Ateneo University Press one of two Publishers of the Year at the 42nd National Book Awards

Ateneo University Press and the University of the Philippines Press have been presented with the prestigious Publisher of the Year award. 

The Ateneo de Manila University Press was named Publisher of the Year, alongside the University of the Philippines Press, at the Centro de Turismo Intramuros in Manila on 23 November 2024. This is the seventh year in a row that the Ateneo Press has been bestowed this award, bringing its total to eight Publisher of the Year wins. The award is given to the publishing press with the most number of award-winning books. This year, it is a tie between the Ateneo Press and UP Press, with seven of their titles garnering prizes.

The National Book Awards, managed by the National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics’ Circle, is an annual prize that recognizes “the most prestigious book titles written, designed, and published in the Philippines."

Out of 25 finalists, seven titles were selected as winners: 

Best Novel in English

1762: A Novel

by Vin Dela Serna Lopez

"Nais ko rin pong ipaabot ang aking pagsaludo sa mga university press, independent publisher, atbp., na patuloy na naglalaan ng espasyo sa mga kuwento ng kasaysayan--kasaysayan hindi lamang bilang kuwento ng nakaraan, kundi kasaysayan bilang kuwento ng ating kasalukuyan at kuwentong tutugunan ng konsensya ng susunod na panahon."

Best Novel in Filipino

Teorya ng Unang Panahon

by Edgar Calabia Samar

"Gusto ko pasalamatan lahat ng patuloy na nagsusulat at nagbabasa ng nobela sa isang panahon na parang napakakili na ang panahon na unawain ang isa't isa."

National Artist Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English

The Collected Stories of Gregorio C. Brillantes

edited by Jonathan Chua

Best Book of Literary Criticism/Cultural Studies

Ang Bisa ng Pag-uulit sa Katutubong Panitikan

by Alvin B. Yapan

"Ang librong ito ay isang pangangarap na sana kapag nagsusulat tayo ng kritisismong pampanitikan o bumubuo ng kultural na teorya, sana basahin din natin ang mga epiko natin, mito, alamat, at kuwentong-bayan. Sana sangguniin din natin ang karunungang-bayan ng katutubong panitikan."

Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in the Social Sciences

Plural Entanglements: Philippine Studies

edited by Dada Docot, Stephen B. Acabado, and Clement C. Campasano

John C. Kaw Prize for Best Book on History

Tales of the Post-Plantation: Unlikely Protagonist of Modern Philippine Banana History

by Robin Thiers

Best Book in Spirituality and Theology

Babaylan Sing Back: Philippine Shamans and Voice, Gender, and Place

by Grace Nono

"1989 was when I met a living baylan for the first time. This debunked for me the claim that ritual specialists perished with colonization. Since then I knew there are parallel narratives straight from our people's voices that don’t make it to official statements and documents, subjugated knowledges that are looked down upon by many of us. My work has been to listen to them, to try my best to understand them, to let them guide my writing, singing, and community engagements. It’s backbreaking work but one that has been curing my own alienation from people and ways that I claim to be my own, an endeavor that could potentially help heal the deep fractures of our society."

Our deepest gratitude goes to the National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics’ Circle for recognizing our commitment to championing books that center on diverse Filipino narratives locally and abroad. During the awarding ceremony, the National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics’ Circle stated: "We honor all the presses actively working to innovate and maintain the standards of excellence held dear in Philippine publishing. The Ateneo de Manila University Press is recognized as one of the Publishers of the Year at the 42nd National Book Awards. This accolade underscores the Press's commitment to advancing Philippine literature, scholarship, and culture through high-quality publications. The Ateneo de Manila University Press, known for its diverse publication that span fiction, non-fiction, academic research, poetry, and translation, has consistently showcased both established and emerging voices. The Press's mission to contribute to intellectual and cultural discourse has made it a cornerstone of Philippine publishing. The seven National Book Awards that it has received at the 42nd National Book Awards highlights its significant contributions to the literary landscape, fostering works that engage with vital social, historical, and contemporary issues. The Ateneo de Manila University Press receives this distinction for the seventh consecutive year now."

The winning titles and more are available here:

• Website: unipress.ateneo.edu
• Shopee: go.ateneo.net/Shopee
• Lazada: go.ateneo.net/Lazada