A Night Celebrating the Best Books
By Rhoda Osalvo
The 41st National Book Awards was held on February 24, 2024, at the Arete Hall of the Ateneo De Manila University in Quezon City to celebrate the brilliance and talents of the country’s publishing industry.
Organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC), this year’s Book Awards lauded 35 titles in seven different languages: Filipino, English, Bikol, Binisaya, Hiligaynon, Tausug, and Waray produced by publishers from different parts of the Philippines in 2022.
Donning their Filipiniana, the winning authors, artists, and publishers went onstage to each receive their black and gold Perpetual Trophy designed by artist Apolinario L. Aquino Jr.
But the awarding would not be complete without giving the highest honor of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Isagani R. Cruz—writer, critic, educator, publisher.
The LIfetime Achievement Award is a fitting tribute to Dr. Cruz who has written many brilliant essays, short stories, and novels and has received accolades both locally and internationally. A founding member of the Manila Critics Circle, this exemplary man was instrumental in the creation of other organizations and foundations.
After the presentation of awards, Ms. Charisse Aquino-Tugade, NBDB executive director, delivered her message by pondering on “how awards can, even in the smallest of ways, contribute to the trajectory of a writer’s career, be it in the form of wider readership, an increase in print runs, or just being granted more time and space to write.”
Dean Francis Alfar, MCC chair, was the witty and entertaining master of ceremonies.
