OFFICIAL LIST: The Finalists of the 42nd National Book Awards

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) are proud to announce the finalists of the 42nd National Book Awards (NBA).

An annual prize that honors the most outstanding book titles written, designed, and published in the Philippines, the National Book Awards celebrates the enterprising creative labor involved in book publishing. The 42nd National Book Awards coincides with the two-year preparation of the Philippines as it makes history as the second Southeast Asian country to be chosen as Guest of Honour in 2025 at the worldโ€™s biggest book fair, the Frankfurter Buchmesse.

For this cycle of the National Book Awards, a total of 326 titles were submitted across 31 categories consisting of four languages: English, Filipino, Bikol, and Ilokano. Following the awarding of winners during the 41st cycle last February 2024, the 42nd iteration of the awards is set to be held in November 2024.

Below is the full list of finalists for the 42nd National Book Awards.

LITERARY DIVISION

NOVEL (ENGLISH)

  1. 1762: A Novel
  2. The Awakening Volume One of Alamat, A History of the Awakened
  3. But for the Lovers
  4. Specimen Zero: A Science Fiction Novel
  5. Wild Song

Vin dela Serna Lopez Kadi Serafica

Wilfrido D. Nolledo Joel Pablo Salud

Candy Gourlay

Ateneo de Manila University Press

HS Grafik Print

Exploding Galaxies

San Anselmo Publications, Inc. Anvil Publishing, Inc.

NOVEL (FILIPINO)

  1. Hoy, Pong!
  2. Materyales sa Komplisidad
  • Teorya ng Unang Panahon

Macky Cruz

Amado Anthony G. Mendoza III Edgar Calabia Samar

19th Avenida Publishing House The University of the Philippines Press and UP Institute of Creative Writing

Ateneo de Manila University Press

SHORT FICTION (ENGLISH)

  1. Barcelona
  2. The Collected Stories of Gregorio C. Brillantes

Criselda Yabes Jonathan Chua (Editor)

19th Avenida Publishing House Ateneo de Manila University Press

SHORT FICTION (FILIPINO)

  1. 26: Dagli Diagrams
  • Mga Kalansay sa Hardin ng Panginoon: Isang Koleksiyon ng Maikling Kuwento
  • Mula Ilog at Iba Pang Kuwento
  • Pamalakaya
  • Pamarapara

Jayson Visperas Fajardo Ronaldo Soledad Vivo, Jr.

Romulo P. Baquiran Jr.

Arnold Matencio Valledor Arnold Matencio Valledor

Isang Balangay Media Productions

Self-published

The University of the Philippines Press and UP Institute of Creative Writing

Isang Balangay Media Productions

Isang Balangay Media Productions

NONFICTION PROSE (ENGLISH)

  1. Balik-Tanaw: The Road Taken
  • Daraga: Mirrors & Memory Essays
  • Everything Is Fiction: Essays
  • The Singing Detainee and the Librarian with One Book: Essays on Exile
  • Will You Happen, Past the Silence, through the Dark? Remembering Leonard Ralph Casper

Soledad S. Reyes Marne Kilates

Vicente Garcia Groyon Michael Beltran

Linda Ty-Casper

De La Salle University Publishing House

Savage Mind Publishing House

Ateneo de Manila University Press

Ateneo de Manila University Press

Ateneo de Manila University Press

NONFICTION PROSE (FILIPINO)

  1. Oas: Mga Sanaysay
  2. Patining at Iba Pang Sanaysay
  3. Virac: Tatlong Sanaysay

Abdon M. Balde Jr. Soliman A. Santos Emmanuel Barrameda

Savage Mind Publishing House The University of the Philippines Press

Savage Mind Publishing House

ANTHOLOGY  (ENGLISH)

  1. Bordered Lives No More: The Humanities and the

Post-COVID-19 Recovery

  • Route 55: 55-Word Workforce Narratives during the

COVID-19 Pandemic

Dinah Roma (Editor) Joey A. Tabula (Editor)

