On September 8, four independently published books were cited as finalists of the Gintong Aklat Awards 2022, according to the announcement made by the Book Development Association of the Philippines. This annual competition recognizes established and new local publishers and encourages the production of quality books that excel in all aspects of bookmaking such as book production (printing, binding, etc.), content (writing and editing), and design.
Competing in the Inspiration Category are two titles published by San Anselmo Publications, Inc., Servant Leader, Leni Robredo, and Companions! XJ Narratives.
Servant Leader, Leni Robredo is a biography in English written by Professor Ed Garcia, and edited by Danton Remoto. In the book, former Constitutional Commissioner Professor Ed Garcia writes why former Vice President Leni Robredo is an example of leadership defined in the Gospel. Also included are complementary essays by Atty. Mel Sta. Maria, Senator Bam Aquino, and VP Leni’s daughters.
Released in 2021, Companions! XJ Narratives is a collection of essays that presents the lives of former priests and seminarians of the Society of Jesus while underscoring the reality that we are all “consecrated persons” in the service of God and our neighbors. The 400+ page book of English essays was written by former members of the Society of Jesus and their family members and edited by Gemino H. Abad, Ruben L.F. Habito, and Ed Garcia.
Atra, a book by Ruzzel Valdepana, is a finalist in the Special Award for Book Design, and Poetry in Filipino categories. Atra consists of poems by Mesandel Virtusio Arguelles in the last two decades and has appeared in the following books: Menos Kuwarto (2022), Ilahas (2004), Hindi Man Lang Nakita (2006), Parang (2008), Alingaw (2010), Alinsunurang Awit (2010), Antares (2010), Mal (2011), Mga Tala at Panaginip (2012), Guwang (2013), Pesoa (2014), Kurap sa Ilalim (2016), Gera (2016), Talik (2017), Antares (2018), Walang Halong Biro (2018), at Mujeres Publicas (2019).
Another finalist in the Special Award for Book Design category is Pesoa, a poetry book by Mesandel Virtusio Arguelles and translated by Kristine Ong Muslim. The cover was designed by the author while the inside pages was credited to Ronald Verzo.
According to poet and publisher Oliver Ortega, “Something is always gained in Kristine Ong Muslim’s translation of the poems of Mesandel Virtusio Arguelles, sharpening what is already radical in these texts, giving that something is always lost in the making of the “source” poems. This teleological awareness of where the poet sourced his poems is embodied in her oftentimes uncompromising decision to turn her back on what seems to make sense for her as she embarks on this apparent devotion to rewrite each and every other book of Arguelles into another language. What she has opted to surface is quite beguiling (‘I can never ever fully know what I dealing with.’), and without hesitation, we join her in this mad journey.”
Atra and Pesoa are titles published by Isang Balangay Media Productions.
Winners in each category will be presented in the awarding ceremonies on Thursday, September 14, at the main stage of the Manila International Book Fair 2023.
