The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) have announced the finalists for this year’s National Book Awards.
Literary division
Juan C. Laya Prize for Best Novel in a Foreign Language: “Agueda: A Ballad of Stone and Wind,” by Anna Maria L. Harper, designed by Robbie Villegas (University of Santo Tomas Publishing House); “In My Mother’s House,” by Joni Cham, designed by Lolita M. Calvo (Central Book Supply and De La Salle University); “La India, or Island of the Disappeared,” by Rosario Cruz-Lucero, designed by Zenaida N. Ebalan (University of the Philippines Press); “Margosatubig: The Story of Salagunting,” by Ramon L. Muzones, translated by Ma. Cecilia Locsin-Nava, designed by Karl Fredrick M. Castro (Ateneo de Manila University Press); and “The Leprous Bishop,” by Gabriel Miró, translated by Marlon James Sales, designed by Felix Mago Miguel (UST Publishing House).
Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Short Fiction in the English Language: “A Very Far Place: Tales of Tawi-Tawi,” by H. Arlo Nimmo, designed by Karl Fredrick M. Castro (Ateneo Press); “After the Body Displaces Water,” by Daryll Delgado, designed by Adam David (UST Publishing House)
Juan C. Laya Prize for Best Novel in a Philippine Language: “Duguang Balangaw,” by Domingo G. Landicho, designed by Mikael R. Gallego (Vibal Foundation and De La Salle University); “Sa Kasunod ng 909,” by Edgar Calabia Samar, designed by Sam Immanuel R. Macaisa (UST Publishing House); “Si Crispín,” by Tony Perez, designed by Joshene Bersales (Anvil Publishing).
Non-Fiction Prose, English Language: “Hour Before Dawn: The Fall and Uncertain Rise of the Philippine Supreme Court,” by Marites Dañguilan Vitug, designed by Ige Ramos (Cleverheads Publishing); “Stella and Other Friendly Ghosts,” by Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, designed by Robbie Villegas (UST Publishing House); “Subversive Lives: A Family Memoir of the Marcos Years,” by Susan F. Quimpo and Nathan Gilbert Quimpo, designed by Ibarra Crisostomo (Anvil).
Non-Fiction Prose, Filipino Language: “Ka Amado,” by Jun Cruz Reyes, designed by Zenaida N. Ebalan (UP Press); “Mga Angst ng Isang Di-Mahapayang Gatang,” by Resty Mendoza Ceña (Visprint); “Pamilya Mi grasyon Disintegrasyon,” by Fanny A. Garcia, designed by Christian E. Fabian and William M. dela Cruz (C&E Publishing and DLSU).
Non-Fiction Prose, Kapampangan Language: “Gálè at Gósu: Para Karing Mal A Patulunan,” by Crispin Nacpil Cadiang, designed by Rei Naldo II V. Garcia (Holy Angel University).
Anthology, English Language: “Aura: The Gay Theme in Philippine Fiction in English,” edited by J. Neil C. Garcia, designed by Joshene Bersales (Anvil); “Hoard of Thunder: Philippine Short Stories in English, 1990 to 2008,” 2 vols., edited by Gémino H. Abad, designed by Lara Gotis (UP Press); “Tibak Rising: Activism in the Days of Martial Law,” edited by Ferdinand C. Llanes, designed by Joshene Bersales (Anvil)
Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Poetry in the English Language: “Pagdakop Sa Bulalakaw ug Uban pang mga Balak,” by Merlie M. Alunan, designed by Mayanne A. Wenceslao (Ateneo); “Pictures as Poems & Other (Re)Visions,” by Marne Kilates, designed by Marne Kilates (UST Publishing House); “Silver Fish, Hook of Moon,” by Neal Imperial, designed by Sam Immanuel R. Macaisa (UST Publishing House).
Virgilio S. Almario Prize for Poetry in the Filipino Language: “Alimpuyo sa Takipsilim: Mga Tulang Tuluyan,” by Roberto T. Añonuevo, designed by Maribeth M. Añonuevo (Ateneo); “Isa Lang ang Pangalan: Mga Tula,” by Rebecca T. Añonuevo, designed by Roberto Villegas Jr. (UST Publishing House); “Kung Nanaisin,” by Romulo P. Baquiran Jr., designed by Zenaida N. Ebalan (UP Press).
Poetry, Kapampangan: “Diwang Kayanakan Kawatasan Kapampangan: Sunis 1,” by Roilingel P. Calilung, Adrian Lee G. Magcalas, and Ernie T. Sabandal, designed by Mal A Ari and Leonardo Calma (Holy Angel University); “Kawatásan: Obrang Poeta Laureado, by Joel Pabustan Mallari, designed by Mal A Ari (Holy Angel).