De La Salle University Publishing House

Alubat Publishing

  • Rx Narratives: Anthology of Creative Nonfiction of Filipino Internists

Joey A. Tabula, Noel P. Pingoy, and Sandra A. Tankeh-Torres (Editors)

Alubat Publishing

ANTHOLOGY  (FILIPINO)

  1. Anti-Katha: Agos sa Experimental na Kuwento sa Pilipinas
  2. Bata, Hiwaga, Bansa: Pamana ni Rene O. Villanueva sa Panitikang Pambata
  3. Bio(Lente): Mga Bagong Katha sa Danas ng Dahas at Banwa

Rolando B. Tolentino and Rommel B. Rodriguez (Editors)

Eugene Y. Evasco and Cheeno Marlo M. Sayuno (Editors)

Rolando B. Tolentino, German Villanueva Gervacio, and Januar Yap

The University of the Philippines Press and UP Institute of Creative Writing

The University of the Philippines Press

The University of the Philippines Press and UP Institute of Creative Writing

  • Ningning at Liwanag: Antolohiya Alma Cruz Miclat (Editor) ng 10 Nagwagi sa Gawad

Maningning Miclat Sa Tula (2003-2021)

Maningning Miclat Art Foundation, Inc. and Erehwon Artworld Corporation

  • Pintanaga: Linya-Linya ng Pagsinta

Joey A. Tabula (Editor)

Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), Inc.

LITERARY CRITICISM/CULTURAL STUDIES

  1. Ang Bisa ng Pag-uulit sa Katutubong Panitikan
  2. Everything is Realism: Essays on Narrative Craft
  3. Lualhati Bautista, Nobelista: Ang Mapagpalayang Sining ng Kababaihan sa Pilipinas
  4. Pagmangno: Woman, Nation, Ecology, Bikol

Alvin B. Yapan

Vicente Garcia Groyon

E. San Juan, Jr.

Paz Verdades M. Santos

Ateneo de Manila University Press

University of Santo Tomas Publishing House University of Santo Tomas Publishing House

De La Salle University Publishing House

MEDIA STUDIES

  1. Ang Mahabaโ€™t Kagyat na Buhay ng Indie Sinema
  • Martial Law Melodrama: Lino Brocka’s Cinema Politics
  • Sine Tala Volume 1: Philippine Cinema and History, Sine Tala Volume 2: Philippine Cinema and Culture, and Sine Tala Volume 3: Philippine Cinema and Literacy

Rolando B. Tolentino and Aristotle J. Atienza (Editors)

Josรฉ B. Capino Nick Deocampo

The University of the Philippines Press and QCinema International Film Festival Ateneo de Manila University Press

Ateneo de Manila University Press

POETRY (ENGLISH)

  1. It Is Time to Come Home: New & Collected Poems
  2. Kafka in the Tropics: Poems
  3. Moving with Moonrise: Haibuns
  • A Row of Lamps: Poems
  • Planet Nine: Poems

Marjorie Evasco

Krip Yuson

Ma. Milagros T. Dumdum Jaime Dasca Doble

Joel M. Toledo

Milflores Publishing, Inc.

San Anselmo Publications, Inc. Ateneo de Manila University Press

The University of the Philippines Press and UP Institute of Creative Writing

University of Santo Tomas Publishing House

POETRY (FILIPINO)

  1. Ang Aming Lungkot ay Amin
  • Sa Antipolo pa rin ang Antipolo
  • Arasahas: Mga Tula
  • Arawรกn
  • Turno Kong Nokturno: Mga Bago at Piling Tula

Mesรกndel Virtusio Arguelles Abner E. Dormiendo

Jaya  Jacobo Christian Rey Pilares

Lamberto E. Antonio

Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), Inc.

Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), Inc.

Savage Mind Publishing House Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), Inc.

The University of the Philippines Press and UP Institute of Creative Writing

GRAPHIC NOVELS AND COMICS (ENGLISH)

  1. Parched Earth Chronicles: The Complete Edition
  • Trese 8: Shadow Agents
  • Sa Wala
  • Whatcha Saying?

Written and illustrated byJefe Bagabundo, Mark Anthony Mijares, Erik Guzman Pingol, Franco Sarmiento, Alfred John Lauzon, and Mauro Vargas Written by Budjette Tan and illustrated by KaJo Baldisimo Written and illustrated by

Ren Galeno

Written and illustrated by CJ Reynaldo

Central Book Supply, Inc.

19th Avenida Publishing House Komiket Inc.

Komiket Inc.

GRAPHIC NOVELS AND COMICS (FILIPINO)

  1. Ella Arcangel Tomo Pangatlo: Basbas ng Apoy
  2. Melรคg II: Balikbayan
  • Sining Killing
  • Sskait Comics 3: Multoserye

Written and illustrated by Julius Villanueva

Written and illustrated by

B. Redila

Written and illustrated by Randy Valiente

Written and illustrated by AJ Bacar

Self-published Adarna House, Inc. Komiket Inc.

Self-published

  • Tabi Po: Harana ng Aswangย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  Written and illustrated by

Mervin Malonzo

Self-published

TRANSLATED BOOK (ENGLISH)

  1. Ikigai Ug Ubang Piniling Mga Sugilanon (And Other Selected Stories)
  2. Hรบbad: Ester Tapia
  • The Ravaged World
  • The Vanished

Translator: Marjorie Evasco; Author: Manu Avenido

Translator: Merlie M. Alunan; Author: Ester Tapia

Translator: Soledad S. Reyes; Author: Rosario de

Guzman-Lingat Translator: Ned Parfan;

Author: Chuckberry Pascual

Advaux

The University of the Philippines Press and UP Institute of Creative Writing

Ateneo de Manila University Press

19th Avenida Publishing House

TRANSLATED BOOK (FILIPINO)

  1. Benjamin
  • It Ends with Us
  • Mga Kuwentong Bayan para sa Gabing Maulan (Tales for a Rainy Night)
  • Palรขisgรซn: Epikong-bayan ng mga Tagbanua ng Aborlan, Palawan

Translators: John E. Barrios and Fennie Mae T. Tanangonan; Author: Angel Magahum Translator: Sheila Mendoza; Author: Colleen Hoover Translator: Chuckberry J. Pascual; Author: Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo

Translators: Paul D. Jagmis, Sr. and Mary Grace A. Jagmis; Contributors: Paul D. Jagmis Sr., Gem-Gem  Bagued,  Fernando Lingsa, and Delia Jardinero

The University of the Philippines Press and UP Institute of Creative Writing

Precious Pages Corporation

University of Santo Tomas Publishing House

National Commission for Culture and the Arts

TRANSLATED BOOK (ILOKANO)

1.  Ti Bassit a Prinsipe (The Little Prince)

Translators: Cles B. Rambaud and Faye Q. Flores-Melegrito; Author: Antoine de

Saint-Exupรฉry

Southern Voices Printing Press

DRAMA AND FILM

  1. Collected Plays 1: Revitalizing Tradition in Three Full-Length Films

Nicanor G. Tiongson                      Ateneo de Manila University Press

  • Collected Plays 2: Resurrecting History in Three Full-Length Musicals
  • Lutong Bahay
  • Ang Paglalakbay ni Prinsipe Bahaghari

Nicanor G. Tiongson

Glecy Cruz Atienza

Aina Ysabel B. Ramolete and Vladimeir B. Gonzales

Ateneo de Manila University Press

Sentro ng Wikang Filipino – Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman The University of the Philippines Press and UP Institute of Creative Writing

SHORT FICTION IN BIKOL

  1. Dyurnal Intris
  2. Kalatraban sa Alkawaraan

Jerome M. Hipolito Niles Jordan Breis

Ateneo de Naga University Press Ateneo de Naga University Press

POETRY IN BIKOL

  1. An Santero Kan Santo Entierro
  • Dios Mabalos: Mga Rawitdawit
  • Kalagnon: Mga Rawitdawit
  • Kinalburong Lanub
  • Mayong Katapusan na Pabalon asin iba pang Huyon-Huyon: Mga Rawitdawit
  • B. Gonzaga

