Filipino authors shine at 41st Natl Book Awards

FILIPINO authors were given recognition for their craft through the 41st iteration of the prestigious National Book Awards held at the Areté at the Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday night, February 24.

Once again, the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) partnered with the National Book Development Board (NBDB) to celebrate the most outstanding book titles written, designed and published in the Philippines.

This year’s National Book Awards coincides with the two-year preparation of the Philippines as it makes history as the second Southeast Asian country to be chosen as Guest of Honor in 2025 at the world’s biggest book fair, the Frankfurter Buchmesse.

For this cycle of the annual awards, 235 titles were submitted across 34 categories consisting of seven languages: Filipino, English, Bikol, Binisaya, Hiligaynon, Tausug and Waray.

The authors behind 35 winning titles were awarded across the literary and nonliterary divisions.

One of the ceremony’s highlights was handing out the Lifetime Achievement Award to writer and literary critic Isagani Cruz.

Aside from writing more than 30 books, Cruz is an advocate of Philippine culture and a member of groups and institutions that promote Philippine literature and art.

Meanwhile, for the sixth year in a row, the Ateneo de Manila University Press was named the Publisher of the Year.

Awarded Best Novel in English was “Yñiga” by Glenn Diaz, while Best Novel in Filipino went to RM Topacio-Aplaon for his “El Arbol de la Alegria: Southern Quartet 1.”

The National Artist Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English, on the other hand, was bestowed on Vida Cruz-Borja for the “Song of the Mango and Other New Myths.”

Also, the book about the life and times of former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff and senator Rodolfo Biazon, “Soldier, Solon, Statesman,” by Eric Ramos, was given the Pablo A. Tan Prize for Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in English.

On the other hand, the Best Book Design award was handed to “Transfiguring Mindanao: A Mindanao Reader.”

Also in attendance for the event were National Artists Gemino H. Abad (Literature) and Ricky Lee (Film and Broadcast).

In an interview on the sidelines of the awarding ceremony, Lee said literary authors must be celebrated and honored because “we usually set aside literature.”

The writer of classic Filipino films such as “Himala,” “Brutal,” “Moral” and “Karnal” said aspiring Filipino writers should “keep on persisting.”

“Never give up. The life of the writer has its ups and downs. There are frustrations and rejections. If you want to write, then keep on writing, non-stop,” said Lee, who has written more than 180 film screenplays since 1973.

The other winners in the Literary division of the 41st National Book

Awards were:

– Gerardo B. Cabochan Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in Filipino - “Ang Buang ng Bayan: Mga Maikling Kuwento” by Rowena P. Festin

– Pablo A. Tan Prize for Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in English - “Even Ducks Get Liver Cancer and Other Medical Misadventures” by Wilfredo Liangco

– Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in Filipino - “Pasasaan” by Jesus Aman Calvario

– Best Anthology in English - “Kalandrakas Part I, 1890-1945: Stories and Storytellers of/on Regions in Mindanao, 1890-1990” and “Kalandrakas Part II, 1946-1990: Stories and Storytellers of/ on Regions in Mindanao, 1890-1990” by Ricardo M. de Ungria (Editor)

– Best Anthology in Filipino - “Plus/+ at Iba Plus, Maramihan: New Philippine Nonfiction on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identities” by Rolando B. Tolentino and Chuckberry J. Pascual (Editors)

– Best Book of Literary Criticism/Cultural Studies - “Isang Dalumat ng Panahon” by Christian Jil R. Benitez

– Best Book on Media Studies - “Alternative Cinema: The Unchronicled History of Alternative Cinema in the Philippines” by Nick Deocampo

– Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Best Book of Poetry in English - “Coming Home to the Island: Poems” by Arlene J. Yandug

– Victorio C. Valledor Prize for Best Book of Poetry in Filipino - “Sa Ika-ilang Sirkulo ng Impyerno” by Miguel Paolo Celestial

– Best Book of Graphic Novel and Comics in English - “Death be Damned,” written by Mike Alcazaren, Noel Pascual, and AJ Bernardo, and illustrated by AJ Bernardo and Josel Nicolas

– Best Book of Graphic Novel and Comics in Filipino - “Josefina,” written by Russell L. Molina and illustrated by Ace C. Enriquez.