The Ateneo de Manila University Press was named Publisher of the Year at the 36th National book Awards (NBA) last December 2 at the National Museum. ADMU Press received eight awards, the most of any publisher. Handed out yearly by the Manila Critics Circle and the National Book Development Board, the NBA recognizes the best of the previous year’s locally published books. The winners received cash prizes as well as trophies.
The complete list of winners: Literary Division:
Best Novel in English: “The Music Child and the Mahjong Queen,” by Alfred A. Yuson (Anvil Publishing, Inc.); Novel in Filipino: “Toto O.,” by Charmaine Lasar (PageJump Media); Cirilo F. Bautisa Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English: “Mariposa Gang and Other Stories,” by Catherine Torres (University of Santo Tomas Publishing House); Gerardo P. Cabochan Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in Filipino: “Sangkatauhan Sangkahayupan: Mga Kuwento,” by Alvin B. Yapan (ADMU Press); Pablo A. Tan Prize for Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in English: “Marcos Martial Law: Never Again,” by Raissa Robles (Filipinos for a Better Philippines); Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in Filipino: “Sulyap sa Aking Pinanggalingan,” by Roque J. Ferriols, SJ (ADMU Press); Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Best Book of Poetry in English: “Snail Fever: Poems of Two Decades,” by Francis C. Macansantos (The University of the Philippines Press); Best Book of Poetry in Filipino: “Banayad: Mga Tula,” by Rowena P. Festin (UP Press); Best Book of Poetry in Waray: “Taburos Han Dagat,” by Victor N. Sugbo (UP Press); Best Anthology in English: “Remembering/Rethinking EDSA,” JPaul S. Manzanilla & Caroline S. Hau (Anvil); Best Anthology in Filipino: “Batang Rizal at Iba Pang Dula,” by Christine Bellen (ADMU Press); Best Anthology in Waray: “Susmaton: Oral Narratives of Leyte,” by Merlie M. Alunan (ADMU Press); Best Book of Graphic Literature: “Meläg,” by Bong Redila (Adarna House, Inc.); Best Book of Literary Criticism/Literary History: “Migrations and Mediations: The Emergence of Southeast Asian Diaspora Writers in Australia 1972-2007,” by Jose Wendell P. Capili (UP Press); Best Book of Essays in English: “To the People Sitting in Darkness… and Other Footnotes of Our Pasts,” by Jose Victor Torres (UST Publishing House); Best Book of Translation: “Shri-Bishaya,” by Ramon Muzones and Maria Cecilia Locsin-Nava (New Day Publishers)
Non-Literary Division:
Food: “Philippine Food, Cooking, and Dining Dictionary,” by Edgie Polistico (Anvil); John C. Kaw Prize for Best Book in History: “Feeding Manila in Peace and War, 1850-1945,” by Daniel F. Doeppers (ADMU Press); Best Book of Science: “A Field Guide to Flight: Identifying Birds on Three School Grounds,” by Amado C. Bajarias, Jr. (ADMU Press); Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in Social Sciences: “Out of the Shadows: Violent Conflict and the Real Economy of Mindanao,” by Francisco J. Lara Jr. and Steven Schoofs (ADMU Press); Best Book of Journalism: “Peryodismo sa Bingit: Mga Naratibong Ulat sa Panahon ng Digmaan at Krisis,” by Roland A. Guda (UP Press); Best Book of Leisure: “Pinoy Manners: A Modern Guide to Delicadeza for All Generations,” by Joy Lumawig-Buensalido (Christine Jocelyn Buensalido); Victorio C. Valledor Prize for Book Book in Professions: “Gusto Kong Maging Voice Talent: Mga Sikreto sa Likod ng Dubbing, Voice-over at Voice Acting,” by Pocholo Gonzales (PSICOM Publishing Inc.); Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Art: “Eiga: Cinema in the Philippines During World War II,” by Nick Deocampo (Anvil); Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino Prize for Best Book on Language Studies: “Capampangan Roots,” by Papa Osmubal (Oscar Balajadia) (Holy Angel University Press); Best Design: “Colonial Manila, 1909-1912,” Designed by Karl Fredrick M. Castro (ADMU Press); Publisher of the Year: Ateneo de Manila University 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: National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, National Artist for Literature Cirilo F. Bautista, Dean Francis Alfar, 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.