Jaime Jesus Uy Borlagdan Jaime Jesus Uy Borlagdan Kristian Sendon Cordero Raul Giga Bradecina

Bikol Historical Research Center and Partido State University Ateneo de Naga University Press Self-published

Ateneo de Naga University Press Ateneo de Naga University Press

NON-LITERARY  DIVISION

ART

  1. Julio Nakpil (1867-1960) Collected Works Volume Two: Band and Orchestral Music
    1. Nineteenth-Century Masters of Angono Art
    1. Philippine Colonial Photography of the Cordilleras (1860-1930)

Maria Alexandra Iรฑigo Chua (Editor)

James Owen Saguinsin Jonathan Best

University of Santo Tomas Publishing House

Vibal Foundation, Inc. Vibal Foundation, Inc.

SOCIAL SCIENCES

  1. Conflictโ€™s Long Game: A Decade of Violence in the Bangsamoro
  2. Plural Entanglements: Philippine Studies

Francisco J. Lara, Jr. and Nikki Philline C. de la Rosa (Editors)

Dada Docot, Stephen B. Acabado, and Clement C. Camposano (Editors)

Ateneo de Manila University Press Ateneo de Manila University Press

  • Re-Imagining Post-Pandemic Societies: Alternative Practices across Southeast Asia Volume 2
  • Saints of Resistance: Devotions in the Philippines under Early Spanish Rule
  • Tinipong Tinig ng Kababaihan (Anthology of Women’s Voices): Priestesses to Presidents

Eduardo C. Tadem, Benjamin B. Velasco, Jose Monfred C. Sy, Ananeza P. Aban, Rafael Vicente V. Dimalanta, Honey B. Tabiola, and Ryan Joseph C. Martinez (Editors)

Christina H. Lee

Nenita Pambid Domingo (Editor) and Brandon J. Macapagal Reilly (Associate Editor)

University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies

Ateneo de Manila University Press

The University of the Philippines Press

PHILOSOPHY

  1. Critical Theory at the Margins: Applying Herbert Marcuseโ€™s Model of Critical Social Theory to the Philippines
  2. The Metaphysics of the Holy Eucharist

Jeffry Ocay

Raymun J. Festin, SVD

Aletheia Printing and Publishing House

Logos Publications, Inc.

HISTORY

  1. Abaca Frontier: The Socioeconomic ย and ย Cultural Transformation of Davao, 1898-1941
  2. Dauntless
  3. Dogs in Philippine History
  • Tales of the Post-Plantation: Unlikely Protagonists of Modern Philippine Banana History
  • Tigaon 1969: Untold Stories of the CPP-NPA, KM, and SDK

Patricia Irene Dacudao

Marie Silva Vallejo

Ian Christopher B. Alfonso Robin Thiers

Soliman M. Santos Jr.

Ateneo de Manila University Press

Self-published

Philippine Historical Association, Project Saysay Inc., and Alaya Publishing

Ateneo de Manila University Press Ateneo de Manila University Press

HUMOR, SPORTS, LIFESTYLE, AND BUSINESS

  1. Expanding Strategic Perspective: Revisiting Lessons from History and the Classics
  2. Paseos de Intramuros:

A Guidebook to Manila’s Walled City

Renรฉ B. Azurin

Jose Victor Z. Torres

The University of the Philippines Press

Vibal Foundation, Inc.

  • Salumpuwit: Chairs, Lifestyle, Furniture
  • Thrive! A Parent’s Journey to Resilience
  • The Way Out Is In: Living and Loving, Pandemics and Beyond

Gerard Lico

Cherie Ann Lo, Joanna Herrera, Karyl Christine A. Abog, Maria Lyn Domingo, Rhoanne N. Ramas, and Melinda Tan

Ma. Lourdes Arellano Carandang

Arc Lico International Services and University of the Philippines College of Architecture

Anvil Publishing, Inc.

