The National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics Circle recently hosted the culminating ceremony for the 34th National Book Awards (NBA), recognizing and celebrating the best books published in 2014. The official ceremony was held on December 5, 2015 at the Old Senate Session Hall, National Museum of the Philippines, Ermita, Manila. NBDB Chair Ms. Flor Marie Sta. Romana-Cruz and MCC Chair Dr. Isagani R. Cruz were present to award the winners with trophies created by sculptor Mulawin Abueva. The following is the list of 34th NBA winners for best books published in 2014:
Artline Highlighters Prize for Best Book of Non-Fiction in English
Ramon Obusan: Philippine Folkdance and Me, by Kanami Namiki, Anvil Publishing Inc.
Juan C. Laya Prize for Best Novel in a Philippine Language
Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon, by Edgar Calabia Samar, Adarna House, Inc.
Juan C. Laya Prize for Best Novel in a Foreign Language
Dwellers, by Eliza Victoria, Visprint, Inc.
Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English
Wonderlust, by Nikki Alfar, Anvil Publishing Inc.
Best Book of Essays in Filipino
iStatus Nation, by Joselito Delos Reyes, Visprint, Inc.
Best Book of Essays in English
Cherry Blossoms in the Time of Earthquakes and Tsunami, by Rey Ventura, Ateneo de Manila University Press
Best Anthology in Filipino
Ang Labingtatlong Pasaway, by Jun Cruz Reyes, Visprint, Inc.
Best Anthology in English
Agam: Filipino Narratives on Uncertainty and Climate Change, edited by Regina Abuyuan, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities
Clodualdo del Mundo Sr. Prize for Best Book of Literary Criticism / Literary History in Filipino
Talab: Mga Sanaysay sa Panitikan, Wika, at Pagtuturo, by Rebecca T. Añonuevo, Ateneo de Naga University Press
Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta Prize for Best Book of Literary Criticism / Literary History in English
The Postcolonial Perverse Critiques of Contemporary Philippine Culture vol. 1, by J. Neil C. Garcia, The University of the Philippines Press
Best Book of Poetry in a Philippine Language other than Hiligaynon or Kinaray-a
Kundiman sa Gitna ng Karimlan, by E. San Juan, The University of the Philippines Press
Best Book of Poetry in Hiligaynon or Kinaray-a
Tikum Kadlum: Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Book 1, by Federico “Tuohan” Caballero, Teresita “Abyaran” Caballero-Castor, and Alicia P. Magos, The University of the Philippines Press
Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Best Book of Poetry in English
Hidden Codex: Fictive Scriptures, by Jose Marte A. Abueg, University of Santo Tomas Publishing House
Time’s Enchantment and Other Reflections, by Marne Kilates, Ateneo de Naga University Press
Best Book of Graphic Literature in Filipino
Tabi Po (Isyu 1), by Mervin Malonzo, Visprint, Inc.
Best Book of Graphic Literature in English
Rodski Patotski: Ang Dalagang Baby, by Gerry Alanguilan (story) and Arnold Arre (illustration), Meganon Comics Publishing House
Best Book of Wordless Graphic Literature
14, by Manix Abrera (writer and illustrator), Visprint, Inc.
Best Translated Book
The Manila Synod of 1582: The Draft of Its Handbook for Confessors, translated by Paul A. Dumol, Ateneo de Manila University Press
Best Book on Food
Country Cooking: Philippine Regional Cuisines, by Michaela Fenix, Anvil Publishing Inc.
Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in Social Sciences
Rido: Clan Feuding and Conflict Management in Mindanao, edited by Wilfredo Magno Torres III, Expanded Edition, Ateneo de Manila University Press
Victorio C. Valledor Prize for Best Book in the Professions
The Adventures of a PR Girl, by Bettina Rodriguez-Olmedo, Anvil Publishing Inc.
Best Book in Leisure
Buti Pa Ang Roma, May Bagong Papa, by Noreen Capili, Anvil Publishing Inc.
Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Art
Journey of a Thousand Shuttles, The Philippine Weave, by Norma Absing Respicio, National Commission for Culture and the Arts
Pilipinas Shell Prize for Best Book in Science
Birds of Cebu and Bohol Philippines, by Nilo Arribas Jr., Bobby Kintanar, and Raul Benjamin Puentespina, University of San Carlos Press
John C. Kaw Prize for Best Book in History
Sakdalistas’ Struggle for Philippine Independence, 1930-1945, by Motoe Terami-Wada, Ateneo de Manila University Press
Best Book of Journalism
Vantage Point: The Sixth Estate and Other Discoveries, by Luis V. Teodoro, The University of the Philippines Press
Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino Prize for Best Book in Language Studies
Ambagan 2011: Mga Salita Mula sa Iba’t Ibang Wika sa Filipinas, by Michael M. Coroza and Galileo S. Zafra, The University of the Philippines Press
Best Design
The Manila Synod of 1582: The Draft of Its Handbook for Confessors, designed by Karl Fredrick M. Castro, Ateneo de Manila University Press
Publisher of the Year
Visprint, Inc.
This year’s NBA board of judges is composed of literary critics and writers, Isagani R. Cruz, Ruel S. de Vera, Dean Francis Alfar, Joel Pablo Salud, Shirley Lua, and Alma Anonas-Carpio from the MCC; Alice Sun-Cua, travel writer and medical doctor as the MCC-appointed judge for Hiligaynon/Kinaray-a Language category; and NBDB-appointed judges Rogelio Mangahas, poet and writer; Priscelina Legasto, editor, writer, and Professor at University of the Philippines Diliman; Charlson Ong, fictionist and Professor at University of the Philippines Diliman; Nerisa del Carmen Guevara, writer and Professor at the University of Santo Tomas; Allan Popa, writer and Professor at the Ateneo de Manila University; Leoncio Deriada, writer and Professor at the University of the Philippines Visayas; Gary Devilles, author and Ateneo de Manila University professor; Emil Francis Flores, Assistant Professor at University of the Philippines Diliman; Jose Wendell Capili, writer and Professor at the College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines Diliman; Guillermo Ramos, graphic designer and Editor-in-Chief of Rustan’s SansRival Magalogue; Grace Gorospe-Jamon, Professor at the Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines Diliman; Ma. Mercedes Planta, Associate Professor at the Department of History, University of the Philippines Diliman and Deputy Director at Third World Studies Center, UP; Joselito Zulueta, editor and National Secretary of the Philippine Center of International PEN; Felipe Jocano Jr., Assistant Professor at the Department of Anthropology, University of the Philippines Diliman; Ruben de Jesus, artist and Associate Professor of UP College of Fine Arts; Ma. Luisa C. Delayco, Dean of Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University; Timothy Dacanay, playwright and Chairman of Design Foundation Department, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde; Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, publisher and writer; and Marco Nemesio Montaño, chemical scientist and Professor at the Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman