Three Thomasians win in the 41st National Book Awards, announced on December 9, 2023 by the National Book Development Board – Philippines.
Assoc. Prof. Chuckberry Pascual, PhD of the Research Center for Culture, Arts, and Humanities and the Department of Literature won the “Best Translated Book in Filipino” award for his translation of Miguel Syjuco’s award-winning novel entitled “Ilustrado”. In addition, Pascual also bagged the “Best Anthology in Filipino” plum for “Plus/+, at Iba Plus, Maramihan: New Philippine Nonfiction on Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities”, a book he co-edited with Rolando B. Tolentino, PhD.
RCCAH Director Prof. Maria Alexandra Chua, PhD of the Conservatory of Music brought home the “Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book in Art” for her book entitled “Julio Nakpil (1867-1969): Collected Works Volume I: Piano, Vocal and Chamber Music.”
Lastly, BFA-Advertising Arts alumnus Josel Nicolas co-illustrated the winning book in the “Best Book of Graphic Novel and Comics in English” category entitled, “Death be Damned.”
Organized by NBDB and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC), the annual prize honored 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. A total of 35 titles emerged as winners out of 235 nominations across 34 categories consisting of seven languages: Filipino, English, Bikol, Binisaya, Hiligaynon, Tausug, and Waray.