LIST: Winners of the 42nd National Book Awards
For bookworms eager to know the best of the best in Philippine literature, the National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics Circle have finally announced the winners of the 42nd National Book Awards (NBA).
This year, a total of 326 books were deliberated to find out which are the most outstanding book titles written, designed, and published in the Philippines. These were submitted across 31 categories consisting of four languages: English, Filipino, Bikol, and Ilokano.
Vin dela Serna Lopez's work, 1762: A Novel, was recognized as the Best Novel in English. It competed against The Awakening Volume One of Alamat, A History of the Awakened by Kadi Serafica, But for the Lovers by Wilfrido D. Nolledo, Specimen Zero: A Science Fiction Novel by Joel Pablo Salud, and Wild Song by Candy Gourlay.
Meanwhile, Teorya ng Unang Panahon by Edgar Calabia Sama reigned supreme in the Best Novel in the Filipino category against Hoy, Pong! by Macky Cruz and Materyales sa Komplisidad by Amado Anthony G. Mendoza III.
Below are the other winners for the 42nd National Book Awards:
Literary Division
- 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
- 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.
- Pablo A. Tan Prize for Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in English – Balik-Tanaw: The Road Taken by Soledad S. Reyes
- Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in Filipino – Patining at Iba Pang Sanaysay by Soliman A. Santos
- Best Anthology in English – Bordered Lives No More: The Humanities and the Post-COVID-19 Recovery by Dinah Roma (Editor)
- 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)
- Best Book of Literary Criticism/cultural Studies – Ang Bisa ng Pag-uulit sa Katutubong Panitikan by Alvin B. Yapan
- Best Book on Media Studies – Ang Mahaba’t Kagyat na Buhay ng Indie Sinema by Rolando B. Tolentino and Aristotle J. Atienza (Editors)
- Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Best Book of Poetry in English – It Is Time to Come Home: New & Collected Poems by Marjorie Evasco
- Victorio C. Valledor Prize for Best Book of Poetry in Filipino – Turno Kong Nokturno: Mga Bago at Piling Tula by Lamberto E. Antonio
- Best Graphic Novels and Comics in English – Sa Wala by Renren Galeno
- Best Graphic Novels and Comics in Filipino – Sining Killing by Randy Valiente
- Best Translated Book in English – Húbad: Ester Tapia by Ester Tapia, translated by Merlie M. Alunan
- Best Translated Book in Filipino – Palâisgën: Epikong-bayan ng mga Tagbanua ng Aborlan, Palawan by Paul D. Jagmis Sr., Chanted by Gem-Gem Bagued and Fernando Lingsan, narrated by Delia Jardinero, translated in Filipino by Paul D. Jagmis, Sr. and Mary Grace A. Jagmis, translated in English by Jonalyn B. Villarosa
- Best Translated Book in Ilokano – Ti Bassit a Prinsipe (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, translated by Cles B. Rambaud and Faye Q. Flores-Melegrito
- Best Book on Drama and Film – Lutong Bahay by Glecy Cruz Atienza
- Best Book of Short Fiction in Bikol – Kalatraban sa Alkawaraan by Niles Jordan Breis
- Best Book of Poetry in Bikol – Mayong Katapusan na Pabalon asin iba pang Huyon-Huyon: Mga Rawitdawit by Raul Giga Bradecina
Non-Literary Division
- Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Art – Julio Nakpil (1867-1960) Collected Works, Volume Two: Band and Orchestral Music by Maria Alexandra Iñigo Chua (Editor)
- Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in the Social Sciences – Plural Entanglements: Philippine Studies by Dada Docot, Stephen B. Acabado, and Clement C. Camposano (Editors)
- Best Book in Philosophy – Critical Theory at the Margins: Applying Herbert Marcuse’s Model of Critical Social Theory to the Philippines by Jeffry Ocay
- John C. Kaw Prize for Best Book on History – Tales of the Post-Plantation: Unlikely Protagonists of Modern Philippine Banana History by Robin Thiers
- Best Book on Humor, Sports, Lifestyle, and Business – Salumpuwit, Bangko, Silya, Atbp: Chairs in Filipino Life by Gerard Lico
- Best Book on Food – Heritage Dishes of the Philippines by Lady Camille L. de Guia
- 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
- Best Book in Spirituality and Theology – Babaylan Sing Back: Philippine Shamans and Voice, Gender, and Place by Grace Nono
- Best Book on Professions – A Cardiologist's Guide To Lowering High Blood Pressure by Alan S. Tenerife
- Hilarion and Esther Vibal Prize for Best Book in Journalism – View from the Foxhole: Shaping the Political into the Personal by Joel Pablo Salud
Design
- Best Book Design – Dogs in Philippine History by Ian Christopher B. Alfonso
The 42nd NBA coincides with the preparation of the Philippines as it makes history as the second Southeast Asian country to be chosen as Guest of Honour in 2025 at the world’s biggest book fair, the Frankfurter Buchmesse.
The winners will be awarded this November in the historic Intramuros in Manila.
