42nd National Book Awards winners named
The National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics Circle have announced the winners of the 42nd National Book Awards. The Awards is an annual prize that honors the most outstanding book titles written, designed, and published in the Philippines.
The 42nd iteration of the Awards has a total of 326 titles submitted across 31 categories consisting of four languages: English, Filipino, Bikol, and Ilokano. Following the awarding of winners during the 41st cycle last February, the 42nd cycle of the awards is set to be held this November in historic Intramuros in Manila.
The Awards coincides with the preparation of the Philippines as it makes history as the second Southeast Asian country to be chosen as guest of honor in 2025 at the world’s biggest book fair, the Frankfurter Buchmesse.
The official list of winners are as follows:
Literary Division
Best Novel in English: “1762: A Novel,” by Vin dela Serna Lopez, Ateneo de Manila University Press
Best Novel in Filipino: “Teorya ng Unang Panahon,” by Edgar Calabia Samar, Ateneo de Manila University Press
National Artist Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English: “The Collected Stories of Gregorio C. Brillantes,” by Gregorio C. Brillantes, Ateneo de Manila University Press
Gerardo P. Cabochan Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in Filipino: “Mga Kalansay sa Hardin ng Panginoon: Isang Koleksiyon ng Maikling Kuwento,” by Ronaldo Soledad Vivo Jr., self-published
Pablo A. Tan Prize for Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in English: “Balik-Tanaw: The Road Taken,” by Soledad S. Reyes De La Salle University Publishing House
Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in Filipino: “Patining at Iba Pang Sanaysay,” by Soliman A. Santos, The University of the Philippines Press
Best Anthology in English: “Bordered Lives No More: The Humanities and the Post-COVID-19 Recovery,” Dinah Roma (Editor), De La Salle University Publishing House
Best Anthology in Filipino: “Bata, Hiwaga, Bansa: Pamana ni Rene O. Villanueva sa Panitikang Pambata,” by Eugene Y. Evasco and Cheeno Marlo M. Sayuno (Editors), The University of the Philippines Press
Best Book of Literary Criticism/Cultural Studies: “Ang Bisa ng Pag-uulit sa Katutubong Panitikan,” by Alvin B. Yapan, Ateneo de Manila University Press
Best Book in Media Studies: “Ang Mahaba’t Kagyat na Buhay ng Indie Sinema,” by Rolando B. Tolentino and Aristotle J. Atienza (Editors), The University of the Philippines Press in collaboration with QCinema International Film Festival
Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Best Book of Poetry in English: “It Is Time to Come Home: New & Collected Poems,” by Marjorie Evasco, Milflores Publishing Inc. and De La Salle University Publishing House
Victorio C. Valledor Prize for Best Book of Poetry in Filipino: “Turno Kong Nokturno: Mga Bago at Piling Tula,” by Lamberto E. Antonio, The University of the Philippines Press and UP Institute of Creative Writing
Best Graphic Novels and Comics in English: “Sa Wala,” written and illustrated by Renren Galeno, Komiket Inc.
Best Graphic Novels and Comics in Filipino: “Sining Killing,” written and illustrated by Randy Valiente, Komiket Inc.
Best Translated Book in English: “Húbad: Ester Tapia,” by translator Merlie M. Alunan; author Ester Tapia, The University of the Philippines Press and UP Institute of Creative Writing
Best Translated Book in Filipino: “Palâisgën: Epikong-bayan ng mga Tagbanua ng Aborlan,Palawan,” translators in Filipino: Paul D. Jagmis Sr. and Mary Grace A. Jagmis; research by Paul D. Jagmis Sr., chanted by Gem-Gem Bagued and Fernando Lingsan, narrated by Delia Jardinero, and translated in English by Jonalyn B. Villarosa, National Commission for Culture and the Arts
Best Translated Book in Ilokano: “Ti Bassit a Prinsipe (The Little Prince),” translators, Cles B. Rambaud and Faye Q. Flores-Melegrito; author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Southern Voices Printing Press
Best Book on Drama and Film: “Lutong Bahay,” by Glecy Cruz Atienza, Sentro ng Wikang Filipino-Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman
Best Book of Short Fiction in Bikol: “Kalatraban sa Alkawaraan,” by Niles Jordan Breis, Ateneo de Naga University Press
Best Book of Poetry in Bikol: “Mayong Katapusan na Pabalon asin iba pang Huyon-Huyon: Mga Rawitdawit,” by Raul Giga Bradecina, Ateneo de Naga University Press
Non-Literary Division
Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Art: “Julio Nakpil (1867-1960) Collected Works, Volume Two: Band and Orchestral Music,” editors Maria Alexandra Iñigo Chua, University of Santo Tomas Publishing House
Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in the Social Sciences: “Plural Entanglements: Philippine Studies,” editors, Dada Docot, Stephen B. Acabado, and Clement C. Camposano, Ateneo de Manila University Press
Best Book in Philosophy: “Critical Theory at the Margins: Applying Herbert Marcuse’s Model of Critical Social Theory to the Philippines,” by Jeffry Ocay, Aletheia Printing and Publishing House
John C. Kaw for Best Book on History: “Tales of the Post-Plantation: Unlikely Protagonists of Modern Philippine Banana History,” by Robin Thiers, Ateneo de Manila University Press
Best Book on Humor, Sports, Lifestyle and Business: “Salumpuwit, Bangko, Silya, Atbp: Chairs in Filipino Life,” by Gerard Lico, Arc Lico International Services and University of the Philippines College of Architecture
Best Book on Food: “Heritage Dishes of the Philippines,” by Lady Camille L. de Guia, Vibal Group Inc.
Best Book in Science: “Wild City: A Photographic Guide to Amphibians, Mammals, and Reptiles of Metro Manila,” by Jelaine Gan, Trinket Constantino, and Abby Favis, The University of the Philippines Press
Best Book in Spirituality and Theology: “Babaylan Sing Back: Philippine Shamans and Voice, Gender, and Place,” by Grace Nono, Ateneo de Manila University Press
Best Book on Professions: “A Cardiologist’s Guide To Lowering High Blood Pressure,” by Alan S. Tenerife, Self-Published
Hilarion and Esther Vibal for Best Book in Journalism: “View from the Foxhole: Shaping the Political into the Personal,” by Joel Pablo Salud, The University of the Philippines Press
Best Book on Design: “Dogs in Philippine History,” by author and designer Ian Christopher B. Alfonso, Philippine Historical Association, Project Saysay Inc., and Alaya Publishing
