The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) are delighted to announce the finalists of the 39th National Book Awards!
This year’s cycle merges titles from both 2019 and 2020. The final awards night is slated to take place on July 30, 2022.
An annual prize that honors the most prestigious book titles written, designed, and published in the Philippines, the National Book Awards celebrates the enterprising creative labor involved in book publishing.
It continues to stimulate literary production and the book trade by highlighting the continued significance of books and reading in the daily lives of Filipinos.
LITERARY DIVISION
NOVEL (ENGLISH)
- REMAINS by Daryll Delgado – Ateneo de Naga University Press
- TIEMPO MUERTO by Caroline Hau – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- BROKEN ISLANDS by Criselda Yabes – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- THE AGE OF UMBRAGE by Jessica Zafra – Ateneo de Manila University Press
NOVEL (FILIPINO)
- OMNIBUS AT ANG MISTERYO NG NAWAWALANG ULO by Rhod V. Nuncio – University of the Philippines Press
- TOPOGRAPIYA NG LUMBAY: IMUS NOVEL 6 by RM Topacio-Aplaon – University of the Philippines Press
SHORT STORIES (ENGLISH)
- VOYAGER AND OTHER FICTIONS: THE COLELCTED STORIES OF JOSE DALISAY by Jose Dalisay Jr. – Anvil Publishing Inc.
- DEMIGODS AND MONSTERS: STORIES by Caroline S. Hau – University of the Philippines Press
- COLLECTED STORIES & TAXES by Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo – University of Santo Tomas Publishing House
- STORIES OF A BITTER COUNTRY by Ninotchka Rosca – Anvil Publishing Inc.
- PICS OR IT DIDN’T HAPPEND AND ACTUAL STORIES by Anna Felicia C. Sanchez – University of the Philippines Press
- A NATURAL HISTORY OF EMPIRE by Dominic Sy – Ateneo de Manila University Press
SHORT STORIES (FILIPINO)
- MAQUEDA: MGA USIPON MULA LAWOD HANGGANG BAYBAYON by Nap I. Arcilla III
- KULTO NI SANTIAGO by Kristian S. Cordero – University of the Philippines Press
- THE NEXT GREAT TAGALOG NOVEL AT IBA PANG KUWENTO byd Allan N. Derain – University of the Philippines Press
- SA PAALAM NAGWAWAKAS ANG LAHAT NG PAGTATAGPO by Andrian Legaspi – PageJump Media
- SDSAD-SADAN, HAPPY-HAPIHAN: MGA KUWENTO NG PAG-IBIG by John Iremil Teodoro – University of the Philippines Press
NONFICTION PROSE (ENGLISH)
- BIYAHENG PINOY: A MINDANAO TRAVELOGUE by Edilberto N. Alegre – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- TO LOVE ANOTHER DAY: THE MEMOIRS OF CORY AQUINO by Rapa Lopa, Rhona Lopa-Macasaet, and Paolo R. Reyes – Chamber Shell Publishing Inc.
- LIVING IN TIMES OF UNREST: BART PASSION AND THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION by Eduardo C. Tadem – University of the Philippines Press
NONFICTION PROSE (FILIPINO)
- BALAGER by Emmanuel T. Barrameda – Isang Balangay Media Productions
ESSAY (ENGLISH)
- SOME DAYS YOU CAN’T SAVE THEM ALL by Ronnie E. Baticulon – University of the Philippines Press
- BREAK IT TO ME GENTLY: ESSAYS ON FILIPINO FILM by Richard Bolisay – Everything’s Fine
- A RICHNESS OF EMBARASSMENTS AND OTHER EASY ESSAYS by Jose Dalisay Jr. University of the Philippines Press
- WHY WORDS MATTER: WHY WE READ AND WHY WE WRITE by Jose Dalisay Jr. – CANVAS
- THE PHILIPPINES IS NOT A SMALL COUNTRY by Gideon Lasco – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- A PIG WAS ONCE KILLED IN OUR GARAGE by Martin Villanueva – Ateneo de Manila University Press
ANTHOLOGY
- BUSILAK: NEW LGBTQ POETRY FORM THE PHILIPPINES by J. Neil C. Garcia – University of the Philippines Press
- KOMMUNITY: CITY OF THE FUTURE by Paolo Herras & Mark Navarro – Komiket Inc.
- MINDANAO HARVEST 4 by Jaime An Lim, Christine F. Godinez-Ortega, and Ricardo M. De Ungria – Far Eastern University
LITERARY CRITICISM/LITERARY HISTORY (ENGLISH)
- PELIKULANG KOMIKS: TOWARDS A THEORY OF FILIPINO FILM ADAPTATION by Joyce L. Arriola – University of the Philippines Press
- SENSING MANILA by Gary C. Devilles – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- CHILDREN OF THE POSTCOLONY: FILIPINO INTELLECTUALS AND DECOLONIZATION 1946-1972 by Charlie Samuya Veric – Ateneo de Manila University
LITERARY CRITICISM/LITERARY HISTORY (FILIPINO)
- FAUSTINO AGUILAR: KAPANGYARIHAN, KAMALAYAN, KASAYSAYAN by Epifanio San Juan Jr. – University of Santo Tomas Publishing House
POETRY (ENGLISH)
- WHEN BRIDGES ARE DOWN, MOUNTAINS TOO FAR: NEW POEMS by Gemino H. Abad – University of the Philippines Press
- CROCODILES IN BELFAST & OTHER POEMS by Jim Pascual Agustin – San Anselmo Publications, Inc.
- MARKA DEMONYO OR POEMS ON LOVE, FAITH AND DUCT TAPE by Lourd De Veyra – Anvil Publishing, Inc.
- MARAWI AND OTHER POEMS by Simeon Dumdum Jr. – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- JOLOGRAPHY RECONNED: POEMS by Paolo Manalo – University of the Philippines Press
- DI ACHICHUK: PEOMS AND IMAGES FROM BATANES by Dorian S. Merina – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- WE SHALL WRITE LOVE POEMS AGAIN by Dinah Roma – University of Santo Tomas Publishing House
POETRY (FILIPINO)
- ISANG KAHIG ISANG TULA: MAGA TANAGA by Albert Alejo S.J. – Ateneo de Naga University Press
- LUNGSOD-LUNGSURAN by Louise O. Lopez – Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), Inc. for Linrong LIRA
- ILANG SANDALI… MAKALIPAS ANG HULING ARAW NG MUNDO: MGA TULA by Reagan R. Maiquez – University of the Philippiens Press
- KUNG ANG SIYUDAD AY PAG-IBIG by Carlos M. Piocos III – University of the Philippines Press
- SIWANG SA PINTO NG TABERNAKULO: MGA TULA by Louie Jon A. Sanchez – Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), Inc. for Linrong LIRA
- RUTA: MGA BAGO AT PILING TULA by Benilda S. Santos – Ateneo de Naga University Press
- LAHAT NG NAG-AANGAS AY INAAGNAS by Paolo Tiausas – Paolo Miguel G. Tiausas
TRANSLATION
- JOSE RIZAL: LIBERALISMO AT ANG BALINTUNA NG KOLONYALIDAD by Lisandro Claudio (Mikael De Lara Co) – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- IN THE WOMB OF EARTH AND OTHER STORIES by Alice Tan Gonzales University of the Philippines Press
- THE WORLD IS STILL BEAUTIFUL by Lazaro Francisco (Mona Highley) – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- CANAL DE LA REINA by Liwayway Arceo (Soledad S. Reyes) – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- THE LAST TIMAWA: A NOVEL by Servando de los Angeles (Soledad S. Reyes) – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- R.U.R.: Robot Unibersal ni Rossum by Karel Capek (Rogelio Sicat) – Ateneo de Naga University Press
- SOMMARBLOMMOR: POEMS WRITTEN IN EUROPE by John Iremil Teodoro (Alice Sun-Cua) – University of Santo Tomas Publishing House
NON-LITERARY DIVISION
ART
- DECO FILIPINO: ART DECO HERITAGE IN THE PHILPPINES by Ivan Man Dy & Gerald Lico – ArtPostAsia. Inc.
- PHILIPPINE SOCIAL REALISTS by Amadis Ma. Guerrero – Erehwon Artworld Corporation
- THE ARTS AND TIMES OF THE SEVENTIES by Marian Pastor Roces, Jaime C. Laya, & Others – Januarius Holdings, Inc.
- THE ART OF COLLECTING: A GUIDE TO THE PHILIPPINE MARKET by Joseph Sedfrey S. Santiago – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- PHILIPPINE CINEMA 1897-2020 by Gaspar A. Vibal & Dennis S. Villegas; Edited by Teddy O. Co – Vibal Group
PROFESSIONS
- SCHOOL IS LIFE: PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES by Ani Rosa Almario & Tina Zamora – Ateneo de Manila University
- COOL MINDS, BRAVE HEARTS: THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINE CENTRAL BANK by Bangko Sentrla ng Pilipinas
- CREATING SUSTAINABLE VALUE IN SOCIAL ENTERPRISES: STORIES OF SOCIAL INNOVATION by Maria Assunta Cuyegkeng, Raquel Cementina-Olpoc, Ana Martina Tan – Ateneo de Manila University
- TIME OUT MUNA: GABAY SA UTANG, UPA, AT IBA PA SA PANAHON NG PANDEMYA by Atty. Noel Romero Del Prado – San Anselmo Publications, Inc.
- SECURING A CONTINUUM OF CARE: THE CHALLENGES OF A FRAGMENTED HEALTH SECTOR by Carlo Irwin A. Panelo, Orville Jose C. Solon, Rebecca M. Ramos, Alejandro N. Herrin – University of the Philippines Press
SOCIAL SCIENCES
- MAKING SENSE OF THE CITY: PUBLIC SPACES IN THE PHILIPPINES by Remmon E. Barbaza – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- COUNTERREVOLUTION: THE GLOBAL RISE OF THE FAR RIGHT by Walden Bello ATeneo de Manila University Press
- RETHINKING FILIPINO MILLENIALS: ALTERNATIVE PERPECTIVES ON A MISUNDERSTOOD GENERATION by Jayeel Cornelio – University of Santo Tomas Publishing House
- A CAPITAL CITY AT THE MARGINS: QUEZON CITY AND URBANIZATION IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY PHILIPPINES by Michael D. Pante – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- HANDBOOK OF FILIPINO PSYCHOLOGY, VOLUME 2: APPLICATION by Rogelia PE-PUA – University of the Philippines Press
HISTORY
- ASIAN PLACE, FILIPINO NATION: A GLOBAL INTELLECTUAL HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION, 1887-1912 by Nicole Cuunjieng Aboitiz – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- CLOTHING THE COLONY: NINETEENTH-CENTURY PHILIPPINE SARTORIAL CULTURE, 1820-1896 by Stephanie Coo – Ateneo de Manila University Press
- THE STORY OF PHILIPPINE CENTRAL BANKING: STABILITY AND STRENGTH AT SEVENTY Jose Dalisay Jr. – Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
- MANILA CATHEDRAL RESTORING A MONUMENT TO FAITH, ARCHITECTURE, AND HISTORY by Gerard Lico – Roman Catholic Archbishops of Manila
- MORE HISPANIC THAN WE ADMIT 3: QUINCENTENNIAL EDITION, 1521-1820 FILIPINO AND SPANISH INTERACTIONS OVER THE CENTURIES by Jorge Mojarro – Vibal Group
- YAMAN: HISTORY AND HERITAGE IN PHILIPPINE MONEY by Ambeth R. Ocampo – Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
- PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND THE MARCOS TECHNOCRATS: THE EMERGENCE AND EVOLUTION OF A POWER ELITE by Teresa S. Tadem – Ateneo de Manila University Press
HUMOR, SPORTS & LIFESTYLE
- WINNING STUDY ABROAD STRATEGIES FOR FILIPINOS by Ma. Regina Arquiza & Eva Marie Wang with Anne Quintos – PageJump Media
- WALK MANILA by Lorelei D.C. De Viana – Far Eastern University
- NEAT OBSESSIONS: STARTING YOUR JOURNEY TO ORGANIZING PRODUCTIVITY, AND HAPPINESS by Issa Guico Reyes – ABS-CBN Books
FOOD
- ALSO FILIPINO: 75 REGIONAL DISHES I NEVER HAD GROWING UP by Angelo Comsti – RPD Publications
- KAIN NA! AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO PHILIPPINE FOOD by Felice Prudente Sta. Maria & Bryan Koh – RPD Publications
- LASA NG REPUBLIKA DILA AT BANDILA: ANG PAGHAHANAP SA PAMBANSANG PANLASA NG FILIPINAS by Ige Ramos – Anvil Publishing Inc.
- MESA NI MISIS by Juana Manahan Yupangco – ABS-CBN Books
SCIENCE
- A TIMELINE OF MINDANAO DISASTERS by Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay & Ma. Creiselda B. Baldago – University of the Philippines Press
- SOCIETY, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY: SOCIAL DYNAMICS OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION by Wiliam G. Padolina, Emmanual M. De Dios, Geoffrey M. Ducanes, Ruth Guzman, Olga Nuneza, Romina Beltran-Almazan, Jovino G. Miroy
- THE ZANJERAS OF ILOCOS: COOPERATIVE IRRIGATION SOCIETIES OF THE PHILIPIINES by Jose A. Rivera – Ateneo de Manila University Press
DESIGN
- TRESE LITE: POSTCARD BOOK 1 design by Kajo Baldismo – 19th Avenida Publishing House
- MARKA DEMONYO: OR POEMS ON LOVE, FAITH, AND DUCT TYPE design by Tom Estera – Anvil Publishing Inc.
- ALSO FILIPINO: 75 REGIONAL DISHES I NEVER HAD GROWING UP design by A ALPHA GARCIA – RPD Publications
- HUMADAPNON (TARANGBAN): SUGIDANON (EPICS) OF PANAY, BOOK 8 design by Gian Nino Genoveza – University of the Philipiines
- WALK MANILA design by Martin Z. Lopez & Gianna Reyes Montinola – Far Eastern University
- A WATERCOLOR JOURNEY design by Miguel Mari – Holy Angel University, Inc.
- CLOTHING THE COLONY: NINETEENTH-CENTURY PHILIPPINE SARTORIAL CULTURE, 1820-1896 design by Felix Mago Miguel Jr. – Ateneo de Manila University
