1979 Palanca Awards

Short story

• First Prize: “Arbol de Fuego” by Francisco Sionil Jose; and “Behind the Fern” by Rowena Tiempo Torrevillas
• Second Prize: “Act” by César Ruiz Aquino; and “The Other Woman” by Norma Miraflor
• Third Prize: “Another Execution” by Grace Marie Katigbak; and “Ride A White Horse to Heaven” by Antonio M. Nieva

Poetry

• First Prize: “Crossworks” by Cirilo F. Bautista
• Second Prize: “Nova Blum” by Ricardo De Ungria
• Third Prize: “Black Holes: A Closer View” by Edgardo B. Maranan

Essay

• First Prize: “This City is in the Heart” by Enrique Jose Crisostomo
• Second Prize: “A Scenario for Filipino Renaissance” by Francisco Sionil Jose
• Third Prize: “The Military As a Revolutionary Force” by Reynaldo Silvestre

One-Act Play

• First Prize: “Earthworms” by Dong Delos Reyes
• Second Prize: “Demigod” by Bobby Flores Villasis
• Third Prize: “Wedding Night” by Isagani R. Cruz

Full-length Play

• First Prize: No winner
• Second Prize: No winner
• Third Prize: No winner
• Special mention: “The Fort Santiago Contract, December 1896” by Felix A. Clemente

Short story

• First Prize: “Lagaslas ng Hanging Makamandag” by Melecio Antonio Adviento; and “Tipaklong, Tipaklong, Bakit Bulkang Sumabog ang Dibdib ni Delfin Balajadia” by Alfonso Mendoza
• Second Prize: “Pangarap” by Leuterio Nicolas; and “Habag” by Benigno R. Juan
• Third Prize: “Hindi na Babagtas ang mga Tagak” by Jose M. Marquez; and “Mga Kuwentong Kapos” by Jun Cruz Reyes

Poetry

• First Prize: “Kahit ka Man Hostess at Iba Pang Tula” by Alberto F. De Guzman
• Second Prize: “Ngayon, Ang Daigdig at Iba pang Tula” by Mar Al. Tiburcio
• Third Prize: “Dalawampu't Isang Tula” by Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo

Essay

• First Prize: “Mga Talinhaga sa Panahon ng Krisis” by Virgilio S. Almario
• Second Prize: “Ang Kaisipang Pilipino Batay sa Sining Biswal” by Alice Guillermo
• Third Prize: “Sa Ibabaw ng Kapirasong Lupa” by Anselmo Roque

One-Act Play

• First Prize: “Bahay Kalapati” by Mateo Trijo Doctor
• Second Prize: “Isneg” by Manuel Galvez
• Third Prize: “Ang Bangkay” by Nonilon Queano

Full-length Play

• First Prize: “Langit Ma'y Magdilim” by Bonifacio Ilagan
• Second Prize: “Juan Tamban” by Malou Leviste Jacob
• Third Prize: “Ang Katutubo” by Nonilon Queano

• "The Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature | Winners 1979". Archived from the original on 2009-10-24.