Isagani R. Cruz Prize for Literary Criticism/Literary History in a Philippine Language: “Halos Isang Buhay: Ang Manananggal sa Pagsusulat ng Nobela,” by Edgar Calabia Samar, designed by Sam Immanuel R. Macaisa (UST Publishing House)
Graphic Literature: “Trese 5: Midnight Tribunal,” by Ferdinand Benedict G. Tan and Jonathan A. Baldisimo (Visprint); “Zsazsa Zaturnnah sa Kalakhang Maynila 1,” by Carlo Vergara (Visprint)
Non-literary division
Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Art: “Philippine Neo-Ethnic Choreography: A Creative Process,” by Agnes Locsin, designed by Zenaida Ebalon (UST House); “Rizalpabeto,” by Vim Nadera, illustrated by Elmer Borlongan, designed by Daniel Palma Tayona and Matthew Justin Bernard Z. Fernandez (Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development); “Sacrificial Bodies: The Oblation and the Political Aesthetics of Masculine Representations in Philippine Visual Cultures,” by Reuben Ramas Cañete, designed by Nicole Victoria and Lara Gotis (UP Press); “The Life and Art of David Medalla,” edited by Purissima Benitez-Johannot, designed by Randy B. Pagatpatan (Vibal Foundation); “Walking through Philippine Theater, 3 vols.,” by Basilio Esteban S. Villaruz, designed by Zenaida N. Ebalan (UST Publishing House).
Professions: “Health, Wellness and Welfare: The Legal Aspect,” vol. 1, by Narciso M. Aguilar (Central Book Supply); “Let’s Stop ‘Killing’ Our Children,” by Philip S. Chua (Central Book); “The Political Supreme Court,” by Pacifico A. Agabin, designed by Lara Gotis (UP Press).
Science: “Beach Forest Species and Mangrove Associates in the Philippines,” by Jurgenne H. Primavera and Resurreccion B. Sadaba, designed by Rex Dianala (Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center); “Science Philippines: Essays on Science by Filipinos,” vol. 1, edited by Gisela P. Padilla-Concepcion, designed by Zenaida N. Ebalan (UP Press); “Shades of Majesty: 88 Philippine Native Trees,” by Pastor Malabrigo Jr. and James LaFrankie Jr., designed by Ricardo P. Ave Jr. (Wide Angle Media and Project Brio Media House).
Leisure: “Aro Katimyas Da!: A Memory Album of Titled Kapampangan Beauties, 1908-2012,” by Alex R. Castro, designed by Victor Banzon Ancheta, Leonardo Calma Jr., Vanessa Tamayo, and Ryan Azarcon (Holy Angel); “It Only Hurts When I Pee: RJ Ledesma’s Guide to Bodily Gases, Hair Loss and Pink Parts,” by RJ Ledesma, designed by Wiji Lacsamana (Anvil); “Larry Can’t Cook: How Larry J. Cruz Built an Empire That Redefined Filipino Dining,” edited by Thelma Sioson San Juan, designed by Ige Ramos (Anvil and LJC Management Consultancy); “Linamnam: Eating One’s Way Around the Philippines,” by Claude Tayag and Mary Ann Quioc, designed by Ige Ramos (Anvil); “Savor the Word: Ten Years of the Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Award,” edited by Michaela Fenix, Maya Besa Roxas and Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, designed by Tina Besa (Anvil).
Social Sciences: “10 Days, 10 Years: From Bin Laden to Facebook,” by Maria A. Ressa, designed by Joshene Bersales (Anvil); “Ang Siyudad ng Mall: Ang Bakod, Bukod at Buklod bilang Espasyo at Biswal mula Tabuan hanggang SM City North Edsa,” by Elizabeth Morales-Nuncio, designed by Analyn C. Sumang (DLSU Publishing House); “Mind, Science and Computation,” by Napoleon M. Mabaquiao Jr., designed by Mikael R. Gallego (Vibal Foundation and DLSU); “Perspectives on Philippine Languages: Five Centuries of European Scholarship,” by Marlies S. Salazar (Ateneo); “Unlocking the Church’s Best Kept Secret: Principles for the Interpretation, Communication, and Praxis of Catholic Social Teaching,” by Aloysius Lopez Cartagenas, designed by Karl Fredrick M. Castro (Ateneo)
Design: “Ang Panlimang Alas ay Nakabaon sa Iyong Dibdib,” by Alan Navarra, designed by Alan Navarra (Visprint); “Cebu Furniture: A History of Inspiration and Innovation,” by Maricris Encarnacion, designed by Katrina Palomo Garcia (ArtPostAsia); “Savor the Word: Ten Years of the Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Award,” by Michaela Fenix, Maya Besa Roxas and Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, designed by Tina Besa (Anvil); “The Magic Circle,” by Gilda Cordero Fernando, designed by Ani V. Habúlan (Anvil); “Zsazsa Zaturnnah sa Kalakhang Maynila 1,” by Carlo Vergara (Visprint).