A comeback for the National Book Awards

All lovers of Philippine literature need not continue to wonder whatever has happened to the yearly National Book Awards (NBA), a collaborative endeavor between the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) and the National Book Development Board (NBDB). Did the pandemic successfully do away with it too? Nothing farther from the truth, in the same way that books endure forever under all circumstances.

It could not be held as usual because of the lockdown affecting not only the publishers’ offices but also that of the NBDB, the staff of both offices indispensable to the award-giving body. The process from nomination with the delivery of books to the strict requirement check to the categorizing of entries to the first and second deliberations of MCC and selected judges to the awards ceremony is, as can be imagined, not an easy process.

So, it is welcome news to hear that the NBA is alive and well, now going through deliberations for an early July awards ceremony to cover books published in 2019 and 2020. With the 280+ books nominated by publishers, it indicates that our authors, editors, translators, illustrators have been kept busy and have made productive use of lockdown time. Because two publishing years are covered, seven rather than the usual five titles are being selected for the shortlist or finalists. From this shortlist, one winner will be chosen at a final deliberation.

The books are classified in two major categories, literary and nonliterary, before they are grouped further into subcategories, so that books are carefully read and examined by judges who are undisputed experts in their respective fields. Out of all the books submitted, one will be selected for Best Design. Based on the number of winning titles of publisher, a Publisher of the Year is named.

The NBA, now on its 39th year, has a proud though humble history to speak of. First organized by respected writer and critic Isagani R. Cruz and a group of book lovers eager to draw deserved attention to titles by Filipino authors, it went on to become recognized and acknowledged by society, especially universities and colleges eager to know what are the best books to buy with their limited budgets for their libraries.

It encouraged Philippine writing and publishing, for the NBA recognition became a coveted one. Certainly, a boon for our authors who are never ever compensated enough. But alas, even until today, the cited titles are not always the bestselling titles, if one can even find the titles on our bookstore shelves, often a challenging hunt in itself.

As the NBA looks forward to its 40th year and beyond, it knows and is awed by the significance of its role, especially in these confused and perplexing times, when books are banned by government authorities from libraries, when historical events which we personally witnessed have become subject to debate, when our students are not prepared, not even for their productive distant futures, but for the next grade level.

I write this not only as a lover of books but one concerned with passing on that love and passion to the youth for their lifelong learning – the ultimate objective of education, we all have to be reminded. I remain committed to Philippine publishing and am in total admiration of our authors and other creatives who need to be flaunted to the rest of the world. Although it was my wife Neni in her former association with the NBDB who first broached the idea of my yearly sponsorship of the NBA for the Social Sciences category, I will continue on as my humble contribution to promoting literacy and scholarship in the country.

I am also happy a few of my other friends continue to be so committed with their own category award pledges: John C. Kaw, Victorio C. Valledor, Peter D. Garrucho, Ramon del Rosario Jr. (for Phinma), Miguel Tan in memory of his father, Don Pablo Tan, and Miguel Valencia and Jesus “Chito” Francisco, the latter two who are no longer with us but were sponsors in 2019.

This year’s Manila Critics Circle is headed by journalist and professor Ruel S. de Vera with members National Artist Virgilio S. Almario, Shirley Lua, Dean Francis Alfar, Alma Anonas Carpio, Danton Remoto.

I congratulate and commend NBDB chair Dante Francis Ang II who, I am proud to claim, was my student in my strategic management class in the De La Salle MBA program and executive director Charisse Aquino Tugade for continuing to support the NBA initiative. The Philippine book industry deserves all the support it can get.

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Our June Zoom specials: Adult Series session with public historian and columnist Ambeth R. Ocampo on “Writing the Past, the Present, the Future” on June 18, 10-11:30 a.m.

Young Writers’ Hangout on June 25 with literary editor Alma Anonas Carpio, 2-3 p.m.

In answer to inquiries, Write Things’ six-day summer workshop “Writefest” will have a second run on June 27, 29, July 1, 4, 6 & 8 (MWF), 3-4:30 pm.

Contact [email protected]. 0945.2273216

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