42nd National Book Awards: Official list of finalists

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) have announced the finalists of the 42nd National Book Awards, which is slated to be held in November.

Every year, the National Book Awards recognizes and celebrates the most outstanding books written, designed, and published in the Philippines.

For the 42nd National Book Awards, 326 book titles were submitted in 31 categories comprising four languages, namely Filipino, English, Bikolano, and Ilokano.

According to the NBDB, the 42nd National Book Awards also "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."

Here is the official list of finalists:

Literary Division

Novel (English)

• "1762: A Novel" by Vin dela Serna Lopez
• "The Awakening Volume One of Alamat, A History of the Awakened" by Kadi Serafica
• "But for the Lovers" by Wilfrido D. Nolledo
• "Specimen Zero: A Science Fiction Novel" by Joel Pablo Salud
• "Wild Song" by Candy Gourlay

Novel (Filipino)

• "Hoy, Pong!" by Macky Cruz
• "Materyales sa Komplisidad" by Amado Anthony G. Mendoza III
• "Teorya ng Unang Panahon" by Edgar Calabia Samar

Short Fiction (English)

• "Barcelona" by Criselda Yabes
• "The Collected Stories of Gregorio C. Brillantes" by Jonathan Chua (Editor)

Short Fiction (Filipino)

• "26: Dagli Diagrams" by Jayson Visperas Fajardo
• "Mga Kalansay sa Hardin ng Panginoon: Isang Koleksiyon ng Maikling Kuwento" by Ronaldo Soledad Vivo, Jr.
• "Mula Ilog at Iba Pang Kuwento" by Romulo P. Baquiran Jr.
• "Pamalakaya" by Arnold Matencio Valledor
• "Pamarapara" by Arnold Matencio Valledor

Non-Fiction Prose (English)

• "Balik-Tanaw: The Road Taken" by Soledad S. Reyes
• "Daraga: Mirrors & Memory Essays" by Marne Kilates
• "Everything Is Fiction: Essays" by Vicente Garcia Groyon
• "The Singing Detainee and the Librarian with One Book: Essays on Exile" by Michael Beltran
• "Will You Happen, Past the Silence, through the Dark? Remembering Leonard Ralph Casper" by Linda Ty-Casper

Non-Fiction Prose (Filipino)

• "Oas: Mga Sanaysay" by Abdon M. Balde Jr.
• "Patinig at Iba Pang Sanaysay" by Soliman A. Santos
• "Virac: Tatlong Sanaysay" by Emmanuel Barrameda

Anthology (English)

• "Bordered Lives No More: The Humanities and the Post-COVID-19 Recovery" by Dinah Roma (Editor)
• "Route 55: 55-Word Workforce Narratives during the COVID-19 Pandemic)" by Joey A. Tabula (Editor)
• "Rx Narratives: Anthology of Creative Nonfiction of Filipino Internists) by Joey A. Tabula, Noel P. Pingoy, and Sandra A. Tankeh-Torres (Editors)

Anthology (Filipino)

• "Anti-Katha: Agos sa Experimental na Kuwento sa Pilipinas" by Rolando B. Tolentino and Rommel B. Rodriguez (Editors)
• "Bata, Hiwaga, Bansa: Pamana ni Rene O. Villanueva sa Panitikang Pambata" by Eugene Y. Evasco and Cheeno Marlo M. Sayuno (Editors)
• "Bio(Lente): Mga Bagong Katha sa Danas ng Dahas at Banwa" by Rolando B. Tolentino, German Villanueva Gervacio, and Januar Yap
• "Ningning at Liwanag: Antolohiya ng 10 Nagwagi sa Gawad Maningning Miclat sa Tula (2003-2021)" by Alma Cruz Miclat (Editor)
• "Pintanaga: Linya-Linya ng Pagsinta" by Joey A. Tabula (Editor)

Literary Criticism/Cultural Studies

• "Ang Bisa ng Pag-uulit sa Katutubong Panitikan" by Alvin B. Yapan
• "Everything is Realism: Essays on Narrative Craft" by Vicente Garcia Groyon
• "Lualhati Bautista, Nobelista: Ang Mapagpalayang Sining ng Kababaihan sa Pilipinas" by E. San Juan, Jr.
• "Pagmangno: Woman, Nation, Ecology, Bikol" by Paz Verdades M. Santos

Media Studies

• "Ang Mahaba’t Kagyat na Buhay ng Indie Sinema" by Rolando B. Tolentino and Aristotle J. Atienza (Editors)
• "Martial Law Melodrama: Lino Brocka's Cinema Politics" by Jose B. Capino
• "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" by Nick Deocampo

Poetry (English)

