1981 Palanca Awards

Novel

• Grand prizes (co-winners): "Mass" by F. Sionil Jose and "Sangria Tomorrow" by Wilfrido D. Nolledo

Short story

• First prize: "In Hog Heaven" by Jessie B. Garcia
• Second prize: "The Party Hopper" by Luning Bonifacio
• Third prize: "In These Hallowed Halls" by Jesus Q. Cruz

Poetry

• First prize: "Poems" by Edel Garcellano
• Second prizes: "15 Poems" by Jose M. Lansang Jr. and "Pacific" by Samuel Peralta
• Third prizes: "It is Autumn in China and Am Far Away from Home" by Cesar Mella and "Selected Poems" by Simeon Dumdum, Jr.

Essay

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

One-act play

• First prize: "Sacraments of the Dead" by Tony Perez
• Second prize: "Penumbra" by Dong Delos Reyes
• Third prizes: "Abattoir" by Leoncio P. Deriada and "The Players" by Alfredo O. Cuenca Jr.

Full-length play

• Special prize: "Gateau La Sans Rival ..." by Lemuel Torrevillas

Novel in Filipino

• Special prize: "Mga Tinapay sa Ibabaw ng Tubig" by Reynaldo A. Duque

Short story in Filipino

• First prize: "Di Mo Masilip Ang Langit" by Benjamin P. Pascual
• Second prizes: "Ambos ng Bayan" by Rosario Balmaceda-Gutierrez and "Sulat Mula Sa Libon" by Generoso Taduran Jr.
• Third prize: "May Hatid na Subyang ang Hangin at Ulan" by Lamberto E. Antonio

Poetry in Filipino

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

Essay in Filipino

• First prizes: "Ang Kuwento ng Nawawalang Ilog" by Wilfredo Pa. Virtusio and "Sa Sariling Panunuring Pampanitikan- Mga Hamon at Pananagutan" by Pedro L. Ricarte
• Second prize: "Hagkis ni Lamberto E. Antonio: Ang Tula Bilang Sandatang Pampulitika" by Romulo Sandoval and "Paano Nagsusulat ang Isang Ina" by Ligaya Tiamson-Rubin
• Third prizes: "Ang Manlalakbay" by Ernesto Cabling and "Talababa sa Kontemporaryong Dula" by Reuel Molina Aguila

One-act play in Filipino

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

Full-length play in Filipino

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

• "The Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature | Winners 1981". Archived from the original on 2009-10-24.