The Pilar Print Prize for Filipino Writing has been an annual tradition since the bookstore’s opening in 1998. While it was initially established as a local writing contest for Manila residents, it has since expanded to accept entries from writers across the Philippines in a celebration of Filipino literary talent. With over one hundred pieces in the contest’s decorated archive, the prize has become one of the most popular literary events hosted by an independent bookstore.
Since its founding, the Pilar Print Prize has always rewarded work that challenges the way we think about the social, political, and cultural environment that we live in. We seek work that is not only provocative, but deeply inventive in the way it approaches the complexities of the Filipino experience. Because we believe that writing can truly change the world, we invite pieces that fearlessly challenge existing social and narrative conventions, both in content and form.
Electronic submissions are now OPEN, and the submissions window will close November 1st at 11:59pm. Submissions can also be mailed or submitted in person to Pilar Print, 257 Padre Faura St, Ermita, Manila.
Categories:
Poetry (3-5 poems per submission, limit one submission per writer)
Short Story (up to 5,000 words)
Creative Nonfiction / Critical Essay (up to 10,000 words)
Submissions may be in English or Filipino.
One winner and one runner up will be selected from each category. Winners will receive 10,000P, and runners up will receive 5,000P. Both the winner and runner-up will be published in this year’s PEN Anthology and invited to read an excerpt of their work at the 64th annual Filipino’s Writers Conference, which will be held at Pilar Print on Saturday, November 26th.
2022 Judges
Our judges this year will be Paula Flores and Jose Villanueva. *
Paula Flores is currently an editor for Gantala Press, an independent press that consistently publishes feminist books, poetry collections, and other literature representing feminist activism. Before working at Gantala, she received her degree from the University of the Philippines, where she studied journalism. She has also written two books of poetry, including her debut collection Wither Bloom, which was a finalist for the Gémino H. Abad Award for Poetry, and her most recent publication Pasig Tide. Both of these works explore the use of natural metaphor to examine the ways in which femininity both enables and inhibits women to define agency and autonomy on their own terms within the societal and domestic sphere. She is also passionate in her involvement with youth outreach and literature, serving as a co-founder of a nonprofit that provides writing workshops and author events for free to children in Manila public schools.
Jose Villanueva is a professor in the Department of English Language Studies at the University of Santo Tomas, where he teaches courses in Multilingualism, Multiculturalism and Intercultural Communication as well as Philippine Literary History. As a professor, he seeks to challenge his students to read literature that conflicts with their preconceived perceptions of the world, intentionally selecting texts that represent marginalized and contradicting voices of Philippine society. As an academic, his research focuses on how texts written in English by Filipino authors uniquely depict the Filipino experience, particularly with respect to authors who write about the Philippines from English-speaking countries, including the United States and the UK. His work, often considered cross-cultural and pluralistic, has been published in several academic journals, including Kritika Kultura and Humanities Diliman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a submission fee?
No, there is no cost to enter the writing contest.
What language should my submission be in?
Submissions can be written in either Filipino or English, as long as the author is Filipino.
How many pieces may I submit?
Please limit your submission to one per category.
Does my work have to be previously unpublished?
Yes, we only accept previously unpublished work.
If I submitted last year, can I submit again?
Yes! We invite writers to submit every year, regardless of previous participation. However, previous winners cannot win again.
Do you accept simultaneous submissions?
Yes! If you receive an offer of publication from somewhere else, please kindly notify us to withdraw your submission from our contest.
Who can I contact if I have questions about my submission?
Please reach out to Pilar Print at submissions@pilarprint.com with any questions!
*Judge information includes mention of actual universities, literature awards, and academic journals in the Philippines. However, the judges and biographies themselves are constructed creatively, with no reference to actual people.