The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Filipino Critics Circle have announced the winners of the 43rd National Book Awards.
A total of 139 titles were selected as finalists out of 385 works submitted across 30 categories, including works in Filipino, English, Hiligaynon, and Kinaray-a.
Thirty titles ultimately received recognition this year.
The awarding ceremony is set for March 14, and will take place at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, in conjunction with the NBDB’s all-Filipino book fair, the Philippine Book Festival.
Here are the winners of the 43rd National Book Awards:
Literary Division
- Best Novel in English: “Isabela” by Kaisa Aquino, Ateneo de Manila University Press
- Best Novel in Filipino: “Antimarcos” by Khavn, Ateneo de Manila University Press
- National Artist Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English: “Sojourner, Settler, Seer” by Charlson Ong
- Gerardo P. Cabochan Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in Filipino: “Tatlong Proposisyon ng Puting Hangin” by Luna Sicat Cleto, Isang Balangay Media
- Pablo A. Tan Prize for Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in English: “Weaving Basey: A Poet’s History of Home” by Dinah Roma, Katig Writers Network Inc.
- Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in Filipino: “Tokhang at Iba Pang Nanlabang Sanaysay” by Vim Nadera, The University of the Philippines Press
- Best Anthology in English: “Mapping New Stars: A Sourcebook on Philippine Speculative Fiction” edited by Gabriela Lee, Anna Felicia Sanchez, and Sydney Paige Guerrero, The University of the Philippines Press
- Best Anthology in Filipino: “Ragasa: Apat na Dekada ng Pagsulong ng mga Kuwentistang Katha” edited by Rolando B. Tolentino, Romulo P. Baquiran Jr., Honorio Bartolome de Dios, and Francine Y. Medina, The University of the Philippines Press
- Best Book of Literary Criticism/Cultural Studies: “Ang Bayang Panitikan: Ang Pagtatanghal ng Kabanalan sa Pakil, Laguna” by Jerry C. Respeto, Ateneo de Manila University Press
- Best Book of Literary History: “Collected Essays I: Philippine Theater History and Genres” by Nicanor G. Tiongson, Ateneo de Manila University Press
- Best Book on Media Studies: “Disconnected Media and Other Essays” by Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr., De La Salle University Publishing House
- Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Best Book of Poetry in English: “With Decade” by Austere Rex Gamao, Grana-PH Book Publishing
- Victorio C. Valledor Prize for Best Book of Poetry in Filipino: “Landas sa Iláng” by Ronald Araña Atilano, Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA), Inc.
- Best Book of Poetry in Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a: “Humadapnon (Ginlawan): Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay, Book 8 Volume 4”, researched by Alicia Magos and Anna Razel Limoso-Ramirez, translated by a team led by Alicia Magos, chanted by Federico Caballero, The University of the Philippines Press
- Best Graphic Novel and Comics in English: “Lucia Dreaming”, written and illustrated by Lucia Asul, Adarna House
- Best Graphic Novel and Comics in Filipino: “Elipsis”, written by Ran Manansala, illustrated by Jose T. Gamboa, Istorya Studios, Inc.
- Best Translated Book: “Doña Perfecta”, written by Benito Pérez Galdós, translated by Wystan de la Peña, Ateneo de Manila University Press
- Best Book on Drama and Film: “Natal/National: Three Plays” by Guelan Varela-Luarca, Milflores Publishing, Inc.
Non-Literary Division
- Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Art: “Haegue Yang: The Cone of Concern” by Magdalen Chua, Joselina Cruz, Esther Lu, Leilani Lynch, Daisy Nam, Padmapani Perez, Haegue Yang, and June Yap, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Inc. and Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) Manila
- Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in the Social Sciences: “More Mindanawon Than We Admit: History, Culture, and Identity in the Philippine South”, edited by Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz, Vibal Foundation
- Best Book in Philosophy: “Towards a Mindanawon/Lumad Philosophy: The Filipino Philosophy of Bro. Karl Gaspar, CSSR” by Jerry D. Imbong, Aletheia Printing and Publishing House
- John C. Kaw Prize for Best Book on History: “Typhoons: Climate, Society, and History in the Philippines” by James Francis Warren, Ateneo de Manila University Press
- Best Book on Humor, Sports, and Lifestyle: “The Call to Lead: Ignatian Wisdom and the Journey of Leading” by Jake De Guzman, Ateneo de Manila University Press
- Best Book on Business: “Covering Nanay: The Philippine Microinsurance Journey” by Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, Lorenzo O. Chan Jr., and Pia Benitez Yupangco, The Bookmark, Inc.
- Best Book on Food: “Secret Kitchens of Samar (Volumes I to V)” by Clang Garcia, Province of Samar
- Best Book in Science: “Birds of Subic Bay” by Vinz Pascua, Birds in Focus, Inc.
- Best Book in Spirituality and Theology: “Discipleship for Today’s Filipino: Ang Calling ng Christian Para sa Bayan” by Rico Villanueva and Jayeel Cornelio, OMF Literature Incorporated
- Best Book on Professions: “The Road to Peace: Crafting the Bangsamoro Organic Law” by Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, self-published
- Hilarion and Esther Vibal Prize for Best Book in Journalism: “Carabeef Lengua” by Jose F. Lacaba, The University of the Philippines Press
Design
- Best Book Design: “Matayog na Puno: The Life And Art of Hugo C. Yonzon, Jr.” Design by Paula Yonzon, Yonzon Associates, Inc.
—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News
