The Ateneo de Manila University Press was named Publisher of the Year at the 38th National Book Awards last Nov. 23 at the National Museum. Ateneo Press received seven awards, the most of any publisher. This was the third straight year Ateneo Press had been named Publisher of the Year. Handed out yearly by the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) and the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the National Book Awards recognized the best of the previous year’s locally published books. The 38th National Book Awards feted the best books published in 2018. The winners received cash prizes as well as trophies.
Inquirer comic artist Manix Abrera won the award for Best Book of Graphic Literature for “Kikomachine Komix! XIV: Alaala ng Kinabukasan,” published by Visprint Inc.
The complete list of winners: Literary Division: Best Novel in English: “The Betrayed: A Novel,” by Reine Arcache Melvin (Bughaw—Ateneo Press); Gerardo P. Cabochan Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in Filipino: “P’wera Bisita,” by Emmanuel T. Barrameda (Isang Balangay Media Productions); Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English: “Seekers of Spirits,” by Jude Ortega (The University of the Philippines Press); Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in Filipino: “Finding Teo: Tula/Talambuhay,” by Joselito D. delos Reyes (University of Santo Tomas Publishing House); Pablo A. Tan Prize for Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in English: “Honor: The Legacy of Jose Abad Santos,” by Desiree Ann Cua Benipayo (Philippine World War II Memorial Foundation Inc.); Best Book of Essays in Filipino: “56,” by Bob Ong (Visprint); PHINMA Foundation Inc. Prize for Best Anthology in English: “Voices on the Waters: Conversations with Five Mindanao Writers,” edited by Ricardo M. de Ungria (Bughaw—Ateneo Press); Chony Castillo Valencia Prize for Best Book of Literary Criticism/Literary History in English: “Interpreting Rizal: Did Padre Damaso Rape Pia Alba? Reticence, Revelation, and Revolution in Jose Rizal’s Novels/Daydreaming About Rizal and Tetcho on Asianism as Network and Fantasy,” by Caroline S. Hau (Bughaw—Ateneo Press); Victorio C. Valledor Prize for Best Book of Poetry in Filipino: “Walang Iisang Salita,” by Paul Alcoseba Castillo (UST Publishing House); Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Best Book of Poetry in English: “Drift,” by Joel H. Vega (UST Publishing House); Best Book of Graphic Literature: “Kikomachine Komix! Blg. XIV: Alaala ng Kinabukasan,” by Manix Abrera (Visprint); Best Translated Book: “Digmaan at Kapayapaan,” translated by Lamberto E. Antonio (Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino); Nonliterary Division: Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Art: “Cosmopolitanism, Theatre, and the Philippines: Performing Community in a World of Strangers,” by Sir Anril Pineda Tiatco (UP Press); Jesus P. Francisco Prize for Best Book on Professions: “Researching Philippine Realities: A Guide to Qualitative, Quantitative and Humanities Research,” by Jose Eos Trinidad (Bluebooks—Ateneo Press); Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in the Social Sciences: “Muni: Paglalayag sa Pamimilosopiyang Filipino,” by Jovito V. Cariño (UST Publishing House); John C. Kaw Prize for Best Book on History: “The Convents of Manila: Globalized Architecture During the Iberian Union,” by Pedro Luengo (Ateneo Press); Peter B. Garrucho Jr. Prize for Best Book of Journalism: “Rock Solid: How the Philippines Won its Maritime Case Against China,” by Marites Dañguilan Vitug (Bughaw—Ateneo Press); Best Book of Science: “Investing in the Unseen: Cases on Biodiversity Conservation (Sourcebook for Development Management),” by Benjamin C. Bagadion Jr. (Ateneo Press); Best Book Design: “El Periodismo Filipino 1811-1910: The First Century of Philippine Journalism Representing Vol. 3 of Aparato Bibliografico dela Historia General de Filipinas,” cover design by Ryan dela Cruz, layout by Jason Buan (Vibal Group Inc.); Publisher of the Year: Ateneo Press.
Founded in 1981, MCC is a nonprofit, nonstock organization of professional literary critics, book reviewers 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, Juaniyo Arcellana, Dean Francis Alfar, Alma Anonas-Carpio, Michael M. Coroza, Isagani R. Cruz, Ruel S. De Vera, Shirley O. Lua, Danton Remoto and Joel Pablo Salud. In 2008, MCC entered into an agreement with the NBDB to institutionalize the National Book Awards with the NBDB to better honor Philippine publishers and authors.