• "It Is Time to Come Home: New & Collected Poems" by Marjorie Evasco
• "Kafka in the Tropics: Poems" by Krip Yuson
• "Moving with Moonrise: Haibuns" by Ma. Milagros T. Dumdum
• "A Row of Lamps: Poems" by Jaime Dasca Doble
• "Planet Nine: Poems" by Joel M. Toledo

Poetry (Filipino)

• "Ang Aming Lungkot ay Amin" by Mesándel Virtusio Arguelles
• "Sa Antipolo pa rin ang Antipolo" by Abner E. Dormiendo
• "Arasahas: Mga Tula" by Jaya Jacobo
• "Arawán" by Christian Rey Pilares
• "Turno Kong Nokturno: Mga Bago at Piling Tula" by Lamberto E. Antonio

Graphic Novels and Comics (English)

• "Parched Earth Chronicles: The Complete Edition" - Written and illustrated by Jefe Bagabundo, Mark Anthony Mijares, Erik Guzman Pingol, Franco Sarmiento, Alfred John Lauzon, and Mauro Vargas
• "Trese 8: Shadow Agents" - Written by Budjette Tan and illustrated by KaJo Baldisimo
• "Sa Wala" - Written and illustrated by Ren Galeno
• "Whatcha Saying?" - Written and illustrated by CJ Reynaldo

Graphic Novels and Comics (Filipino)

• "Ella Arcangel Tomo Pangatlo: Basbas ng Apoy" - Written and illustrated by Julius Villanueva
• "Meläg II: Balikbayan" - Written and illustrated by B. Redila
• "Sining Killing - Written and illustrated by Randy Valiente
• "Sskait Comics 3: Multoserye" - Written and illustrated by AJ Bacar
• "Tabi Po: Harana ng Aswang" - Written and illustrated by Mervin Malonzo

Translated Book (English)

• "Ikigai Ug Ubang Piniling Mga Sugilanon (And Other Selected Stories)" - Translator: Marjorie Evasco; Author: Manu Avenido
• "Húbad: Ester Tapia" - Translator: Merlie M. Aluna; Author: Ester Tapia "The Ravaged World" - Translator: Soledad S. Reyes; Author: Rosario de Guzman-Lingat
• "The Vanished - Translator: Ned Parfan; Author: Chuckberry Pascual

Translated Book (Filipino)

• "Benjamin" - Translators: John E. Barrios and Fennie Mae T. Tanangonan; Author: Angel Magahum
• "It Ends with Us - Translator: Sheila Mendoza; Author: Colleen Hoover
• "Mga Kuwentong Bayan para sa Gabing Maulan (Tales for a Rainy Night)" - Translator: Chuckberry J. Pascual; Author: Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo
• "Palâisgën: Epikong-bayan ng mga Tagbanua ng Aborlan, Palawan" - Translators: Paul D. Jagmis, Sr. and Mary Grace A. Jagmis; Contributors: Paul D. Jagmis Sr., Gem-Gem Bagued, Fernando Lingsa, and Delia Jardinero

Translated Book (Ilokano)

• "Ti Bassit a Prinsipe (The Little Prince)" - Translators: Cles B. Rambaud and Faye Q. Flores-Melegrito; Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Drama and Film

• "Collected Plays 1: Revitalizing Tradition in Three Full-Length Films" by Nicanor G. Tiongson
• "Collected Plays 2: Resurrecting History in Three Full-Length Musicals" by Nicanor G. Tiongson
• "Lutong Bahay" by Glecy Cruz Atienza
• "Ang Paglalakbay ni Prinsipe Bahaghari" by Aina Ysabel B. Ramolete and Vladimeir B. Gonzales

Short Fiction in Bikol

• "Dyurnal Intris" by Jerome M. Hipolito
• "Kalatraban sa Alkawaraan" by Niles Jordan Breis

Poetry in Bikol

• "An Santero Kan Santo Entierro" by D.B. Gonzaga
• "Dios Mabalos: Mga Rawitdawit" by Jaime Jesus Uy Borlagdan
• "Kalagnon: Mga Rawitdawit" by Jaime Jesus Uy Borlagdan
• "Kinalburong Lanub" by Kristian Sendon Cordero
• "Mayong Katapusan na Pabalon asin iba pang Huyon-Huyon: Mga Rawitdawit" by Raul Giga Bradecina

Non-Literary Division

Art

• "Julio Nakpil (1867-1960) Collected Works Volume Two: Band and Orchestral Music" by Maria Alexandra Iñigo Chua (Editor)
• "Nineteenth-Century Masters of Angono Art" by James Owen Saguinsin
• "Philippine Colonial Photography of the Cordilleras (1860-1930)" by Jonathan Best

Social Sciences

• "Conflict’s Long Game: A Decade of Violence in the Bangsamoro" by Francisco J. Lara, Jr. and Nikki Philline C. de la Rosa (Editors)
• "Plural Entanglements: Philippine Studies" by Dada Docot, Stephen B. Acabado, and Clement C. Camposano (Editors)
• "Re-Imagining Post-Pandemic Societies: Alternative Practices across Southeast Asia Volume 2" by 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)
• "Saints of Resistance: Devotions in the Philippines under Early Spanish Rule" by Christina H. Lee
• "Tinipong Tinig ng Kababaihan (Anthology of Women's Voices): Priestesses to Presidents" by Nenita Pambid Domingo (Editor) and Brandon J. Macapagal Reilly (Associate Editor)

Philosophy

• "Critical Theory at the Margins: Applying Herbert Marcuse’s Model of Critical Social Theory to the Philippines" by Jeffrey Ocay
• "The Metaphysics of the Holy Eucharist" by Raymun J. Festin, SVD

History

• "Abaca Frontier: The Socioeconomic and Cultural Transformation of Davao, 1898-1941" by Patricia Irene Dacudao
• "Dauntless" by Marie Silva Vallejo
• "Dogs in Philippine History" by Ian Christopher B. Alfonso
• "Tales of the Post-Plantation: Unlikely Protagonists of Modern Philippine Banana History" by Robin Thiers
• "Tigaon 1969: Untold Stories of the CPP-NPA, KM, and SDK" by Soliman M. Santos Jr.

Humor, Sports, Lifestyle, and Business

• "Expanding Strategic Perspective: Revisiting Lessons from History and the Classics" by René B. Azurin
• "Paseos de Intramuros: A Guidebook to Manila's Walled City" by Jose Victor Z. Torres
• "Salumpuwit: Chairs, Lifestyle, Furniture" by Gerard Lico
• "Thrive! A Parent's Journey to Resilience" by Cherie Ann Lo, Joanna Herrera, Karyl Christine A. Abog, Maria Lyn Domingo, Rhoanne N. Ramas, and Melinda Tan
• "The Way Out Is In: Living and Loving, Pandemics and Beyond" by Ma. Lourdes Arellano Carandang

Food

• "Heritage Dishes of the Philippines" by Lady Camille L. de Guia

Science

• "Abaca Virus Diseases: Epidemics and Control" by Avelino D. Raymundo
• "Rediscovering Laguna de Bay: A Vital Natural Resource in Crisis" by Josefino C. Comiso, Maria Victoria O. Espaldon, and Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava (Editors)
• "Wild City: A Photographic Guide to Amphibians, Mammals, and Reptiles of Metro Manila" by Jelaine Gan, Trinket Constantino, and Abby Favis

Spirituality and Theology

• "Babaylan Sing Back: Philippine Shamans and Voice, Gender, and Place" by Grace Nono
• "The Eucharist: Continuing Global Project" by Aurelio C. Joaquin
• "Pinoy Devotional: Ang kapartner na devo ng Ang Bible: Pinoy Version" by Kerlyn Bobadilla, Ru dela Torre, Rigel Fortaleza et al.
• "Providence is Enough: Trusting God's Control in Crisis" by Mel Caparros
• "What do you Seek? Pastoral Accompaniment of Couples Living Together in A New Union" by Bobby V. Cena

Professions

• "A Cardiologist's Guide To Lowering High Blood Pressure" by Alan S. Tenerife
• "Hospital Bullies in the Philippine Clerkship and Residency Training: A Book of Discernment for Physicians, Nurses, and Psychologists Volume 3" by Erwin L. Manzano
• "PR Matters: A Communicator’s Guide to the Dynamic World of Public Relations by Members of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Philippine Chapter
• "Workplace Well-being in the Philippines: A Guidebook" by Ma. Tonirose D. Mactal, Emerald Jay D. Ilác, and Jaimee Felice Caringal-Go (Editors)
• "The Written Property: A Freelance Writer's Guide to Copyright" by Imelda Morales and Mark Robert Dy (Editors)

Journalism

• "COVID-19 in the News of Seekers, Scoundrels, and Saints" by Ma. Ceres P. Doyo
• "Serve" by Jo-Ann Q. Maglipon (Editor)
• "View from the Foxhole: Shaping the Political into the Personal" by Joel Pablo Salud

Design

• "A Death Foretold: The Ninoy Aquino Assassination Remembered" - Editors: Sarge Lacuesta, An Mercado-Alcantara, and Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta; Designer: Tom Estrera III
• "Dogs in Philippine History" - Author and Designer: Ian Christopher B. Alfonso
• "Everything Is Fiction: Essays" - Author: Vicente Gracia Groyon; Designers: Troy Binco and Ace Vincent Molo
• "It Is Time to Come Home: New & Collected Poems" - Author: Marjorie Evasco; Designer: Felix Mago Miguel Jr.
• "Piña Futures: Weaving Memories and Innovations" - Author: Randy M. Madrid; Designer: Felix Mago Miguel Jr.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News