The 53rd Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature was held on September 1, 2003, at The Peninsula Manila in Makati to commemorate the memory of Don Carlos Palanca Sr. through an endeavor that would promote education and culture in the country.
National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario was Guest of Honor and Speaker at this year’s awarding ceremony.
[1] Reynaldo A. Duque was this year's Palanca Hall of Fame awardee.
Duque clinched his fifth first prize for “Apong Simon” under the Maikling Kwento category.
The said award is given to writers who have won five (5) first places in any category.