Philippine National Book Awards

The Manila Critics Circle was founded in 1981 when Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta, Alfredo Navarro Salanga, Alfred A. Yuson, and Isagani R. Cruz realized that Philippine books were not getting the attention they deserved.

That magazine article carried this lede: “Considering the Philippines’ relatively high literacy rate, it is ironic that reading is not a favourite pastime among Filipinos.

A quartet of dedicated Manila littérateurs believes it’s high time something was done to dispel this literary lassitude.” Over the last four decades, this intrepid group of critics grew to include Leonides V. Benesa, Arlene Babst-Vokey, National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, Alice Guillermo, Doreen G. Fernandez, National Artist for Literature Resil B. Mojares, Roger Bresnahan, Miguel A. Bernad, SJ, Juaniyo Arcellana, National Artist for Literature Cirilo F. Bautista, Soledad S. Reyes, Joel Pablo Salud, Danton Remoto, and Ruel de Vera.

The present set of MCC members are Shirley O. Lua, Dean Francis Alfar, Alma Anonas-Carpio, Michael Coroza, and Tony La Viña.

Jenny Ortuoste, who passed on last July 21, 2024, continued to participate in the 42nd cycle of nominee selection for the National Book Awards until her health no longer allowed her to join the meetings and deliberations.

The NBDB also adds to the MCC’s expertise by inviting other critics, organizations, and schools to participate in the process of judging which books are the best of the year.

Our sculptors were Eduardo Castrillo, Agnes Arellano, Manuel Baldemor, Cesare and Jean Marie Syjuco, Edgar Doctor, Gino Gonzalez, National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva, Tito Sanchez, Glenn Cagandahan, Michael Allen R. Cacnio, Salvador Joel Alonday, Pete Jimenez, Lawin Abueva, and Raul Funilas.

The black and gold colors embody the significance of books’ entertainment value, flair to ignite creativity, and even power to spark a conversation.