NBDB and MCC announce winners of the 27th National Book Awards

from NBDB website

Bikolano writers. (L-R) Jun Balde, Vic Nierva, Marne Kilates, Danton Remoto, and Kristian Cordero.

The best published books of 2007 were given special recognition when the National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics Circle announced the winners of the 27th National Book Awards last November 15 at the Yuchengco Museum.

The Ateneo de Manila University Press bagged the Publisher of the Year Award. Among the writers who won awards for their books published in the Philippines in 2007 were Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Senator Juan Flavier, Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, Conrad de Quiros, Fr. Joaquin Bernas, and Tony Perez.

This year’s trophies were designed by young sculptor Glenn Cagandahan.

List of Winners

Anthology. Cordillera in June: Essays Celebrating June Prill-Brett, Anthropologist, edited by B. P. Tapang (UP Press); Mga Piling Dulang Mindanao, Unang Aklat, edited by Arthur P. Casanova (UST Publishing House).

Art & Best Designed Book. Salvador F. Bernal: Designing the Stage, by Nicanor G. Tiongson, designed by Brian Tenorio (NCCA).

Biography/Autobiography. From Barrio to Senado: An Autobiography, by Juan M. Flavier; Legends & Adventures, by Carmen Guerrero Nakpil (Circe Communications); Maria Kalaw Katigbak: A Charmed Life, by Monina Allarey Mercado (Anvil).

Children's Literature. The Boy Who Touched Heaven / Ang Batang Humipo sa Langit, by Iris Gem Li, translated by Roberto Añonuevo (CANVAS and Adarna House).

Drama. Tatlong Paglalakbay: Isang Trilohiya ng Mahahabang Dula, by Tony Perez (UST Publishing House).

Essay/Creative Nonfiction. Pagmumuni-muni at Pagtatalak ng Sirenang Nagpapanggap na Prinsesa: Mga Piling Maikling Sanaysay, by J. I. E. Teodoro (Imprenta Igbaong); Tongues on Fire, by Conrado de Quiros (Anvil).

Fiction. Mga Gerilya sa Powell Street, by Benjamin Pimentel (ADMU Press).

History. Kolonyal na Patakaran at Nagbabagong Kamalayang Filipino: Musika sa Publikong Paaralan sa Pilipinas, 1898-1935, by Raul C. Navarro (ADMU Press); The Saga of La Naval: Triumph of a People’s Faith, edited by Lito B. Zulueta (Dominican Province of the Philippines).

Journalism. The Rulemakers: How the Wealthy and Well-Born Dominate Congress, by Sheila S. Coronel, Yvonne T. Chua, Luz Rimban, and Booma B. Cruz (Anvil).

Law. A Living Constitution: The Troubled Arroyo Presidency, by Joaquin G. Bernas SJ (ADMU Press).

Literary Criticism. Sipat Kultura: Tungo sa Mapagpalayang Pagbabasa, Pag-aaral at Pagtuturo ng Panitikan, by Rolando B. Tolentino (ADMU Press).

Medicine. Bone Tumors in Filipinos: A Collection of 876 Cases from the University of the Philippines Philippine General Hospital, by Edward H. M. Wang and Ariel Vergel de Dios (Bookmark).

Poetry. Antisipasyon asin iba pang Rawitdawit sa Bikol asin Ingles / Anticipation and Other Poems in Bikol and English, by Victor Dennis T. Nierva, translated by Marne L. Kilates and H. Francisco V. Peñones Jr. (Goldprint); Mostly in Monsoon Weather: Poems New & Revisited, by Marne L. Kilates (UP Press); Passages: Poems, 1983-2006, by Edgar B. Maranan (Bookmark).

Sciences. Living with Nature in Our Times, by Abercio V. Rotor (UST).

Social Sciences. Colonial Pathologies: American Tropical Medicine, Race, and Hygiene in the Philippines, by Warwick Anderson (ADMU Press); The Dynamics of Regional Development: The Philippines in East Asia, edited by Arsenio M. Balisacan and Hal Hill (ADMU Press).

