Ateneo University Press wins Publisher of the Year for 8th Consecutive Year

On 14 March 2026, the National Book Development Board along with the Filipino Critics Circle hosted the 43rd National Book Awards at the Philippine Book Festival in SM Megatrade Hall. 

The National Book Awards recognizes the year’s most outstanding locally published books across genres and languages. Out of 385 submitted titles across 30 categories, written in Filipino, English, Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a, 139 were named finalists. The final 30 winners were selected for their literary merit, design excellence and contributions to Philippine literature and scholarship. The awards cover fiction and nonfiction categories including poetry, graphic novels and comics, translation, science, philosophy, history, humor, sports and lifestyle, spirituality and theology, art, food, design, journalism and business. 

The Ateneo University Press boasted 22 finalists across 15 categories, 7 of which took home the coveted golden trophies at the ceremony on Saturday. The winners include Isabela by Kaisa Aquino for Best Novel in English. Antimarcos by KHAVN for Best Novel in Filipino, Ang Bayang Panitikan: Ang Pagtatanghal ng Kabanalan sa Pakil, Laguna by Jerry C Respeto for Best Book on Literary Criticism/Cultural Studies, Collected Essays I: Philippine Theater History and Genres by Nicanor G Tiongson for Best Book of Literary History, Doña Perfecta: Isang Nobela by Benito Pérez Galdós, translated by Wystan de la Peña for Best Translated Book, Typhoons: Climate, Society, and History in the Philippines by James Francis Warren for Best Book in History, and The Call to Lead: Ignatian Wisdom and The Journey of Leading by Jake de Guzman for Best Book in Humor, Sports, and Lifestyle. 

Capping off the ceremony, the Ateneo de Manila University Press was once again awarded as Publisher of the Year, for the 8th consecutive year. This award recognizes the publisher that has "not only maintained high standards in book production but has also expanded the very inquiry into what constitutes an outstanding work of publishing."

The official citation by the NBDB and FCC elaborates,

One press that embodies this commitment is the Ateneo de Manila University Press, which has long been at the forefront of producing an influential body of scholarly and literary works that illuminate the Philippines and its wider place in history and the world. . . . Among its winning titles are fascinating studies across various forms and subjects. . . These works are not only excellent but necessary, urgent, and timely contributions to the country's growing body of knowledge. This distinction is conferred once more upon the Ateneo de Manila University press, a pioneer and stalwart of Philippine publishing which, since its founding in 1972, has always challenged our assumptions in pursuit of critical nationalism - creating space for the relentless inquiries that deepen our understanding of the nation and advancing both the art and practice of publishing.

There to accept the award on behalf of the Press were Head of Business and Operations Nieves Darroca, OIC for Editorial and Production Ace Vincent Molo, and Head of Marketing and Rights Camille Abaya. In accepting the award, this is what Ms Abaya had to say: 

"Congratulations to all the winners recognized today! On behalf of the Ateneo de Manila University Press, thank you to our authors, without whose work we wouldn’t be here, to our readers, fellow publishers and of course to the National Book Development Board and the Filipino Critic’s Circle for this great honor — for what is now the 8th year in a row."

"It is a privilege to be able to publish books in any capacity. Just as in any endeavour worth doing, publishing involves a certain amount of risk. I stand here today fully cognisant of the great privilege that being a university press affords us - to be driven first and foremost by our mission and vision to create a forum for great and original ideas and new knowledge that weigh on life and living in our country the Philippines."

"It is this mission that gives us the freedom to publish titles that push boundaries and create new spaces for dialogue, while also filling the gaps in spaces long established. It has allowed us to publish bravely — books that criticise oppressive administrations, novels that challenge what we think a novel “should” be, or an almost 800 page book about typhoons."

"Philippine culture, stories, scholarship, characters, settings, struggle and resistance. This is at the center of our work. 2025 was a challenging year, but also immeasurably rewarding. We remember that we publish because of the Filipino, and for the Filipino. And by we, I don’t just mean the Ateneo Press but indeed all of us here. The Philippine publishing industry."

"Thank you for this recognition, but more importantly thank you for the trust, the support, the challenge, the criticism, and the community. We have all tried in our own ways to spread truth in a world where truth is hard to come by. To stand firm in the belief that many truths can be true at once. There is still so much work to do, work we cannot do without each other. So let us all move forward with our mission to create, promote, preserve and protect Philippine literature and scholarship."

"Lastly, from Palestine to the Philippines end the US war machine, and happy women’s month!"

"Maraming salamat po."