University of Santo Tomas led the winners at the Gintong Aklat Awards 2014 with three awards in ceremonies held Sept. 17 at SMX Convention Center.
The rites were held after the opening of the 35th Manila International Book Fair. UST Publishing House director Dr. John Jack G. Wigley received the awards on behalf of the publisher.
The Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP) presented the awards in cooperation with the National Book Development Board (NBDB). Nine winning books were selected based on “quality of production, book design and content” from a field of 345 entries in ten categories. The Gintong Aklat Awards are chaired this year by Ani Rosa Almario, vice president at Adarna House.
Anvil Publishing, Inc., and Ateneo de Manila University Press each won two awards while three other publishers received one award.
“Established in 1981, the prestigious Gintong Aklat Awards are given out every other year to outstanding book publishers based on the quality of the books they produce year after year. Managed by BDAP, the Awards are meant to recognize excellence in bookmaking in the country’s book industry,” read the announcement from the BDAP.
The trophies were handed out by Almario, NBDB Chair Flor Marie Sta. Romana-Cruz and BDAP president Lirio P. Sandoval. The ceremonies featured performances by students from the Philippine High School for the Arts and were BDAP vice president Toots Policarpio.
The winners
Special Book for Book Design: “Kulinarya: A Guidebook to Philippine Cuisine: Expanded Second Edition,” by Glenda Barretto, Conrad Calalang, Margarita Fores, Myrna Segismundo, Jessie Sincioco and Claude Tayag; design by Ige Ramos and Aman Santos, Anvil Publishing, Inc.
Literature in Filipino: “Ang Makina ni Mang Turing” by Ramon Guillermo, University of the Philippines Press; “Canticos: Apat na Boses” ni Kristian Sendon Cordero, University of Santo Tomas Publishing House
Literature in English: “Trafficking in Nostalgia: Essays from Memory” by Exie Abola, Ateneo de Manila University Press; “The Saint of Streets” by Luisa B. Igloria, University of Santo Tomas Publishing House
Food: Special Book for Book Design: “Kulinarya: A Guidebook to Philippine Cuisine: Expanded Second Edition,” by Glenda Barretto, Conrad Calalang, Margarita Fores, Myrna Segismundo, Jessie Sincioco and Claude Tayag, Anvil Publishing, Inc.
Arts and Culture: “Songs of the Babaylan” by Grace Nono, Institute of Spirituality in Asia
Social Science: “A History of the University of Santo Tomas: Four Centuries of Higher Education in the Philippines (1611-2011)” by Fr. Fidel Villarroel, OP, University of Santo Tomas Publishing House
Natural Science: “Shades of Majesty: 88 Philippine Native Trees” by Pastor Malabrigo Jr. and James LaFrankie Jr., Project Brio Media House & Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.
Inspiration and Self-Help: “Inner Blossoming: An Asian-Transpersonal Approach to Learning, Growth and Healing” by Maria Lourdes Llaneza-Ramos, Ateneo de Manila University Press