Theology & Religion. Investing in Miracles: El Shaddai and the Transformation of Popular Catholicism in the Philippines, by Katharine L. Wiegele (ADMU Press).

Translation. Lagalag sa Nanyang, translated by Joaquin Sy from Nanyang Piaoliuji, by Bai Ren (UP Press).

Travel. Baler, Aurora, by Edgardo J. Angara, Jesus T. Peralta, Domingo Madulid, Jose Maria A. Cariño, Xavier Brisset, Enrique Quezon Avanceña, Manuel L. Quezon III, Ricardo T. Jose, and Juan Edgardo M. Angara (Rural Empowerment Assistance and Development Foundation).

Publisher of the Year. Ateneo de Manila University Press

A citation was given to Vocabulary of the Kapampangan Language in Spanish and Dictionary of the Spanish Language in Kapampangan, translated by Venancio Q. Samson from Vocabulario de Pampango en Romance, y Diccionario de Romance en Pampango (1732), by Diego Bergaño (Holy Angel University Press).

The finalists were chosen by the following professional organizations and academic institutions: American Hospitality Academy, Ateneo Institute of Literary Arts and Practices, Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center, DLSU Business Management Department, DLSU Department of Communications, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting, NBDB, National Historical Institute, Philippine Economics Society, University of Asia and the Pacific Filipino Department, UP Institute of Creative Writing, UP College of Fine Arts, UP Department of Psychology, UP-NCPAG, UP-NISMED, Philippine Literary Arts Council, Philippine Travel Agencies Association, and Women’s Studies Association of the Philippine.

The winners were chosen jointly by the Manila Critics Circle and the National Book Development Board’s appointed judges. Aside from members of the Manila Crtiics Circle, the following were the NBDB’s appointed judges per category: Dr. Mario Miclat (Anthology), Cid Reyes (Art/Architecture), Dr. Priscelina Legasto (Biography/Autobiography), Usec. Elmer Hernandez (Business and Economics), Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz (Children’s Literature), Chef Richard Cordova (Cook Books and Food), Alvin Yapan (Drama), Dr. Nona Ricafort (Education), Wendell Capili (Essay), Jun Cruz Reyes (Fiction in a Vernacular Language), Charlson Ong (Fiction in a Foreign Language), Prof. Ambeth Ocampo (History), Malou Mangahas (Journalism), Ret. Supreme Court Justice Santiago Kapunan (Law), Dr. Pamela Constantino (Linguistics), Prof. Gary Devilles (Literary Criticism), Dr. Francisco Altarejos (Medicine), Dr. Gemino Abad (Poetry), Dr. Merle Tan (Science), Dr. Zosimo Lee (Social Science), Quinito Henson (Sports), Dr. Dennis Gonzalez (Theology and Religion), Marne Kilates (Translation), Emily Abrera (Travel), and Francisco Doplon (Design).

The 27th National Book Awards is sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Yuchengco Museum, Manila Bulletin, Galerie Joaquin, Fuji Xerox, and Senator Mar Roxas.

Bikolanos in National Book Awards

from Isagani R. Cruz's blog, appeared in his column "Mini-critiques" in The Philippine Star, Thursday, 23 October 2008

(Marne Kilates (Poetry), Luis Cabalquinto (Poetry), Kristian Cordero (Poetry), Vic Nierva (Poetry), Andrew Recepcion (Theology), Agnes Brazal (Theology), and Joaquin Bernas SJ (Law) are Bikolanos.)

According to the Manila Critics Circle and the National Book Development Board, these are the finalists for the National Book Awards for books published in 2007:

ANTHOLOGY. A la Carte, edited by Cecile Manguerra Brainard and Marily Ysip Orosa; At Home in Unhomeliness, edited by J. Neil C. Garcia; Best Filipino Stories, edited by Gemino H. Abad and Gregorio C. Brillantes; Cordillera in June, edited by B. P. Tapang; Ang Dagling Tagalog, 1903-1936, edited by Rolando B. Tolentino and Aristotle Atienza; Mga Piling Dulang Mindanao, edited by Arthur P. Casanova; Very Short Stories for Harried Readers, edited by Vicente Garcia Groyon.

ART / ALFONSO T. ONGPIN PRIZE. Philippine Church Façades, by Pedro G. Galende, OSA; Pinoy Dressing, by Barge Ramos; Salvador F. Bernal, by Nicanor G. Tiongson.

BIOGRAPHY / AUTOBIOGRAPHY. From Barrio to Senado, by Juan M. Flavier; Legends & Adventures, by Carmen Guerrero Nakpil; A Man and His Music, by Angel M. Peña; Maria Kalaw Katigbak, by Monina Allarey Mercado.

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE. The Boy Who Touched Heaven / Ang Batang Humipo sa Langit, by Iris Gem Li, translated by Roberto Añonuevo; Dalawang Bayani ng Bansa, by Rene O. Villanueva; Sampu Pataas, Sampu Pababa, by Russell Molina; Tight Times, by Jeanette C. Patindol.

COOKBOOKS AND FOOD. Cooking for Health, by Cris C. Abiva, Luz S. Callanta, and Atel E. Jazmines; An Introduction to Coffee, by Pacita U. Juan and Ma. Regina S. Francisco.

DRAMA. Psychedelia Apocalypsis at Iba Pang Dula, by Nicolas B. Pichay; Tatlong Paglalakbay, by Tony Perez.

EDUCATION: Magaling ang Pinoy!, by Queena N. Lee-Chua, Ma. Isabel Sison-Dionisio, and Nerisa C. Fernandez.

ESSAY / CREATIVE NONFICTION. Into the Country of Standing Men, by Rey Ventura; Pagmumuni-muni at Pagtatalak ng Sirenang Nagpapanggap na Prinsesa, by J. I. E. Teodoro; Tongues on Fire, by Conrado de Quiros.

FICTION / JUAN C. LAYA PRIZE. Mga Gerilya sa Powell Street, by Benjamin Pimentel.

SHORT FICTION. The Kite of Stars & Other Stories, by Dean Francis Alfar.

HISTORY. Assembly of the Nation, by Manuel L. Quezon III, Jeremy R. Barns, Emmanuel A. Albano, Ricardo T. Jose, and Manuel F. Martinez; Forcing the Pace, by Ken Fuller; Kolonyal na Patakaran at Nagbabagong Kamalayang Filipino, by Raul C. Navarro; Occupation, by Benito J. Legarda Jr.; The Saga of La Naval, edited by Lito B. Zulueta.

JOURNALISM. Dateline Manila, by Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines; Exposé, by Boy Villasanta; The Rulemakers, by Sheila S. Coronel, Yvonne T. Chua, Luz Rimban, and Booma B. Cruz.

LAW. A Living Constitution, by Joaquin G. Bernas SJ.

LINGUISTICS. (Re)making Society, edited by T. Ruanni F. Tupas.

LITERARY CRITICISM. Ang Bayan sa Labas ng Maynila / The Nation Beyond Manila, by Rosario Cruz-Lucero; A Handbook of Philippine Folklore, by Mellie Leandicho Lopez; Sipat Kultura, by Rolando B. Tolentino.

MEDICINE. Bone Tumors in Filipinos, by Edward H. M. Wang and Ariel Vergel de Dios.

POETRY. Antisi*Pasyon asin iba pang Rawitdawit sa Bikol asin Ingles / Anticipation and Other Poems in Bikol and English, by Victor Dennis T. Nierva, translated by Marne L. Kilates and H. Francisco V. Peñones Jr.; Dissonant Umbrellas, by Angelo V. Suarez; Malagilion: Sonnets tan Villanelles, by Santiago B. Villafania; Mannahatta Mahal, by Luis Cabalquinto; Mostly in Monsoon Weather, by Marne L. Kilates; Passage, by Edgar B. Maranan; Pusuanon, by Kristian Sendon Cordero, translated by Marne L. Kilates and H. Francisco V. Peñones Jr.; Textual Relations, by Ramil Digal Gulle.

SCIENCES. Living with Nature in Our Times, by Abercio V. Rotor.

SOCIAL SCIENCES. Colonial Pathologies, by Warwick Anderson; The Dynamics of Regional Development, edited by Arsenio M. Balisacan and Hal Hill.

SPORTS. Sports @ Far Eastern University, by Manolo R. Iñigo, Mark Molina, and Gloria R. Aligada.

THEOLOGY & RELIGION. Body and Sexuality, edited by Agnes M. Brazal and Andrea Lizares Si; God’s Global Household, by Andrew Gimenez Recepcion; Investing in Miracles, by Katharine L. Wiegele.

TRANSLATION. Lagalag sa Nanyang, translated by Joaquin Sy from Nanyang Piaoliuji, by Bai Ren.

TRAVEL. Baler, Aurora, by Edgardo J. Angara, Jesus T. Peralta, Domingo Madulid, Jose Maria A. Cariño, Xavier Brisset, Enrique Quezon Avanceña, Manuel L. Quezon III, Ricardo T. Jose, and Juan Edgardo M. Angara; Iloilo, edited by Anita Feleo.

BEST DESIGN. Dissonant Umbrellas, designed by Angelo V. Suarez, Constantino Zicarelli, Keith Dador, Sandra Palomar, Mark Salvatus, Stephanie Yapnayon, Macy Cruz, Mike Mendoza, Julie Grafia, and Dwein Trahata Baltazar; Cebu, designed by Norrino C. Hernandez; Lola Puti, designed by Vanessa Tamayo; Pearl of the Orient, designed by Felix Mago Miguel; The Saga of La Naval, designed by Bong Bundag, Florentino Bolo OP, and Robbie Villegas; Salvador F. Bernal, designed by Brian Tenorio; Sol, designed by Farley del Rosario; Tight Times, designed by Sergio T. Bumatay III.

The book entitled Vocabulary of the Kapampangan Language in Spanish and Dictionary of the Spanish Language in Kapampangan will be given a citation.

Awarding Ceremonies will be on November 15, 2008, at the Yuchengco Museum, RCBC Plaza, Ayala cor. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City.

PTALB Writer of the Year is an Irigueño

by Jonas Cabiles Soltes ( from Bicol Mail), with additional information by Vic Nierva

Naga City—THE JURY of this year’s Premio Tomas Arejola para sa Literaturang Bikolnon (PTALB) have announced last Saturday the winners of Bicol Region’s premier literary prize.

Jonher A. Caneba of Iriga City shared the top prize in the poetry category with Jerome Hipolito of Calabanga, Camarines Sur, and Sonny Sendon of Iriga City with their collections of poems entitled Sa Pagtira asin iba pan mga rawitdawit, Pagbunag nin Paroy asin iba pan rawitdawit, and Vertigo, respectively.

Caneba was also proclaimed Writer of the Year. He wrote the script of Santigwar, a short film that won in the Quisumbing-Escandor Film Festival.

Sendon is a member of the writer’s guild of University of Sto. Tomas, and was a recipient of an honorable mention in the Maningning Miclat Poetry Prize.

Bicol Mail and Philippine Daily Inquirer journalist Juan Escandor Jr. of Sorsogon bested other contenders for the top prize in the fiction category with his short story Taon nin mga Ayam.

Only one one-act play, Natad kan Pagtiwala sa Pagkamoot by Richard D. Madrilejos of Tabaco City, is cited by the Premio Arejola this year. Madrilejos received an honorable mention for his work.

No entry was proclaimed winner in the essay category.

The finalists for the essay category are: Nata Bukol an Asenso sa Bikol by Filemon Baturiano, Jr. of Naga City, An Kontemporaryong Bicol: Sarong Pagsirip sa Kulturang Bikolnon by Raizsa-Daphne A. Benosa of Naga City and Agyat kan Modernong Panahon sa Kulturang Bikolnon by Fe Peralta of Pili, Camarines Sur.

Chosen from nearly thirty entries from all over Bicol and other parts of the country, the literary works were recognized last September 13 at the St. Vincent de Paul Auditorium of the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary in Naga City

Judges included Prof. Cyril Conde of Ateneo de Naga University, Prof. Jazmin Llana of Aquinas University, and anthologized poet Ben Escoto.

Winners of the top prizes each received P3,500 and a gold medallion.

Categories included poetry (rawitdawit), fiction (osipon), essay (saysay), playwriting (dula), stories for children (osipon na pan-aki), novel (nobela) and the honor of being named Writer of the Year (Parasurat kan Taon).

Sorsogon writer Reynaldo Jamoralin and Irish-American Jesuit Bikol Culture scholar Fr. James O'Brien SJ were honored with the PTALB Lifetime Achievement Award for their respective contributions to Bikol literature and studies.

To honor the 2010 Tercentenary of the Bikol Devotion to the Lady of Penafrancia, the Patroness of Kabikolan, the Premio Arejola opened a special poetry category for high school and elementary students. Joville Andrea P. Foliente of Ragay, Camarines Sur won the special category.

The literary prize is a partnership between the Naga City Junior Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Arejola Foundation for Social Respondibility.

5th Premio Tomas Arejola finalists named

by Kabulig-Bikol Writers Bureau

Three short stories, three essays, thirteen collections of poetry and a 1-act play are incontention for top honors in the 5th Premio Tomas Arejola para sa Literaturang Bikolnon (PTALB). 

This was announced recently by Carlos Arejola, chairman of the Bicol-wide literary competition widely-regarded in the literary circle as Bicol's premier literary prize.

The finalists:

Fiction

• “Duwang Bangging Kugos” by Jaime Jesus Borlagdan (Tabaco City)
  
• “Taon nin mga Ayam” by Juan Escandor, Jr. (Naga City)
  
• “Padyak” by Austin John M. Ortinero (San Jose, Camarines Sur)
  

Essay

• “Nata Bukol an Asenso sa Bikol” by Filemon Baturiano, Jr. (Naga City)
  
• “An Kontemporaryong Bicol: Sarong Pagsirip sa Kulturang Bikolnon” by Raizsa-Daphne A. Benosa (Naga City)
  
• “Agyat kan Modernong Panahon sa Kulturang Bikolnon” by Fe Peralta (Pili, Camarines Sur)
  

Poetry

• “Isyung Sosyal” by Ronnel I. Abarientos (Ocampo, Camarines Sur)
  
• “Sirit-sirit Bulong sa Pag-ngirit” by Filemon Baturiano, Jr.
  
• “Horror asin iba pan mga rawitdawit” by Raizsa-Daphne A. Benosa
  
• “Kanta kan Dai Nagtutunong na Uran” by Jaime Jesus Borlagdan
  
• “Sa Pagtira asin iba pan mga rawitdawit” by Jonher A. Caneba (Iriga City)
  
• “Pasil-Magduman-Maswerte asin iba pan mga rawitdawit” by Dan Albert L. Carino (Calabanga, Camarines Sur)
  
• “Langka asin iba pan mga rawitdawit” by Marcial Dogillo Espinola (Sorsogon City)
  
• “ Pagbunag nin Paroy asin iba pan rawitdawit” by Jerome M. Hipolito (Calabanga , Camarines Sur)
  
• “Iyabe sa Tuninong Nakua sa Pagdakop nin Hangos asin iba pan mga rawitdawit” by Frederick Maurice S. Lim (Tabaco City)
  
• “Rigmat na Kadikit” by Edwin V. Morales (Canaman, Camarines Sur)
  
• “Nagkapirang Tingog” by Nino Manaog, (Tinambac, Camarines Sur/Iloilo City)
  
• “Apatam” by Jereco Rebadeo (Calabanga, Camarines Sur)
  