De La Salle University Publishing House

FOOD

1.  Heritage Dishes of the Philippines

Lady Camille L. de Guia                  Vibal Group, Inc.

SCIENCE

  1. Abaca Virus Diseases: Epidemics and Control
  2. Rediscovering Laguna de Bay:

A Vital Natural Resource in Crisis

  • Wild City: A Photographic Guide to Amphibians, Mammals, and Reptiles of Metro Manila

Avelino D. Raymundo

Josefino C. Comiso, Maria Victoria O. Espaldon, and Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava (Editors)

Jelaine Gan, Trinket Constantino, and Abby Favis

The University of the Philippines Press

The University of the Philippines Press

The University of the Philippines Press

SPIRITUALITY AND THEOLOGY

  1. Babaylan Sing Back: Philippine Shamans and Voice, Gender, and Place
  2. The Eucharist: Continuing Global Project
  3. Pinoy Devotional: Ang kapartner na devo ng Ang Bible: Pinoy Version
  4. Providence is Enough: Trusting God’s Control in Crisis
  5. What do you Seek? Pastoral Accompaniment of Couples Living Together in A New Union

Grace Nono

Aurelio C. Joaquin

Kerlyn Bobadilla, Ru dela Torre, Rigel Fortaleza et al.

Mel Caparros Bobby V. Cena

Ateneo de Manila University Press

Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.

OMF Literature Inc.

OMF Literature Inc.

Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.

PROFESSIONS

  1. A Cardiologist’s Guide To Lowering High Blood Pressure

Alan S. Tenerife                                Self-published

  • Hospital Bullies in the Philippine Clerkship and Residency Training: A Book of Discernment for Physicians, Nurses, and Psychologists Volume 3
  • PR Matters: A Communicatorโ€™s Guide to the Dynamic World of Public Relations
  • Workplace Well-being in the Philippines: A Guidebook
  • The Written Property: A Freelance Writer’s Guide to Copyright

Erwin L. Manzano

Members of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Philippine Chapter

Ma. Tonirose D. Mactal, Emerald Jay D. Ilรกc, and Jaimee Felice Caringal-Go (Editors)

Imelda Morales and Mark Robert Dy (Editors)

Central Book Supply, Inc.

Buensalido Public Relations Agency Ateneo de Manila University Press LitArt Publishing

JOURNALISM

  1. COVID-19 in the News of Seekers, Scoundrels, and Saints
  2. Serve
  3. View from the Foxhole: Shaping the Political into the Personal

Ma. Ceres P. Doyo

Jo-Ann Q. Maglipon (Editor) Joel Pablo Salud

Ateneo de Manila University Press

Ateneo de Manila University Press The University of the Philippines Press

DESIGN

DESIGN

  1. A Death Foretold: The Ninoy Aquino Assassination Remembered
  • Dogs in Philippine History
  • Everything Is Fiction: Essays
  • It Is Time to Come Home: New

& Collected Poems

  • Piรฑa Futures: Weaving Memories and Innovations

Editors: Sarge Lacuesta, An Mercado-Alcantara, and Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta Designer: Tom Estrera III

Author and Designer:

Ian Christopher B. Alfonso

Author: Vicente Garcia Groyon Designers: Troy Binco and Ace Vincent Molo

Author: Marjorie Evasco Designer: Felix Mago Miguel Author: Randy M. Madrid Designer: Felix Mago Miguel Jr.

Good Intentions Books, Inc. and Aurora Oreta

Philippine Historical Association, Project Saysay Inc., and Alaya Publishing

Ateneo de Manila University Press

Milflores Publishing, Inc.

Far Eastern University and HABI: The Philippine Textile Company

*NOTHING FOLLOWS*

For clarifications or queries, please contact:

CHARISSE AQUINO-TUGADE

Executive Director

awards@books.gov.ph

National Book Development Board (NBDB)

3F Regalado Hive Building, Regalado Avenue, Fairview, Quezon City 1118

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