2025

Grand Prize

Patricia Sy Gomez for Three Thimbles

Honorable Mention

Maria Carlizza “Arli” C. Pagaduan for Carmel’s Hands

“I want to go home. I don’t like it here,” Gregoria confides.

“It smells,” Eugenia says simply, wrinkling her nose.

Lorenza agrees with her sisters but decides to give this new place a chance. “Oh come

on, it’s not that bad. We are all together now. And we are free,” she reminds them referring

to the fact that back in the Philippines, her countrymen are still under Spanish rule.

—Three Thimbles

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) awards this year’s PBBY-Salanga Grand Prize to Patricia Sy Gomez for her story, Three Thimbles. Inspired by the women who sewed the first flag of the Philippine Republic, this story brings their quiet act of resistance to life.

Gomez is a multi-awarded writer who has won Palanca Awards for both poetry and fiction for children. Her collection Poems from the Pantry and Prehistoric Times was awarded Second Prize in 2010. In 2013, her short story titled “A Thousand Paper Cranes” won Third Prize, and was subsequently published by Lampara Books.

She has also received an Honorable Mention from the PBBY-Salanga Prize for her stories, Pepe’s Gift (2011) and The Balayong Table (2024).

PBBY also recognizes Honorable Mention winner, Maria Carlizza “Arli” C. Pagaduan for her story about the Culion Leper Colony, Carmel’s Hands.

The winners will be awarded at the 42nd National Children’s Book Day celebration on July 15, 2025.

For inquiries about the contest, contact the PBBY Secretariat at secretariat@pbby.org.ph.