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  • Big Cash Prizes Await Young Changemakers in This Reading Hackathon

    Big Cash Prizes Await Young Changemakers in This Reading Hackathon

    MANILA, PHILIPPINES – To address the nation’s reading crisis, the National Book Development Board (NBDB), through its Readership Development Division (READ), has organized the Readers Rising! Hackathon, where the youth are invited to pitch their ideas on how to help solve this big problem on readership: How do we rekindle a love of reading for young Filipino adults?

    Recent findings from the Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) conducted by the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA) in 2024 highlight the urgency of addressing this crisis. The survey showed alarming gaps in literacy rates, especially among young Filipinos.

    This hackathon aims to bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table, empowering the Filipino youth to contribute solutions that can help overcome this pressing issue.

    The best part is, the winning idea that can help end the reading crisis can earn PHP 60,000 for the creative thinker.

    This unique event, which involves both online and onsite meetups, is open to Filipino citizens, aged 18-25, who are currently university students or young professionals in various fields such as advocacy, policy, information technology, marketing, business, management, community development, social work, communication, social sciences, and humanities.

    Together, they will be challenged to come up with their most unique and innovative ideas and novel solutions that will impact the nation’s reading communities to adopt more positive reading behaviors and help develop a stronger reading culture in the Philippines.

    This year’s hackathon will be guided by a group of mentor-judges, each a leader in fields like advocacy, technology, communications, and education. Their expertise will be key in evaluating proposals and presentations, which will be assessed based on the following criteria:

    • Thematic Relevance (30%)

    The idea clearly addresses the identified problem and caters to the developmental needs of the target audience.

    • Innovation (30%)

    The idea is original, innovative, and creative. It offers a novel approach to solving the problem and is supported by strong research.

    • Feasibility and Sustainability (25%)

    The project can be realistically implemented and takes into account economic, environmental, and social factors for long-term impact.

    • Presentation (15%)
      The pitch is clear, easy to follow, and effectively gets the message across in an engaging way.

    The winning idea that will come out of the Readers Rising! Hackathon stands to take home PHP 60,000 as the major prize, with PHP 30,000 as minor prizes. Special prizes worth PHP 10,000 will be awarded as well. 

    Best of all, registration for the Readers Rising! Hackathon is absolutely FREE! Interested participants can learn more and apply through the official form. Submissions will be judged on how well they align with the hackathon’s mission, as well as their creativity and practicality.

    Don’t let this opportunity pass; join us and be part of something that makes a real-world impact!

    The press release is published by NBDB on May 23, 2025.

    For media inquiries, please contact: 

    Communications & Promotions

    news@books.gov.ph

    About the National Book Development Board 

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the book authority of the Philippines. The agency is at the forefront of developing the Philippine publishing industry and safeguarding the country’s vibrant culture of authorship and reading. To learn more, visit our social media pages (@nbdbphilippines).

  • PH Returns to Biggest Stage for Children’s Books, with Expanded Presence and 120 Titles

    PH Returns to Biggest Stage for Children’s Books, with Expanded Presence and 120 Titles

    BOLOGNA, ITALY – Following a successful debut participation at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) in 2024, the Philippines is set to return to the world’s foremost event for children’s books, which will take place from March 31 to April 3, 2025, at the BolognaFiere Exhibition Centre in Italy. The country’s participation will be led by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), with support from the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) and the International Board on Books for Young People Philippines (IBBY PH).

    Last year marked several milestones for the Philippine book publishing industry. Before its successful presentation at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October, the Philippines made waves in the book world with its children’s book sector being selected as the Country of Focus at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content in Singapore. This set the stage for the Philippines’ debut at the BCBF, where the country showcased over 100 children’s books in a dedicated stand. For 2025, the Philippines is poised to build on last year’s success with an even more robust presence. The delegation will be represented by a talented group of children’s book professionals, including illustrator Fran Alvarez (Dancing Hands: A Story of Friendship in Filipino Sign Language), authors Faye Villanueva-Chelabian (co-founder of Kawangis Publishing), Liwliwa Malabed (Sampung Eroplano), Ergoe Tinio (Editor-in-Chief of Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development), and MJ Tumamac (co-founder of Aklat Alamid), alongside Eli Camacho (Product Development Manager at Adarna House), Sophia Garduce (Southern Voices Printing Press), and Isa Songco (co-founder of Kwentoon).

    “This is another win for our children’s book sector, which is an enduring and vital part of our book industry. If our participation at the BCBF last year was an introduction to our children’s books, this year, we’re expanding our participation with a larger book curation focused on themes that represent the true nature of Philippine children’s stories: progressive, endlessly curious, and consider children as smart, imaginative readers with a great sense of agency,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.

    This year’s curation will feature 120 titles that explore a variety of themes, including Philippine culture, diversity, environmental awareness, and sense of self and community. This selection of early readers, middle grade, and young adult books features both old and new voices in the Philippine children’s book sector, highlighting the authors and illustrators behind one of the country’s most widely read and translated genres.

    Additionally, the Philippines will host a range of activities, including an art workshop for children, which will take place at the Philippine Embassy in Rome on March 29, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The event will feature two sessions: Mom’s Best Playdough Activities focusing on Philippine national symbols, and an art workshop by Liza Flores of Ang INK (Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan), encouraging young participants to explore their creativity while learning about Filipino culture. On April 1, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the Philippine Collective Stand will host a reception, welcoming Ambassador Nathaniel G. Imperial and Consul General Elmer G. Cato, along with other representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Rome and the Philippine Consulate in Milan.  

    In addition to these, the Philippines is supporting a special Happy Hour event called Drink & Draw with the Philippines, organized by German Stories and the Frankfurter Buchmesse. This gathering will take place on April 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Hall 30, B24-C11.

    Since 1964, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair has been the industry-leading fair where professionals working in children’s content from all over the world meet for networking, rights selling, and other opportunities for cross-media adaptation, as well as expand their knowledge in the art of creating children’s books through fora, workshops, exhibits, talks, and other activities. Over 25,000 visitors attend the BCBF every year. 

    This year, the BCBF will feature 1,500 exhibitors from approximately 90 countries and regions around the world. The Philippine country stand will be located at Hall 29, B24-C23.

    For industry professionals looking to attend the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, tickets can be purchased at https://www.bolognachildrensbookfair.com/en/visitors/ticket-online/1131.html

    REFERENCE & MEDIA CONTACT:

    Divine Reyes-Caraecle, Chief of Communications & Promotions

    091713963394

    news@books.gov.ph

    About the National Book Development Board

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the book authority of the Philippines. The agency is at the forefront of developing the Philippine publishing industry and safeguarding the country’s vibrant culture of authorship and reading. To learn more, visit our social media pages (@nbdphilippines).

  • New Location, More Books—See What’s In Store At The PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL 2025

    New Location, More Books—See What’s In Store At The PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL 2025

    The Philippine Book Festival (PBF), the country’s largest all-Filipino book festival, is back—this time at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, from March 13-16, 2025.

    The free four-day festival by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) puts Philippine books at the center of a fiesta brimming with events, performances, and meet-and-greet sessions with authors.

    A Fiesta of Filipino Culture through Literature

    The PBF 2025 promises to be more festive, putting the spotlight on the country’s famous festivals, each one designed by some of the best Filipino artists working today.

    The first is the glorious Dinagyang Festival for Kid Lit (the PBF’s section dedicated to children’s literature), designed by Juno Abreu, and the Komiks realm inspired by the famous Tuna festival in General Santos City, with design by illustrator and painter Paul Eric Roca. Aral Aklat, the section dedicated to textbooks, draws inspiration from the colorful Pahiyas Festival in Quezon courtesy of Joffrey “Pepot” Atienza, himself a native of the province, and finally, Panagbënga or the Baguio Flower Festival for Booktopia (the section for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry), with design by Danielle Florendo.

    A design highlight is the Pakyawan Plaza, the festival’s centerpiece which has become a crowd favorite. The intricately designed Pahiyas Festival-themed activation space features a large bahay kubo, inside which fairgoers can browse collections of children’s books.

    A New Location for a More Accessible Experience

    The festive atmosphere is made all the more exciting as the PBF 2025 moves to a new venue—at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall. The NBDB believes this fresh location has brought new energy to the festival and can draw an even larger audience.

    For one, the new PBF site is strategically located in a mall at the heart of Metro Manila, making it easily accessible. Visitors can reach it via the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 and the EDSA Busway, providing convenient transport for those coming from surrounding areas like Caloocan City, Quezon City, Makati City, Taguig City, and even from those on the eastern side such as Cainta, Taytay, and the cities of Antipolo, Pasig, and of course, Mandaluyong.

    “The decision to move the PBF to a different and smaller venue is definitely a bold one. We hope to offset that with the venue’s accessibility and generate higher foot traffic, as well as provide convenience for more visitors from other areas,” explained NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.

    Strides Toward Addressing Systemic Gaps

    Led by Aquino-Tugade and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, the PBF has achieved a groundbreaking milestone—procuring over PHP 925 million worth of Philippine trade books and textbooks.

    Through the PBF, the NBDB, an attached agency of the DepEd, provides space for DepEd’s regional and district offices to purchase quality books and engage with fellow educators and professionals from the book publishing industry. The large-scale institutional purchase by DepEd addresses the issues of access and readership, bringing books to thousands of readers all over the Philippines.

    “The PBF is our love letter to Philippine books—its creators and its readers, and the many stories they have told about our people. It’s also our response to our country’s reading crisis, which is largely a problem of access. The PBF creates that marketplace for quality Filipino titles, and serves as a bridge between those books and readers across the country,” Aquino-Tugade said.

    “We have a large role to play in not just growing the book industry but in shaping the environments that make reading possible for all sectors of the population. The NBDB and its partners will continue to work against lack of access by saturating the market and our schools with quality Philippine-authored and published books,” Aquino-Tugade concluded.

    For media inquiries, please contact:
    Divine Reyes-Caraecle, Chief of Communications & Promotions
    09171396394
    news@books.gov.ph

    About the National Book Development Board

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the book authority of the Philippines. The agency is at the forefront of developing the Philippine publishing industry and safeguarding the country’s vibrant culture of authorship and reading. To learn more, visit our social media pages (@nbdbphilippines).

    PRESS RELEASE
    National Book Development Board
    March 2025

  • Philippine Book Festival 2025: BIGGER, BETTER, IN A NEW LOCATION

    Philippine Book Festival 2025: BIGGER, BETTER, IN A NEW LOCATION

    Join the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2025: Bigger, Better & New Location.

    MAKATI, PHILIPPINES – The Philippine Book Festival (PBF), the country’s biggest all-Filipino book festival is back – this time in a new location that is accessible to many. This year’s PBF will be happening at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong, City, from March 13 – 16, 2025.

    Registration is FREE for the four-day book festival, organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB). Every year, this project puts Philippine Books at the center if a fiesta brimming with events, performances, and meet-and-greet sessions with your favorite authors.

    “In just over a month, we are bringing back the Philippine Book Festival. Now in its third year, the PBF started in 2023 as an attempt to create the largest marketplace for Philippine books that the country has yet to see. Now, it has become an important annual gathering for families, educators, creatives, and avid readers – all in the name of Philippine books.” said Charisse Aquino – Tugade, NBDB Executive Director.

    The PBF’s third edition promises to be more exciting, putting the spotlight on the country’s famnous festivals, each one designed by some of the best and brightest Filipino artists working today.

    THE CREATIVE MINDS BEHIND THE PBF 2025 REALMS. NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade with National Artist and Scriptwriter Ricky Lee together with the artists of PBF 2025 Realms, Paul Eric Roca, Danielle Florendo, Joffrey “Pepot”Atienza and Juno Abreau.

    The first is the glorious Dinagyang Festival for Kid Lit (the PBF’s section dedicated to children’s literature), designed by Juno Abreau, and the Komiks realm inspired by the famous Tuna Festival in General Santos City, with design by illustrator and painter Paul Eric Roca. Aral Aklat, the section dedicated to text \books, draws inspiration from the colorful Pahiyas Festival in Quezon courtesy of Joffrey “Pepot” Atienza, himself a native of the province, and finally, Panagbenga or the Baguio Flower Festival for Booktopia (the section for fiction, non-fiction and poetry), with design by Danielle Florendo.

    The festive atmosphere is made all the more exciting as the PBF 2025 moves to a new venue – at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall. The NBDB believes this fresh location will bring new energy to the festival and draw and even larger audience.

    “The decision to move the PBF to a different and smaller venue is definitely a bold one. We hope to offset that with the venue’s accessibility and generate higher foot traffic, as well as provide convenience for more visitors from other areas” shared Tugade.

    The PBF is the largest all-Filipino book fair in the country and is one of the NBDB’s flagship programs. NBDB, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this June has amped its readership efforts in the past four years, shifting to solutions-based programming to improve trade and distribution. Concerned with the lack of quality Philippine-authored books in libraries and bookstores across the country, Aguino-Tugade spearheaded the PBF in 2023, a retail activation space that celebrates Philippine books while bringing in revenue for publishing professionals.

    The fair also showcases the creme dela creme of Philippine literature, culture, and content – all situated in an engaging, experienced-based setting that fuses entertainment, education, and learning. Positioning PBF as a favorite pastime (reading) among Filipinos, all for a good cause.

    For complete details, visit the official FaceBook page of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) https://www.facebook.com/NBDBPhilippines

  • Philippines Unveils Visual Identity, Theme and Plans for Guest of Honour Presentation at Frankfurt Book Fair 2025

    Philippines Unveils Visual Identity, Theme and Plans for Guest of Honour Presentation at Frankfurt Book Fair 2025

    Frankfurt (Main), Germany (Press Release, October 17, 2024) – The Philippines will step into a central role at the 2025 Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM) as the Guest of Honour (GoH). During today’s press conference, curators Patrick D. Flores and Karina A. Bolasco as well as representatives of the organizing Philippine agencies – Dante Francis Ang II, Chair of the National Book Development Board (NBDB), Eric B. Zerrudo, Executive Director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and H.E. Irene Susan B. Natividad, Ambassador of the Philippine Embassy to Germany – revealed the visual identity and full theme, providing a sneak peek at the 2025 Guest of Honour presentation. Furthermore, two members of the authors’ delegation, the transfeminine thinker and artist Jaya Jacobo and Ferdinand Benedict „Budjette“ Tan, creator of the Trese Comics, gave an insight into their work.

    Foto (f. l. t. r.): Dr. Jaya Jacobo, Irene Susan Natividad, Dante Francis “Klink” Ang II, Karina A. Bolasco, Eric B. Zerrudo, Dr. Patrick D. Flores, Ferdinand Benedict „Budjette“ Tan, Juergen Boos © Cristopher Breda

    As a culturally diverse nation of 7,641 islands, the Philippines will highlight the strength of this diversity by featuring national artists, indigenous traditions, global perspectives, and a tribute to national hero Jose Rizal. Inspired by a line from Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, the country’s theme The Imagination peoples the air encapsulates the profound intersection of Philippine literature, vibrant culture, and rich history. It invites the global audience to experience the nation’s literary heart.

    “The keywords imagination, people, and air allude to the elements of the writing and reading context: the producers and receivers of texts; the talent of the idiosyncratic individual who reads and writes; and the community gathered by the air emanating from and animating books,” said Patrick Flores, curator of the Philippine Pavilion. Literature in the Philippines is more than storytelling; it is a social practice that connects readers to global ideas and future aspirations. Philippine narratives span genres and mediums, offering a unique perspective on history, culture, and contemporary realities. “The Guest of Honour Pavilion will be the space, the climate for sharing: democratic, deliberative, daring, convivial, peopled by imagination, prompted to action by struggle and dream,” Flores added.

    The visual identity, Flores introduced, also follows the theme: The imagination peoples the air while conveying the act of ‘imagining’ as a graphic and geometric abstraction brought to life. The main logo visualizes this process by an ascending grid lifting in the air, recalling the collective aspirations of the nation. The color scheme reflects Rizal’s descriptions of vivid tones of gold, blue, red and green in the settings and characters of his book. The typefaces refer to letters used in the first printing of Noli around 1890. Finally, the visual design also includes glyphs, inspired by the baybayin script, an ancient writing system, used by early Filipinos before the Spanish colonization. They represent characters or objects playing a central role in Noli.

    Karina A. Bolasco, Head of the Literary Program, emphasized the unique offerings the Philippine Pavilion will feature: “The 2025 Philippine Pavilion will be a showcase of our literary development focusing on pioneering, unique works that represent significant aspects of Filipino culture. Collaborating with experts and stakeholders, the delegation aims to highlight titles that not only delve into Filipino heritage but also appeal to international markets interested in diverse stories.”

    The expansive Philippine program at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2024, Bolasco introduced, will already provide initial insights into the ambitious plans of the GoH team, presenting more than 70 publishers, authors, and creatives taking part in various stages in the fair. Moreover, 700 titles will grace the Philippine stand and various sections of FBM including for genres such as graphic novel, children’s literature, new adult, and education. A key event of the 2024 FBM will be the formal handover of the Guest Scroll from Italy to the Philippines in a ceremony at the Italian Pavilion. Additionally, the Philippines will extend its cultural programming through a dynamic four-day launching program titled In the air that will be held in Heidelberg and Wilhelmsfeld where Jose Rizal wrote his Noli Me Tangere in the 1880s.

    In 2025, the Philippines will double the numbers of representatives and books to take up space in the 2,000 square-meter pavilion creating a hub for dialogue and inspiration. Moving beyond traditional marketing, the Philippines’ participation seeks to engage with readers, writers, and publishers through a creative exchange: Panels, lectures, and interactive exhibits will explore the role of literature as a catalyst for social change, bridging historical and contemporary realities. The Philippines is working with German institutions to launch a comprehensive cultural program, focusing on Philippine perspectives on global issues and offering a space where past, present, and future come together in a dynamic exchange.

    As the world gathers at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2025, the Philippines promises an inspiring vision of literary and cultural exchange. The Philippine Pavilion will be a nexus of ideas, cultures, and history and a vibrant highlight of the fair, where stories come alive, and The imagination peoples the air.

    Juergen Boos, Director of Frankfurter Buchmesse, said: “I am very excited about the Philippines’ Guest of Honour presentation in 2025. The motto The imagination peoples the air resonates with the universality of storytelling. Even though the Philippines is the world’s thirteenth largest nation with more than 109 million citizens, I believe for many of us in Europe, Philippine literature is currently still rather unknown territory. As the country steps into its role as Guest of Honour, we will learn a lot about the importance of storytelling and today’s cultural scene for Philippine civil society. With an incredible 183 different languages spoken on its 7,641 islands, the country’s diverse influences are one of the aspects I am looking forward to seeing in Frankfurt in 2025.”

    The Philippines as GoH at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025 is an achievement made possible through the joint efforts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.

    The journey to becoming the Guest of Honour has been a remarkable one. The Philippines made its debut at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 1998, presenting 302 titles from 45 publishers. After a brief hiatus, the country made a powerful return in 2015, driven by the unwavering support of Hon. Senator Loren Legarda, further cementing its status on the global literary stage. In 2023, the Philippines was officially confirmed as the Guest of Honour for 2025, a landmark moment in its cultural narrative.

    “This is a moment of immense national pride,” Senator Loren Legarda, the project’s main supporter, remarked. “With the Philippine government support, we see the country being celebrated at the world’s largest book fair as a testament to the relentless efforts invested in promoting our literary and creative soul. We are excited to share the stories of the Filipino people with the world.”

    Reference & Press Contact:

    ARTEFAKT Kulturkonzepte
    Alexander Flöth, Elisabeth Friedrich, Damaris Schmitz, Celia Solf
    E-Mail: Philippines@artefakt-berlin.de
    Phone: ++49 (0) 30 440 10 720
    Press downloads: www.artefakt-berlin.de

    Guest of Honour Team
    Karen Capino, Communications Manager
    E-Mail: communications@phlgohfbf2025.net

  • Book Nook Conference 2024 Showcases Strength of Unity in Expanding Reading Access

    Book Nook Conference 2024 Showcases Strength of Unity in Expanding Reading Access

    Deriving inspiration from the Cordillera folk song “Dong Dong Ay!”, the much-anticipated Book Nook Conference 2024 underscored the power of unity in promoting reading among the Filipino youth. The spirit of cooperation resonated throughout the event as attendees reaffirmed their commitment to the shared mission: “Aklat para sa lahat.”

    Just like one big, happy family in a grand reunion, area coordinators and partners from 113 Book Nook sites across the Philippines convened from August 28 to 30 at the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) in Manila for the annual Book Nook Conference. Organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the conference provided a collaborative space for volunteers and representatives to exchange insights, share best practices, and elevate the standards of their reading centers.

    Collaborative discussions and goals

    Participants engaged in robust discussions, tackling challenges, planning strategies, and exchanging success stories. The conference served as a platform for site partners to address ongoing issues and brainstorm solutions. Key sessions focused on refining decision-making processes, enhancing program execution, and fostering problem-solving approaches across the country’s diverse regions.

    NBDB Chairperson Dante Francis “Klink” Ang II and NLP Director Cesar Gilbert Adriano opened the conference, welcoming 79 delegates representing 113 Book Nook sites. Over the next two days, NBDB officials led practical sessions to equip site partners with the tools and skills to enrich their community reading spaces.

    Empowering site partners

    In the opening session, the NBDB reviewed the core principles of the Book Nook Project. NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade gave an update on the project’s progress, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a nationwide reading culture and urging participants to rekindle their passion for the project’s mission. “Reading should not just be an event or program, but, above all else, a habit. With that, I call on everyone to take this conference as an opportunity to start thinking about the kind of future you hope to build for your Book Nook site,” she urged.

    Daniel Mariano, Officer-in-Charge of NBDB’s Readership Development Division, and Ana Manalaysay, Head of the Reading Spaces Section, encouraged site partners to reflect on their success stories and envision a future where their communities evolve into self-sustaining, vibrant reading hubs. Allyn Canja, Book Nook Project Partnerships Committee Head, presented methods for improving public service, while Lyka Manglal-lan from the NBDB’s Policy and Industry Research Division shared insights from the 2023 National Readership Survey, highlighting innovative solutions to combat the nation’s reading crisis.

    Building inclusive, innovative, and expansive spaces

    Day 2 was headlined by actor, activist, and speaker Mae Paner (Juana Change), who moderated discussions on creating inclusive, forward-thinking reading spaces. Standout sites, including BN Guinobatan (Albay) for Innovation, BN Carles (Iloilo) for Inclusivity, and BN Sagay (Negros Occidental) for Expansion, were showcased for their unique strategies for overcoming challenges.

    National Program Coordinator Carlo Ebeo shared fresh perspectives on how Book Nooks can forge deeper community connections. Breakout sessions featured NLP’s Melanie “Melai” Ramirez on dynamic storytelling techniques and Jean Ico, NLP Section Head of Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Special Collections, leading hands-on book care and binding.

    In the closing session, Dr. Excelsa “Etchel” Tongson from UP Diliman introduced a framework for gender-fair practices, encouraging attendees to foster harmony within their reading communities.

    Looking ahead: transforming spaces, inspiring readers

    On the final day, participants toured the NLP, the Quezon City Public Library, and the Valenzuela City Library to observe exemplary models of excellence. These visits inspired attendees with new ideas for enhancing their own sites and building stronger community engagement through reading programs.

    Though managing a Book Nook site comes with its challenges, participants left the conference energized, ready to advance the vision of thriving, accessible reading spaces across the Philippines.

    NBDB Press Release

    20 September 2024

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    Ma. Divine R. Caraecle

    +639199749770

    mdcaraecle@books.gov.ph

  • 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 world’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 Mahaba’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)

    José 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
    • Arawán
    • Turno Kong Nokturno: Mga Bago at Piling Tula

    Mesándel 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. Meläg 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 Aswang           Written and illustrated by

    Mervin Malonzo

    Self-published

    TRANSLATED BOOK (ENGLISH)

    1. Ikigai Ug Ubang Piniling Mga Sugilanon (And Other Selected Stories)
    2. Húbad: 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)
    • Palâisgën: 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-Exupéry

    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 Iñigo Chua (Editor)

    James Owen Saguinsin Jonathan Best

    University of Santo Tomas Publishing House

    Vibal Foundation, Inc. Vibal Foundation, Inc.

    SOCIAL SCIENCES

    1. Conflict’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 Marcuse’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  and  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

    René 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 Communicator’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. Ilác, 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

    • Piña 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

  • 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬’ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) believes that the determination of reading advocates in the Philippines remains strong despite the current challenges facing the state of reading in the country.

    The State of the Reading Nation Address (SORNA) for the second quarter of this year was presented during the inaugural Milestone Meeting of the National Alliance of Reading Advocates (NARA). This initiative, a project of the NBDB, brings together numerous readership advocates and plays a crucial role in the NBDB’s ongoing efforts to foster a love for reading in the Philippines.

    The second-quarter SORNA highlighted three key areas: the importance of community engagement and support networks, the necessity of teacher training and professional development, and the critical issue of access to resources and materials.

    “To address these vital points, advocates and stakeholders across government, non-government, and private sectors are working tirelessly to rekindle a love for reading among Filipino adults and children and to prevent a reading crisis,” emphasized Daniel Lorenzo Mariano, OIC of NBDB’s Readership Development Division (READ).

    Established in the second quarter, the NARA and its members are collaboratively working to enhance Philippine readership. In April, the NBDB hosted the second edition of its flagship event, the Philippine Book Festival (PBF), a four-day fair attended by over 30,000 people. This event also served as the platform for the soft launch of NARA. The all-Filipino book fair aims to promote a culture of reading and simultaneously support the growth of the publishing industry in the country.

    In response to the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, which underscored the need to address literacy and reading issues, the Department of Education (DepEd) has adopted a science-based approach to teaching reading. Stakeholders are hopeful that the incoming DepEd chief, Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, will advocate for reading and address the country’s literacy challenges.

    In collaboration with DepEd, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is promoting a reading mindset through its nationwide tutoring program, “Tara, Basa.” This initiative has trained thousands of student-tutors and youth development workers to conduct reading sessions for struggling and non-reader Grade 2 learners in public elementary schools. The program also includes “Nanay-Tatay” teacher sessions to empower parents and guardians to actively support their children’s reading journeys.

    Several Local Government Units (LGUs), along with private and non-profit organizations, have also launched their own readership development programs.

    Other efforts implemented during the second quarter aim to foster a reading culture among Filipinos and shape the country’s reading landscape.

    “The NBDB, through NARA, is working on developing a NARA Readers’ Agenda. Alongside passionate advocates such as educators, librarians, publishers, community leaders, and students, we will continue to raise our collective voice to highlight the power of reading and make it an exciting and enriching adventure,” added Mariano.

    NBDB PRESS RELEASE – 19 July 2024

    Communications and Promotions

    National Book Development Board

    View Books Philippines Catalog

    Visit the www.philippinebookfest.com