poetry for Children)
First Prize: "AngTotoo, Raya, Ang Buwan ay Itlog ng Butiki" by German Villanueva Gervacio
Second Prize: "Tiniklop-tiklop na Bugtong " by John Patrick F. Solano
Third Prize: " Awit ng Bakwit" by Vijae Orquia Alquisola
Judges:
Dulang May Isang Yugto (One-Act Play)
First Prize: "Bait" by Guelan Varela-Luarca
Second Prize: "Billboard" by Mark Adrian Crisostomo Ho
Third Prize: "Ang Mga Bisita ni Jean" by Ma. Cecilia C. De La Rosa
Judges:
Dulang May Ganap na Haba (Full-Length Play)
First Prize: No Winner
Second Prize: No Winner
Third Prize: "Chiaroscuro" by Lito Casaje
Judges:
Dulang Pampelikula (Screenplay)
First Prize: "Kulay Lila ang Gabi na Binudburan pa ng mga Bituin" by Jimmy F. Flores
Second Prize: "Deadma Walking" by Eric Cabahug
Third Prize: "Alay ng Lupa sa Daing ng Dagat" by Ymmanwel Rico Provinio
Judges:
Short Story - Cebuano
First Prize: "Tigpamaba sa Magay" by CD Borden
Second Prize: "Lumba" by Gumer M. Rafanan
Third Prize: "Estatwa" by Manuel M. Avenido, Jr
Judges: Richel G. Dorotan (Chairman), Manuel Faelnar, Hope Sabanpan-Yu
Short Story - Hiligaynon
First Prize: " Ang Panaad " by Ritchie D. Pagunsan
Second Prize: " Nagakaangay nga Panapton " by Early Sol A. Gadong
Third Prize: " Bahal Nga Tuba " by Alain Russ G. Dimzon
Judges: Beulah P. Taguiwalo (Chairperson), Genevieve L. Asenjo, John E. Barrios
Short Story - Ilokano
First Prize: No Winner
Second Prize: No Winner
Third Prize: "Pamulinawen" by Roy V. Aragon
Judges: Adelaida F. Lucero (Chairperson), Maria L.M. Frez-Felix, Arthur P. Urata Sr.
Filipino
First Prize: "Hulagway sa Rabaw ng Tubig" by Mikaela Lu Apollo
Second Prize: "Minsan Nag-Selfie ang Isang Propagandista" by Harvey D. Lor
Third Prize: "Ang Pinakamagandang Pamato sa Larong Piko" by Jason Renz D. Barrios
English
First Prize: "To Thine Own Self Be True" by Jill Esther V. Parreño
Second Prize: "Then The Abstract Was Misunderstood" by Dawn Gabriela Emmanuele G. Dela Rosa
Third Prize: "iThink, Therefore iAm" by Alpheus Matthew D. Llantero
Judges: Ligaya Tiamson Rubin (Chairperson), Maria Louella M. Tampinco-Lunas, Josefina A. Agravante
