The Ateneo University Press took home the most awards at the 42nd National Book Awards (NBA).
Photo: Ateneo University Press
On November 6, the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and Manila Critics’ Circle (MCC) announced the full list of winners. The renowned Ateneo University Press bagged seven wins.
The Ateneo Press received recognition in the following categories:
- Best Novel in English: 1762: A Novel by Vin Dela Serna Lopez
- Best Novel in Filipino: Teorya ng Unang Panahon by Edgar Calabia Samar
- Best Book of Literary Criticism/Cultural Studies: Ang Bisa ng Pag-uulit sa Katutubong Panitikan by Alvin B. Yapan
- Best Book in Spirituality and Theology: Babaylan Sing Back: Philippine Shamans and Voice, Gender, and Place by Grace Nono
- National Artist Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English: The Collected Stories of Gregorio C. Brillantes (Edited by Jonathan Chua)
- Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in the Social Sciences: Plural Entanglements: Philippine Studies (Edited by Dada Docot, Stephen B. Acabado, and Clement C. Campasano)
- John C. Kaw Prize for Best Book on History: Tales of the Post-Plantation: Unlikely Protagonist of Modern Philippine Banana History by Robin Thiers
Founded in 1972, the Ateneo de Manila University Press remains committed to publishing high-quality and well-written books in the Philippines and across Asia. The press has been named “Publisher of the Year” multiple times, including in 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023.
Meanwhile, other university presses also clinched awards. This includes the University of the Philippines Press (Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in Filipino), De La Salle University Publishing House (Pablo A. Tan Prize for Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in English), and University of Santo Tomas Publishing House (Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Art).
Earlier in September, the NBDB and MCC revealed the full list of finalists for this year’s awards, with 326 titles submitted across 31 categories in four languages: Filipino, English, Bikolano, and Ilokano.
The NBA is an annual award honoring the “most outstanding book titles written, designed, and published in the Philippines.” The 42nd NBA coincides with the Philippines’ upcoming role as the “Guest of Honour” at the 2025 Frankfurter Buchmesse, the world’s largest book fair.
The award ceremony will be held in Intramuros on November 23, 2024.
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