De La Salle University (DLSU) celebrated Lasallians’ boundless creativity and artistic expression last April 12 at the Pardo Hall, Henry Sy Sr. Hall. Co-presented by the Malate Literary Folio (MLF) and the Student Media Office, the 40th Annual Awards for Literature (LITAW) and the 15th Annual Awards for Visual Arts (VISAW) recognized the outstanding literary and visual works from schools across the De La Salle Philippines, those thoughtfully engage with heritage and meaningful advocacy.
All submissions underwent a rigorous evaluation done by this year’s panel of esteemed judges per category. Their extensive backgrounds in literary and visual arts emphasized the competition’s standard of technical mastery, striking originality, and social relevance.
Below is the full list of awardees:
Poetry
Moths by Anjelica Feliz S. Dueñas (I, MFACREA), third place
Tula
Mga Estasyon ni Eskaryote by Jose Gerard Luis R. Esguerra (III, PLM-BSA), third place
Poetry and Tula pieces were evaluated by Genevieve L. Asenjo and Abner Dormiendo, two award-winning Department of Literature professors. Asenjo’s book, Ang Itim na Orkidyas ng Isla Boracay, won the DLSU St. Miguel Febres Cordero Research Award for Outstanding Book. Dormiendo, on the other hand, was awarded the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature in 2015 for his poem Sa Antipolo pa rin ang Antipolo.
Essay
Lolo’s Part-Time Aide by Izela Viviene A. Salterio (III, ABLIM-CW), first place
Is ‘Filipino Maximalism’ Just Overconsumption in Disguise? by Leanvie M. Bantugan (II-, AB-POM), second place
understanding grief by Hans Gabriel B. Eron (IV, ABLIM-CW), third place
Veteran journalist and NGO worker Frank Cimatu assessed the categories Short Story and Essay. In 2021, his book Ang Mga Prusisyong Dumaan sa Unang Bangungot was the grand winner of the Madrigal-Gonzales First Book Awards.
Short Story
The Five Men of Malolos by John Lorenzo N. Tapia (IV, BSCS-NIS), first place
The Nativity of Worms by Carlo D. Bautista (IV, ABLIM-CW), second place
Fly Arirang-1 by Jewoo Kang (IV, ABLIM-CW), third place
Together with Cimatu, BPO company writer Camilo M. Villanueva Jr. also evaluated the submitted short stories. In 2022, Villanueva won third prize for Poetry in the 2022 Saranggola Blog Awards.
Sanaysay
Hatid by Cris R. Lanzaderas (PHARFIL), first place
Paglisan sa Baha: Alerto ng Batang Taga-Ilog by Treasure Shantel I. Palencia (III, ABLIM-CW), first place
Bakit Filipino? by Amanda Jayleen D. Llamasares (Grade 11, ABM), first place
Pilosopiyang Peminismo sa Kamay ng Diktadurya by Angel Rose S. Amper from De La Salle Araneta University, first place
Ang mga Lihim sa Likod ng Bawat Silong by Ezekiel Lenard L. Eustaquio (II, BSED-MTH), second place
Maikling Kwento
Ang Retrato sa Dingding by Amanda Jayleen D. Llamasares (Grade 11, ABM), first place
Karinderya by Trisha Isabella N. Padilla (IV, BSIBIS), first place
Presyong Langit by Treasure Shantel I. Palencia (III, ABLIM-CW), first place
Take-out by Hans Gabriel B. Eron (III, ABLIM-CW), second place
Filmmaker and author Abet Umil examined entries under Sanaysay and Maikling Kwento. His writing prowess was recognized thrice by the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in 1991, 1994, and 1997.
Screenplay (English)
Til Death Do Us Part by Beatriz Arwen N. Medenilla from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, second place
Grocery Aisles by Belinda Vivien P. Reyes (II, AB-CAM), third place
Screenplay (Filipino)
In Transit by Izela Viviene A. Salterio (III, ABLIM-CW), first place
Sins of Thy Father by Janine Gwyneth F. Lizano (IV, AB-CAM), third place
The results for Screenplay were deliberated by screenwriters Wanggo Gallaga, resident theater and film critic of Click the City, and Diana Galang, an alumna of Platform BUSAN 2024 by the Busan International Film Festival.
Dulang May Isang Yugto
Ang Timbang ng Sandaang Libo by Kiara Mikaela A. Tan (I, HUM-BIO), first place
The Alternate by Alessandro Kennz Nioda (MFACREA), third place
Department of Literature faculty member Ina Abuan scored the three above categories. She earned her Master of Arts in Creative Writing at the University of Santo Tomas.
Photo
Kristine by Gabriel Torreda (II, MGT-BAS), first place
Your Wish is My Treasure by Athena Pinzon (II, ABBHS-OSSD), second place
Metamorphosis by Ma. Jana Jaden Ramos (IV, BSBIO-BIOMED), third place
Photo submissions were judged by accomplished photojournalists and Department of Communication lecturers Jimmy A. Domingo and Rem Zamora. Domingo began his career in 1985 and has since contributed to both local and international media outfits through documentary photography, multimedia production, and training for NGOs and institutions. Zamora, on the other hand, saw major newsroom experience with The Manila Times, ABS-CBN News, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Traditional Art
ME AND…WHO ARE YOU?! by Amber Jose (Grade 11, ADT), first place
The Catch Up by Charmel Angela G. Triviño (I, BSIE), third place
Traditional Art was assessed by Ana Francesca “Rita” Flores (AB-CAM, ‘22) and Maria Maranan. Flores works as an illustrator with the published comic of Fairy BADmother (2024) in Komiket’s Gigil Anthology, while Maranan is a recipient of the DALISAYAN College Awards in the Arts for Visual Arts (Illustration) in 2024.
Digital Art
Ang Mag-anak ni Dumakulem at ang Tikbalang by Nehemiah Ezekiel B. Barco from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, third place
Acclaimed artists Alice, Gusstelier, and Stevie Barot served as the evaluators for the Digital Art category. Alice specializes in complex mech design and original character artwork, while Gusstelier enjoys creating colorful fantasy worlds. Barot is passionate about long-form original comics such as “In the Jaws of St. Camillus.”
Passion meets purpose
“Keep creating, keep dreaming, and let’s continue to celebrate the power of literature and art,” host Angela Magsino’s words echoed to encapsulate the spirit of the cultivating night—a tribute not only to individual talent but also a collective imagination of the Lasallian community expressed in brilliant writing and visual storytelling.
MLF affirmed its motto, “Gawa lang nang gawa, sining alay sa madla,” through LITAW-VISAW 2025 as the event commended various artists that motivate social change and empowerment through their prolific works. Because in the end, art, in all its forms, is meant to be shared with the people.
(Keep on creating art for the people.)
