Mark Alden Arcenal, an alumnus of Cebu Technological University-Daanbantayan Campus, gained national recognition on November 27, 2025 when his essay “Autoethnography of a Hermit Crab” won third prize in the English Division’s essay category at the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the country’s most prestigious literary competition, marking him among the Philippines’ emerging literary voices.
Arcenal is the first Palanca laureate from Daanbantayan. He is pursuing a second master’s degree in Technology and Vocational Education, major in Home Economics Technology at CTU Main Campus.
The CTU Daanbantayan Campus celebrates him as a distinguished alumnus, having graduated Cum Laude in 2020 with a Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in Home Economics Technology, and earning honors such as Campus Press Awardee, Leadership Awardee, and Editor-in-Chief (2018–2020).
Professionally, Arcenal serves as Research Coordinator at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Research Institute and is a member of the Institutional Review Board of Southwestern University – PHINMA, blending literary talent with research expertise.
This recognition underscores Arcenal’s contribution to contemporary Filipino literature and the growing presence of regional writers on national and international stages./Dr. Nikkithea L. Beduya, ICPA Daanbantayan Campus
Awarding: Photo courtesy/screengrab from Facebook live of Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature