UP Press named Publisher of the Year at National Book Awards

For the fourth time in its 51-year history, the University of the Philippines (UP) Press was named Publisher of the Year by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) after winning in a third of the 26 categories in the 35th National Book Awards.

In a statement released last week, the NBDB, the state-run agency that organizes the National Book Awards with the Manila Critics Circle (MCC), announced that nine nominated UP Press titles won in this year’s awards.

These are Recuerdos de Patay and Other Stories by literary critic and scholar Caroline S. Hau, for best book of short fiction in English; Re: Recollections, Reviews, Reflections by poet and essayist Luis H. Francis, for best essays in English; Habagatanon: Conversations with Six Davao Writers by poet Ricardo M. de Ungria, for best anthology in English; Maybe Something by Isabela Banzon, for best book of poetry in English; Mula Tarima Hanggang at Iba Pang mga Tula at Awit by Ericson Acosta, for best book of poetry in Filipino; Past Mountain Dreaming: New Essays by poet and critic Dr. Gémino H. Abad, for best literary criticism in English; Sa Atong Dila: Introduction to Visayan Literature by poet Merlie M. Alunan, for best translated book; Macli-ing Dulag: Kalinga Chief, Defender of the Cordillera, by journalist Ma. Ceres P. Doyo, for best book in journalism; and Ambangan 2013: Mga Salita Mula sa Iba’t Ibang Wika sa Filipinas, edited by poet Michael M. Coroza, for best book in language studies (Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino prize).

The UP Press previously earned the National Book Awards’ top prize in 1996, 2002 and 2010. Its current director is poet and critic Dr. J. Neil C. Garcia.

Another esteemed publisher, former Publisher of the Year Anvil Publishing Inc., saw five of its books win. They are Locust Girl: A Lovesong by Merlinda Bobis, for best novel in English; Arsenio H. Lacson of Manila by Amador F. Brioso Jr., for best book of nonfiction prose in English; Panaderia: Philippine Bread, Biscuit and Bakery Traditions, by Amy A. Uy and Jenny B. Orillos, for best book on food; Laws for Life by Gianna Reyes Montinola and Ma. Victoria Rotor-Hilado, for best book on professions; and Luzon at War: Contradictions in Philippine Society 1898–1902, for best book of history.

Best known as a publisher of children’s books, Adarna House Inc., triumphed in four categories: best novel in Filipino, for Edgar Calabia Samar’s Si Janus Silang at ang Labanáng Manananggal-Mambabarang; best anthology in a Philippine language, for 35 Kuwentong Klasiko; best book of graphic literature in English, for Andrew Drilon’s Kare-kare Komiks; and best book of graphic literature (wordless), for Rob Cham’s Light.

The last two titles were published under the Adarna House imprint Anino Comics.

Completing the list of winners are Sa Mil Flores, May Isang Hostes at Iba Pang Kwento ni Rosario de Guzman-Lingat (Ateneo de Manila University Press), edited by Soledad S. Reyes, for best book of short fiction in Filipino; Ang Autobiografia ng Ibang Lady Gaga (Visprint Inc.) by Jack Alvarez, for best book of nonfiction prose in Filipino; Titser Pangkalawakan at Iba Pang Angas sa Social Network Underworld (Visprint Inc.) by Joselito D. delos Reyes, for best essays in Filipino; News Hardcore! Hukong Sandatahan ng Kahaggardan (Visprint) by popular illustrator Manix Abrera, for best book of graphic literature in Filipino; Tradition and Transformation: Studies on Indigenous Culture (Cordillera Studies Center) by June Prill-Brett, for best book in the social sciences; Inabel: Philippine Textile from the Ilocos Region (ArtPostAsia Inc.) by Al M. Valenciano, Regalado Trota Jose, Dr. Norma A. Respicio, Michael F. Manalo, Hannah P. Cunanan and Rene E. Guatlo, for best book on art; The Cosmic Wild: Biology of Science Fiction (Ateneo de Manila University Press) by Ronald Cruz, for best book on science; and Robert Chabet (King Kong Art Projects Unlimited Inc.), edited by Ringo Bunoan and designed by B+C Design, for best book design.

The awarding ceremony for this year’s awards will be held at the National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of the Philippines complex, on November 26.

The National Book Awards was started in 1982 by the nonstock, nonprofit MCC, composed of professional literary critics, newspaper columnists and creative writers.

Its current members are poets and National Artists for Literature Virgilio S. Almario and Cirilo F. Bautista; novelist, dramatist and speculative-fiction advocate Dean Francis Alfar, Philippine Star columnists Juaniyo Arcellana and Isagani R. Cruz; Roger J. Bresnahan; Philippines Graphic editor-in-chief Joel Pablo Salud and associate editor Alma Anonas-Carpio; Philippine Daily Inquirer book critic Ruel S. de Vera; Dr. Shirley O. Lua of De La Salle University; and poet and new Manila Times College dean Danton Remoto.

Since 2008, the MCC has been giving the awards in partnership with the NBDB, which is tasked by the government to promote and support the the country’s book-publishing industry. ALVIN I. DACANAY