• “Vertigo” by Sonny Sendon (Iriga City)
  

One-act Play

• “Natad kan Pagtiwala sa Pagkamoot” by Richard D. Madrilejos (Tabaco City) 
  

Chosen from nearly thirty entries from all over Bicol and other parts of the country, the said literary works will be honored on September 13, this year at the St. Vincent de Paul Auditorium of the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary in Naga City. The best entries, to be named in the said occasion, will receive P3,500 and the the PTALB gold medallion. A grand prize winner shall then be chosen from among the category winners and will be conferred the title, Parasurat kan Taon (Writer of the Year) and receive P10,000 cash. The cash prize is courtesy of the Naga City Jaycees currently headed by Alexis Fante. 

The said Jaycee chapter is behind the Rawitdawit para ki Ina category of this year's PTALB. This special poetry category, open exclusively to elementary, high school students and out-of-school youths aged 16 below, was launched in preparation for the 2010 Tercentenary of the Bikol devotion to the Lady of Penafrancia. The six finalists of this  special category are still being chosen as of press time but will likewise be honored in the said awarding ceremony. 

Kgwd. Bernadette Roco, chairperson of the Committee on Culture and the Arts of the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Naga, will be this year's keynote speaker. Kgwd Roco has initiated a number of cultural awareness projects recently, including the highly-successful Arts in the Heart of Bikol which aims to bring arts closer to the masses. The public is invited.

Albay boy’s drawing bests 1,676 worldwide

by Ephraim Aguilar (Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 31, 2008), photo from ShootNations

GUINOBATAN, Albay, Philippines—Bryle Napay’s mind is etched with memories of rainy days when he would set aside his black leather shoes and wade to school on slippers as floods would rise fast in their village in Camalig town.

These memories were what inspired Bryle, now 16, to join the Shoot Nations 2008 contest, where his drawing bested 1,676 entries from all over the world.

Shoot Nations, organized by Plan International and London-based Shoot Experience, is an annual photography and drawing contest, which encourages young people to express their thoughts on global issues.

It aims to use these art forms as tools for cross-cultural, language-free communication. Entries are sent online.

This year’s theme revolved around climate change, a global menace that has prompted advocates to launch worldwide campaigns on awareness and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

But Bryle’s drawing, which he finished in just a day using paint and oil pastel, conveyed a simple message out of “a hand holding a seedling.”

It was captioned, “Reminds me that we can still do small things before it’s too late.”

A newbie in outside-the-school drawing contests, Bryle, senior high school student at the Marcial O. Rañola Memorial School here, said he never thought his drawing would win as “Best Overall Drawing” in the all-age category.

Bryle’s winning entry will be printed for exhibition at the World Youth Congress in Quebec, Canada, for the United Nations International Youth Day 2008.

It is also posted on www.shootnations.org and was exhibited at the OXO Tower Gallery in London last Aug. 12 to 17.

Bryle said his awareness of the ill-effects of environmental degradation as experienced by his community vividly showed him the impacts of a changing climate.

“Since [my] kindergarten [days], our village had always been flooded,” he recalled.

This reality, Bryle said, made him easily understand that deeds as small as littering trash have greater effects on a larger population.

He said that as thousands of young people view his drawings, he wants to send a message of unity.

“If every one would contribute in small ways and with all our efforts, we can save mother earth,” he said.

He lamented that most of the so-called “wired generation,” or those born in the advent of mobile technology, have become passive of environmental issues.

“Even if there are environmental laws and education in schools, some young people would not really care. But this can change if the youth are properly educated,” he said.

Dream

Given the chance, he said, he would love to create cartoons, whose content advocates environmental protection.

“I want to make animé about climate change so the youth will be aware of this issue,” he said.

After winning the contest, Bryle said he was motivated to learn more about environmental issues.

Because of his Shoot Nations stint, Bryle received an invitation to become a young ambassador for climate change in the YouthXchange, a international campaign initiative on sustainable consumption and production.