In line with the annual Purita Kalaw-Ledesma (PKL) Prizes for Art Criticism, the shortlisted writers were announced at the press luncheon last 18 July 2018 at the Grand Atrium, Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Artists who were shortlisted for the Fernando Zobel Prizes for Visual Art were announced in the same event in partnership with the Ateneo Art Gallery.

The following writers were included in the shortlist: Alec Madelene Abarro, Juan Paolo Colet, Mary Jessel Duque, Sabrina Maria Jeongco, Jayvee Del Rosario, and Jose Carlos Joaquin Singson. Maria Lourdes Garcellano received Special Citation. Excerpts of their write-ups can be read at the Ateneo Art Awards 2018 exhibit from 18-30 July 2018 at the Grand Atrium of Shangri-La Mall.

Winners of the PKL Prizes will be announced at the Awarding Ceremony on 26 August 2018 at Ateneo Art Gallery, Arts Wing, Arete, Ateneo de Manila University.

From L-R: Sabrina Jeongco, Juan Paolo Colet, Dr. Wally Ledesma, Alec Madelene Abarro, Jayvee Del Rosario, Mary Jessel Duque, Jose Carlos Joaquin Singson, and Maria Lourdes Garcellano; Photo courtesy of the Ateneo Art Gallery