39th National Book Awards

After a two-year hiatus, the National Book Awards virtual ceremony of the Manila Critics Circle and the National Book Development Board awarded the best books published in 2019 and 2020. There were a total of 110 shortlisted books.

This is a much-anticipated annual event as it honors Philippine publishing and showcases our authors, editors, translators and book designers. Aside from giving us all an updated reading list of titles to enjoy. Literary Division: Novel (English): Tiempo Muerte by Caroline S. Hau, Ateneo de Manila University Press (ADMUP)

Nobela (Filipino): Topograpiya ng Lumbay: Imus Novel 6 ni RM Topacio-Aplaon, University of the Philippines Press (UP)

Short Stories (English): Voyager and Other Fictions: The Collected Stories of Jose Dalisay by Jose Dalisay Jr., Anvil Publishing, Inc.

Maikling Kwento (Filipino): The Next Great Tagalog Novel at Iba Pang Kuwento ni Allan N. Derain, UP

Nonfiction Prose (English): Biyaheng Pinoy: A Mindanao Travelogue by Edilberto N. Alegre, ADMUP

Nonfiction Prose (Filipino) Balager by Emmanuel Barrameda, Isang Balangay Media Productions

Essay (English): The Philippines Is Not a Small Country by Gideon Lasco, ADMUP

Anthology (English): Mindanao Harvest 4 by Jaime An Lim, Christine F. Godinez-Ortega, Ricardo M. De Ungria, Far Eastern University Publications (FEUP)

Drama: Two Women as Specters of History: Lakambini and Indigo Child by Rody Vera, ADMUP; Salvador/ Javier at Iba Pang Dula ni Lito Casaje, UP

Literary Criticism (English): Sensing Manila by Gary C. Devilles, ADMUP

Literary History (English): Songs Sprung From Native Soils: More Conversations with Eight Mindanao Writers edited by Ricardo M. de Ungria, Xavier University Press

Literary Criticism (Filipino): Faustino Aguilar: Kapangyarihan, Kamalayan, Kasaysayan ni Epifanio San Juan, Jr., University of Santo Tomas Publishing House (USTPH)

Poetry (English): When Bridges Are Down, Mountains Too Far: New Poems by Gemino H. Abad, UP; We Shall Write Love Poems Again by Dinah Roma, USTPH

Poetry (Filipino): Ruta: Mga Bago at Piling Tula ni Benilda S. Santos, ADMUP

Graphic Literature: Tarantadong Kalbo Volume 1 by Kevin Eric Raymundo, Komiket Inc.

Trranslation: The World is Still Beautiful by Lazaro Francisco, Mona Highley; ADMUP Non-Literary Division: Art: Philippine Cinema, 1897-2020 by Gaspar A. Vibal and Dennis S. Villegas, edited by Teddy O. Co; Vibal Group

Professions: Cool Minds, Brave Hearts: The People of the Philippine Central Bank by Roel R. Landingin; Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas

Social Sciences: Rethinking Filipino Millennials: Alternative Perspectives on a Misunderstood Generation by Jayeel Cornelio, USTPH

History: Clothing the Colony: Nineteenth-Century Philippine Sartorial Culture, 1820-1896 by Stephanie Coo, ADMUP

Journalism: Press Freedom Under Siege: Reportage that Challenged the Marcos Dictatorship by Ma. Ceres P. Doyo, UP

Humor, Sports & Lifestyle: Walk Manila by Lorelei D.C. de Viana, FEUP

Food: Lasa ng Republika Dila at Bandila: Ang Paghahanap Sa Pambansang Panlasa Ng Filipinas by Ige Ramos, Anvil

Science: The Zanjeras of Ilocos: Cooperative Irrigation Societies of the Philippines by Jose A. Rivera, ADMUP

Best Design: A Watercolor Journey by Claude Tayag, Design by Miguel Mari, Holy Angel University, Inc. All 110 shortlisted titles qualified for the Best Design category.

Publisher of the Year: Ateneo de Manila University Press. This award is given the publisher with the most number of awarded books. ADMUP reaped eight awards under the leadership of its director Karina Bolasco.

* * * I received several responses to my column on Cory Aquino’s last SONA. I am reprinting two of them: Dear Mr. Cruz, Thank you for reprinting Pres. Cory’s last SONA. It brought back memories of her life as President of our country.

My name is Restie De Ocampo, an 84 year-old “semiretired” anesthesiologist from Tarlac. I happened to be the anesthesiologist at the St. Martin De Porres Hospital at Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac.

We still miss the late President who became our friend after her presidency. There is a part of our home where we keep memorabilia of all that’s “yellow.” In other words, we are proudly “dilawan.”

Her last SONA showed what she has always been – a very decent, hardworking, intelligent, sincere and prayerful woman. “She honestly did her best.”

And yet today, the political climate has changed. Some even vilify her. To us, she was and will always be that kind and sincere president who was loyal to her friends.

I still remember what Teddy Boy Locsin said in his eulogy: that President Cory “ENOBLED” everyone she met, including us.

Thank you for allowing us to remember a president who honestly did her best. It was a joy to read your column. Thank you. Sincerely, Restie De Ocampo

Dear Elfren, That last SONA of Cory’s l cast a spell over all government officials to ideally adopt and follow dutifully in their hearts and minds to perform well in their job of governance. Sincerity, dedication and compassion to work for the people, not for the self. May all government officials read your column and learn by heart and do their jobs in solemn spirit of really serving the people.

With best regards, in friendship, Gody Bamba

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