Philippine books to be proud of

A highlight of November, also known as Philippine Book Development Month, is the announcement and awarding of the best books published the previous year in the country, classified into several categories. Now on its 37th year, the National Book Awards of the Manila Critics Circle is a tradition that has immensely enriched our cultural lives, and have brought much needed attention to Filipino authors and the excellent books they write.

The idea of an annual book awards was the brainchild of author, journalist and professor Isagani R. Cruz, who founded the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) and invited kindred writers and readers to be the initial members, among them Fr. Miguel Bernad, SJ, Cirilo Bautista, Ophelia Alcantara-Dimalanta, Alfred Yuson, Doreen G. Fernandez, etc. All were professional literary critics and book reviewers. (Of course, as MCC members, their own books were automatically out of the running. They were already established writers by then, anyway).

The members talk of their early years when they would stealthily read and review copies right in the bookstores, as they had no clout yet to require multiple copies from publishers. They used to schedule the awards ceremonies during the Manila International Book Fair in September, and remember those good old days when their hastily mounted MCC logo would fall right in the middle of the ceremonies.

Despite their collective and individual stature as literary figures, the MCC members were finding it challenging year after year to “stage” their event.  Also, the Philippine publishing industry was growing, and the awards needed to be professionalized and institutionalized. That was when the National Book Development Board, seeing the value and the significance of the awards—a definite boost to readership—decided to partner with the MCC in administering the awards.

Today, 37 years later, Cruz, who stepped down as MCC chair for health reasons, is credited for his pioneering efforts and the legacy he has built. He was succeeded by Ruel de Vera, who judged this year’s harvest of titles along with MCC members Dean Alfar, National Artist Virgilio Almario, Shirley Lua and Alma Anonas Carpio, plus a pool of experts in their respective disciplines led by guest judges Jose Jowel Canuday, Rommel Rodriguez and Danilo Francisco Reyes.

There were 197 submitted books from 31   publishers, and only the most outstanding title for each category was selected. It was a most interesting experience to witness the discussion of the merits of the books one was rooting for. Why this title over the other? The candid exchanges were well thought out, sometimes heated, often hilarious and always lively.

The 23 award winners are titles to be proud of. But allow me to highlight three books which may be considered groundbreaking.

“Tinalunay: Hinugpong Nga Panurat Nga Winaray” by Merlie M. Alunan, UP Press, is the Best Anthology in English. It is a literary history and a collection of literature from Eastern Visayas.

“Bamboo Whispers,” featuring the traditional ambahan poetry of the Hanunuo Mangyan of Mindoro, is the Best Translated Book, carrying translations in English, Filipino and Spanish by Antoon Postma+, Resti R. Pitogo, Soledad Laviña, Sylvia Mayuga, Marne Kilates and Quintin Pastrana. It is published by The Bookmark Inc. and the Mangyan Heritage Center Inc.

“Dead Balagtas, Tomo 1: Mga Sayaw ng Dagat at Lupa,”  created by Emiliana Kampilan, Adarna House Inc., is a runaway Best Graphic Literature winner. It is amazing what the author has done with the genre, harnessing it to capture the history of the country from the earliest beginnings. The scope and the artistry leave one breathless. The work is not entirely hers, Kampilan acknowledges, as she admits to the influence of geology, history,  babaylans  and  komikeros  in her creation. The book was also adjudged the Best Design among all the books submitted.

Come to the awards ceremony at the National Museum on Saturday, Nov. 24, 6 p.m. A sure major attraction is the not-quite personal appearance of Emiliana Kampilan, who has chosen to maintain her anonymous persona with her signature bayong   mask. A celebrated writer and book designer can certainly do as she pleases.

Neni Sta. Romana Cruz (nenisrcruz@ gmail.com) is chair of the National Book Development Board and a member of the Eggie Apostol Foundation.