INQUIRER columnist Ma. Ceres P. Doyo and Inquirer comic artist Manix Abrera have emerged victorious at the 35th National Book Award. Doyo won the award for Best Book in Journalism for her book “Macli-ing Dulag: Kalinga Chief, Defender of the Cordillera,” published by the University of the Philippines Press. Abrera received the award for Best Book of Graphic Literature in Filipino for “News Hardcore! Hukbong Sandatahan ng Kahaggardan!,” published by Visprint, Inc.
The UP Press was named Publisher of the Year.
Handed out yearly by the Manila Critics Circle and the National Book Development Board, the National Book Awards recognize the best of the previous year’s locally published books. The 35th National Book Awards feted the best books published in 2015. The winners were announced November 15 at the NBDB offices in Pasig City by NBDB chair Flor Marie Sta. Romana Cruz and MCC acting chair Ruel S. De Vera. The winners will receive a cash prize as well as trophies. The awards will be handed out in ceremonies on November 26 at the National Museum Auditorium in Manila.
The complete list of winners: Best Novel in English: “Locust Girl: A Lovesong,” by Merlinda Bobis (Anvil Publishing, Inc.); Best Novel in Filipino: “Si Janus Silang at ang Labanang Manananggal-Mambabarang (Adarna House, Inc.); Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English: “Recuerdos de Patay and Other Stories,” by Caroline S. Hau (UP Press); Best Book of Short Fiction in Filipino: Sa Mil Flores, May Isang Hostes at Iba Pang Mga Kuwento ni Rosario de Guzman-Lingat,” edited by Soledad S. Reyes (Ateneo de Manila University Press); Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in English: “Arsenio H. Lacson of Manila,” by Amador F. Brioso, Jr. (Anvil); Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in Filipino: “Ang Autobiografia ng Ibang Lady Gaga,” by Jack Alvarez (Visprint); Best Book of Essays in English: RE: Recollections, Reviews, Reflections,” by Luis H. Francia (UP Press); Best Book of Essays in Filipino: “Titser Pangkalawakan at Iba Pang Angas sa Social Network Underworld,” by Joselito D. Delos Reyes (Visprint); Best Anthology in English: “Habagatanon: Conversations with Six Davao Writers,” by Ricardo M. de Ungria (UP Press); Best Anthology in a Philippine Language: “35 Kuwentong Klasiko,” (Adarna); Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Best Book of Poetry in English: “Maybe Something,” by Isabela Banzon (UP Press); Best Book of Poetry in Filipino: “Mula Tarima Hanggang at Iba Pang Mga Tula at Awit,” by Ericson Acosta (UP Press); Best Book of Literary Criticism/Literary History in English: “Past Mountain Dreaming: New Essays” by Gemino H. Abad (UP Press); Best Book of Graphic Literature in English: “Kare-Kare Komiks,” by Andrew Drilon (Adarna); Best Book of Graphic Literature in Filipino: “News Hardcore! Hukbong Sandatahan ng Kahaggardna!,” by Manix Abrera (Visprint); Best Book of Wordless Graphic Literature: “Light,” by Rob Cham (Adarna); Best Translated Book: “Sa Atong Dila: Introduction to Visayan Literature,” by Merlie M. Alunan (UP Press); Best Book of Food: “Panaderia: Philippine Bread, Biscuit and Bakery Traditions,” by Amy A. Uy and Jenny B. Orillos (Anvil); Victorio C. Valledor Prize for Best Book in the Professions: “Laws for Life,” by Gianna Reyes Montinola and Maria Victoria Rotor-Hilado (Anvil); Elfren S. Cruz for Best Book in the Social Sciences: “Tradition and Transformations: Studies on Cordillera Indigenous Culture,” by June Perill-Brett (Cordillera Studies Center); Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book in Art: Inabel: Philippine Textile from the Ilocos Region,” by Al M. Valenciano, Regalado Trota Jose, Norma A. Respicio, Michael F. Manalo, Hannah P. Cunanan, Rene E. Guatlo (ArtPostAsia Inc.); John C. Kaw Prize for Best Book in History: “Luzon at War: Contradictions in Philippine Society, 1898-1902,” by Milagros Camayon Guerrero (Anvil); Best Book of Journalism: Macli-ing Dulag: Kalinga Chief, Defender of the Cordillera,” by Ma. Ceres P. Doyo (UP Press); Best Book in Science: “The Cosmic Wild: Biology of Science Fiction,” by Ronald Cruz (ADMU Press); Best Book in Language Studies (Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino Prize): “Ambagan 2013: Mga Salita Mula sa Iba’t Ibang Wika sa Filipinas,” edited by Michael M. Coroza (UP Press); Best Design; “Roberto Chabet,” book design by B+C Design, Manila (King Kong Art Projects Unlimited, Inc.) Publisher of The Year: The University of the Philippines Press.
Founded in 1981, the Manila Critics Circle is a non-profit, non-stock organization of professional literary critics and newspaper columnists who believe that Philippine books deserve much more attention than they usually get from business, media and the general public. Current members are: Dean Francis Alfar, National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, National Artist for Literature Cirilo F. Bautista, Dean Francis Alfar, Juaniyo Arcellana, Roger J. Bresnahan, Alma Anonas-Carpio, Isagani R. Cruz, Ruel S. De Vera, Shirley O. Lua, Danton Remoto and Joel Pablo Salud. In 2008, the MCC entered into an agreement with the NBDB to institutionalize the National Book Awards with the NBDB to better honor Philippine publishers and authors.
