National Book Awards winners bared

THE National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) unveiled the winners of the prestigious 42nd National Book Awards (NBA) on Monday. The NBA honors the most outstanding works of literature, design, and publication in the Philippines, celebrating books that represent the country's rich cultural and literary heritage. This year, a total of 326 titles were submitted across 31 categories, with works published in four languages: English, Filipino, Bikol, and Ilokano. The 42nd iteration of the awards coincides with the Philippines' preparation to be the Guest of Honor at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, marking a significant moment for the nation's literary scene on the global stage. The NBA's literary division saw notable winners across various genres, from fiction to poetry and nonfiction to graphic novels. Some of the top honors include: Best Novel in English: "1762: A Novel" by Vin dela Serna Lopez (Ateneo de Manila University Press) Best Novel in Filipino: "Teorya ng Unang Panahon" by Edgar Calabia Samar (Ateneo de Manila University Press) National Artist Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English: "The Collected Stories of Gregorio C. Brillantes" by Gregorio C. Brillantes (Ateneo de Manila University Press) Gerardo P. Cabochan Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in Filipino: "Mga Kalansay sa Hardin ng Panginoon" by Ronaldo Soledad Vivo Jr. (Self-published) Noteworthy as well was the Pablo A. Tan Prize for Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in English, which went to Balik-Tanaw: "The Road Taken" by Soledad S. Reyes (De La Salle University Publishing House), while Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in Filipino was awarded to "Patining at Iba Pang Sanaysay" by Soliman A. Santos (University of the Philippines Press). In the poetry categories, the Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Best Book of Poetry in English was awarded to "It Is Time to Come Home: New & Collected Poems" by Marjorie Evasco (Milflores Publishing, Inc. and De La Salle University Publishing House). The Victorino C. Valledor Prize for Best Book of Poetry in Filipino went to "Turno Kong Nokturno: Mga Bago at Piling Tula" by Lamberto E. Antonio (University of the Philippines Press). The awards also highlighted excellence in graphic novels, with "Sa Wala" by Renren Galeno (Komiket Inc.) and "Sining Killing" by Randy Valiente (Komiket Inc.) winning in the English and Filipino categories, respectively. The Best Translated Book categories recognized the important role of translation in preserving and sharing Filipino culture. In English translation, "Húbad" by Ester Tapia, translated by Merlie M. Alunan, was honored, while in Filipino, the award went to "Palâisgën: Epikong-bayan ng mga Tagbanua ng Aborlan, Palawan," translated by Paul D. Jagmis, Sr. and Mary Grace A. Jagmis. In the nonliterary division, notable winners included Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Art: "Julio Nakpil (1867-1960) Collected Works, Volume Two: Band and Orchestral Music" by Maria Alexandra Iñigo Chua (University of Santo Tomas Publishing House) Best Book on Food: "Heritage Dishes of the Philippines" by Lady Camille L. de Guia (Vibal Group Inc.) Best Book in Science: "Wild City: A Photographic Guide to Amphibians, Mammals, and Reptiles of Metro Manila" by Jelaine Gan, Trinket Constantino, and Abby Favis (University of the Philippines Press) Hilarion and Esther Vibal Prize for Best Book in Journalism: "View from the Foxhole: Shaping the Political into the Personal" by Joel Pablo Salud (University of the Philippines Press) In the design category, "Dogs in Philippine History" by Ian Christopher B. Alfonso (Philippine Historical Association, Project Saysay Inc., Alaya Publishing) won the Best Book Design award, showcasing the growing appreciation for book design excellence alongside literary merit. The 42nd NBA marks a significant year for Philippine literature, not only for the high quality of works celebrated but also for the timing of the event as the country prepares to represent Southeast Asia at the prestigious Frankfurter Buchmesse in 2025. The Philippines' selection as the Guest of Honor at the world's largest book fair is expected to showcase the depth and diversity of Filipino literature to an international audience.