“The NBA is an annual prize that honors the best book titles written, designed, and published in the Philippines.”
As we enter National Literature Month in a few days, let’s find out what’s new on the literary scene.
The Manila Critics Circle (MCC) and the National Book Development Board (NBDB) have announced the finalists of the 40th National Books Awards (NBA).
The NBA is an annual prize that honors the best book titles written, designed, and published in the Philippines.
It incentivizes and recognizes the production and publication of high quality books that spotlight local voices, topics, and themes of interest to the scholar, student, and general reader.
This milestone cycle of the NBA received 213 title nominations across 29 categories in three languages—English, Filipino, and Ilocano.
The categories are grouped into Literary, Non-Literary, and Design divisions, honoring not only authors but also cover designers and layout artists.
The awarding ceremony, the first to be held onsite after the pandemic, will be on May 13, 2023 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater.
Congratulations to all the finalists!
As a member of the MCC and one of the judges of this year’s NBA, I may say that this is a fine crop of books and would recommend them highly.
Most of the finalist presses have an online presence via their websites and/or e-commerce platforms, so please do go browse and buy.
Here are the finalists of the 40th NBA in the Literary Division.
As much as I want to share the full list here, I have to consider space limitations. See the full list on the NBDB website and Facebook page.
NOVEL (ENGLISH)
“Snakes in the Grass”—Patrick Everard, University of the Philippines (UP) Press; “The Secret of Derek Guerrero”—Mark Manalang, HS Grafik Print;
“The Small-but-Terrible Gina”—Weldon M. McCarty, UP Press; “White Lady, Black Christ”—Charlson Ong, Milflores Publishing, Inc.
NOVEL (FILIPINO)
“Isang Dekadang Resty”—Jov Ortua Almero, UP Press; “Asinkrono: Isang Nobela”—Mesándel Virtusio Arguelles, De La Salle University (DLSU) Publishing House; “Aswanglaut”—Allan N. Derain, Ateneo de Manila University (Ateneo) Press; “The Rain in España”—4REUMINCT, Precious Pages Corporation; “Kilapsaw”—Ellen Sicat, UP Press
SHORT FICTION (ENGLISH)
“Selected Short Stories”—Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Publishing House; “Brown Hole”—Israfel Fagela, UP Press; “Flowers for Thursday”—Mia Tijam, Ateneo de Naga University Press
SHORT FICTION (FILIPINO)
“Ang Huling Emotero”—Mark Angeles, UP Press; “Ang Itim na Orkidyas ng Isla Boracay”—Genevieve L. Asenjo, UP Press; “Tinagong Dagat”—Riza G. Babaran, UP Press; “Solo Flight”—Rita dela Cruz, Isang Balangay Media Productions;”Eksamen at Iba Pang Kuwento ng Pag-ibig”—U Z. Eliserio, UP Press
NONFICTION PROSE (ENGLISH)
“Is There Sex in Heaven?”—Simeon Dumdum, Jr., Ateneo Press; “What I Wanted to be When I Grew Up”—Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, UP Press; “Departures”—Priscilla Supnet Macansantos, UP Press; “Ascending the Fourth Mountain”—Maria Virginia Y. Morales, Ateneo Press; “In The Line of Fire”—Joel Pablo Salud, San Anselmo Publications, Inc.
NONFICTION PROSE (FILIPINO)
“Aishite imasu”—R P. Baquiran, Jr., UP Press; “Suóng”—Gerome Nicolas Dela Peña, 8Letters Bookstore and Publishing; “#Pasahero”—Joselito D. Delos Reyes, UST Publishing House; “Sa Yakap ng Gubat at Dagat ng Palawan”—John Iremil Teodoro, Pawikan Press
POETRY (ENGLISH)
“Tangere”—Rodrigo V. Dela Peña, Jr., UP Press; “Thorn Grass”—Luis H. Francia, UP Press; “College Boy”—Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta, Ateneo Press;
“Tokhang Nation”—Arvin Abejo Mangohig, UST Publishing House; “Poems from Ground Z”—Victor N. Sugbo, UP Press
POETRY (FILIPINO)
“Indi Natun Kinahanglan kang Duro nga Tinaga sa Atun Tunga”—Genevieve L. Asenjo, UP Press; “Sa Aking Pagkadestiyero”—Joi Barrios, UP Press; “Pasakalye”—Lean Borlongan, self-published; “Lunas sa Nabubuong Lubos”—Paul Alcoseba Castillo, UST Publishing House;
“Panaghoy/Pagtutol (Weeping, Resisting)”—Jun Cruz Reyes, UP Press;
“Tuwing Nag-Iisa sa Mapa ng Buntong-hininga”—Paolo Miguel G. Tiausas, UP Press
* * *
The Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. is now accepting entries to the 71st Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (CPMA), open to all Filipino citizens or former Filipino citizens of all ages.
Like last year, all submissions must be done online. Printed and email submissions will not be accepted. Authors may submit one entry to each of the following categories:
• English Division – Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry Written for Children, One-act Play, and Full-length Play;
• Filipino Division – Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata, Sanaysay, Tula, Tula Para sa mga Bata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula;
• Regional Languages Division – Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon, and Short Story-Ilokano.
In the Kabataan Division for young writers below 18 years old, informal or personal essays are being accepted for two categories:
• Kabataan Essay (English) with the theme “Emerging from the pandemic, what are the most pressing issues surrounding mental health among youth and how can society and government help in addressing these concerns for the growth and well-being of our younger generations?”
• Kabataan Sanaysay (Filipino) with the theme, “Sa pagsulong mula sa pandemya, ano ang mga pinakamabibigat na isyung pumapalibot sa kalusugan ng isip ng mga kabataan, at paano makatutulong ang lipunan at pamahalaan na tugunan ang mga ito para sa ikauunlad at ikabubuti ng ating mga nakababatang henerasyon?”
The deadline for submission of entries is on May 31, 2023. For the official contest rules and forms, visit the Palanca Awards website (http://www.palancaawards.com.ph/).
For other inquiries and concerns, email info@palancaawards.com.ph or call (632) 8843-8277 / (632) 8478-7996. Look for Ms. Leslie Layoso or Ms. Susan Castillo.
* * * Dr. Ortuoste is a board member of PEN Philippines, member of the Manila Critics Circle, and judge of the National Book Awards. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO
