Philippines Graphic to present Nick Joaquin Literary Awards on Sept. 13

The bright lights of the country’s literary community come to illuminate the 2017 Nick Joaquin Literary Awards (NJLA): The Nick Joaquin Centennial of the Philippines Graphic on Sept. 13 (Tuesday), 7 p.m. at the BHotel on 14 Scout Rallos, Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City.

Plaques and cash prizes: First Place (P50,000); Second Place (P30,000); and Third Place (P20,000)— will be given to the top three short stories contributed in the Graphic’s Literary Section. A material prize will also be awarded to the chosen “Poet of the Year.”

With support from Graphic Editor-in-Chief Joel Pablo Salud and Graphic Literary Editor Alma Anonas-Carpio, the selection of the 2017 NJLA winners was determined by a panel of judges composed of noted writers Alfred ‘Krip’ Yuson, Susan S. Lara, and Angelo ‘Sarge’ Lacuesta.

The Graphic, which began in 1927, celebrates this year’s NJLA with a homage to the 100th year birth anniversary of National Artist Nick Joaquin, the Graphic’s first editor-in-chief after it was relaunched in 1990 through its third owner—the late media mogul-businessman and philanthropist Antonio L. Cabangon Chua and his family.

The evening will have a cultural presentation of Joaquin’s life and times in the Graphic as depicted in choice photographs and favorite songs of the National Artist to be rendered by singer Madonna Decena and the La Voce Chorale, and produced by the events company, Actualizer Worldwide Group.

“Time with Nick,” will see fellow writers, former Graphic staff, and long-time friends of Joaquin share their memories of the late National Artist.

Recognizing the pivotal role of the National Artist for Literature in promoting Philippine values and culture through the written word, a Guardian of the National Memory Award will be presented to the four living National Artists for Literature, namely, F. Sionil Jose, Virgilio Almario, Bienvenido  Lumbera, and Cirilo Bautista.

The award will be presented by the Graphic and the Aliw Media Group—mother company of Philippines Graphic, BusinessMirror, Pilipino Mirror, DWIZ, and CNN Philippines

A Patron of the Year Award will be presented to Pru Life UK, a leading insurance company in the Philippines. Pru Life UK and the Philippines Graphic have been partners in supporting Philippine literature through the Graphic’s literary section and the NJLA.

The 2017 NJLA was made possible with the support of Pru Life UK, BHotel, San Miguel Corporation, SM, Land Bank of the Philippines, Eurotel, Richmonde Hotel, Diamond Hotel, Icon Hotel, Kitsho, Apag Marangle, Aggings, the Philippine Retirement Authority, Quaker Oats, Strategic Edge, Team Energy, The Medical City, Hawk Bags, and Roma.