Multi-awarded Poet, IXM Hakuhodo Head of Copy, and Journalixm Editor-in-Chief Mikael de Lara Co has been inducted into the prestigious Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the country’s foremost literary talents. 

Co won his first Palanca grand prize for the collection Hands for a Fistful of Sand in 2007, followed by Iba’t Ibang Ngalan ng Hangin (2008), Pastoral and Other Poems (2013),  and Epistolaryo ng Bagamundo at ang Tugon ng Multo (2023). His latest triumph, Panayam sa Abo cemented his place in the Palanca Hall of Fame, with five grand prize finishes as the sole criterion for inclusion. 

There have been a total of only 30 Hall of Famers across all categories and divisions in the Palanca Awards’ 72-year History. Co also won third place in poetry for This Tender Gravity in 2014, and holds the distinction of holding multiple grand prizes in both English and Filipino poetry— a feat that even fewer poets can claim. 

Reflecting on his achievement, the poet took to social media to share his thoughts following the event. “Hindi naman kakaiba ang pakiramdam, hindi naman surreal o anuman. Ako pa rin ito.” Mikael says. “Pareho pa rin ang trabaho ko: To write the most honest line I can. Ang kumuha ng isang pahina at isulat ang unang linya. At ang linya pagkatapos noon, at ang linya pagkatapos noon, hanggang ibulong ng tula na “ok na ako.” At pagkatapos noon, ang kumuha ng isa na namang pahina, ang magbukas ng bagong tula.”

Parallel to his writing career, Co spent much of his professional life in the political communications space, leading the Liberal Party’s communications unit until 2022. He also worked with former President Benigno S. Aquino III and former Vice President Leni Robredo, for whom he is acknowledged to have written speeches. 

Since January of 2024, Co has been Head of Copy for award-winning advertising agency IdeasXMachina Hakuhodo, overseeing all writing-based operations; he also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Journalixm, the agency’s thought leadership platform. 

Co also has four finalist finishes for the National Book Award, three of which are for his literary translations. He says he has several translation books in the pipeline, along with his next book of poetry in Filipino, all of which he plans to come out with in 2025.