Philippine E-Journals

Hopeful, not Happy: The Centennial Literary Prize-winning Novels in English

Vicente Iii Groyon

Discipline: Humanities, Philippine Literature

 

Abstract:

Literary contests are heaven-sent boons for creative writers in the Philippines, offering the chance of not only recognition and acclaim, but also financial rewards greater than the usual honoraria given for publication. In a country where fictionists, poets, and dramatists must justify their output and take on other jobs to cover living expenses, such contests thereby serve as effective spurs to literary production. Many shelved projects are suddenly dusted off and miraculously completed to meet a contest deadline.