Dennis Guevarra, the Philippines Graphic Ad Sales Manager, found himself in a fix. One of the major sponsors was having second thoughts about the amount of support for their upcoming event.
Over the years, clinching corporate sponsorships for literary awards had become more difficult as marketing budgets shifted from prestige-driven, cultural events toward highly popular, large-scale crowd-pleasers that enjoyed the widest possible audience.
It didn’t help that the country was experiencing an economic downturn. Consequently, the annual Nick Joaquin Literary Awards (NJLA), which typically incurs a million-peso expense, might need to be scaled down for 2026.
They may have to eliminate the livestreaming, which costs ₱50,000. Perhaps they can forgo the Graphic Reader covers exhibit this year and reduce the guest list. However, despite these cutbacks, NJLA 2026 will definitely push through on August 27 at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.
BEST IN SHORT FICTION, POETRY
Media tycoon and “Komiks King” Don Ramon Roces founded the Graphic in 1927. Ownership passed to industrialist J. Antonio Araneta in 1965 until the magazine’s closure in 1972 during the time of martial law. Its third owner, the late Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua—a business mogul and philanthropist—revived the Graphic in 1990.
Under three different owners, the Graphic gave space to Philippine poetry and short fiction written in English, while providing coverage of critical issues. The publication also established several awards, including the Graphic Short Story Prizes (1927–1965) and the Graphic Weekly Literary Awards (1965–2004). Today, it continues this legacy with the Nick Joaquin Literary Awards (NJLA).
The NJLA is named in honor of Nick Joaquin, who passed away in 2004. He was a National Artist for Literature and the first Editor-in-Chief of the Philippines Graphic when it was revived in 1990.
Deeply committed to promoting Philippine Literature in English, the magazine lent brilliance to the then budding writing careers of soon-to-be literary greats like National Artists for Literature Jose Garcia Villa, NVM Gonzales, and Bienvenido Lumbera; Bienvenido N. Santos, Estrella Alfon, Sinai C. Hamada, Edilberto K. Tiempo, Gregorio Brillantes, and many more.
Except for a two-year lull during the COVID-19 pandemic, the NJLA continues to give awards of recognition and cash prizes to the best short stories published in the magazine.
The annual awards added the Poet of the Year in 2013 to honor the wordsmith with the best poem featured in the Graphic. Its first winner was the late Bicolano poet Marne Kilates.
GRAPHIC READER
In 2022, the Graphic released the Philippines Graphic Reader. Edited and curated by trilingual multi-awarded poet and essayist Marra PL. Lanot, the Graphic Reader is the only monthly magazine in the country today that is completely devoted to publishing short stories and poems written in English by budding and veteran Filipino writers and poets.
Every month, it features in its pages four short stories and four poems selected from literary submissions to the magazine—matched by the colorful illustrations of visual artists that grace its covers, with support from Graphic Reader Creative Director Ed Davad and Creative Design Consultant Ces Cabangon.
In 2024, this marriage of creative word and visual artistry was celebrated with an exhibit of all 12 Graphic Reader covers, rendered by talented illustrators Randy Constantino and Ardie Aquino. Noted visual artist Jimbo Albano executed the companion magazine’s inside illustrations.
GRAPHIC SALUTE, OUTREACH
In 2023, the NJLA launched the Graphic Salute tradition. An essential part of the NJLA program, the Graphic Salute formally introduced to the public the poets and short fictionists featured in the Graphic Reader.”
T. Anthony C. Cabangon, publisher of the Philippines Graphic and the Philippines Graphic Reader explained it best. “Publication is the first hurdle of a writer who wants the public to read his or her work. Publication is the first level of the competition for public awareness. To breeze past the line-up of a hundred or more writers who submitted their works; to have your work chosen for publication—that is no mean feat. That deserves a Graphic Salute.”
The following year, in April 2024, the Graphic launched its provincial outreach by way of the NJLA-Local Government Unit (LGU) Advocacy for English and Literature project.
The project aims to improve English proficiency and foster a love for reading among public high school students through the Philippines Graphic Reader.
Among its early LGU partners: Mayor Arth Jhun Aguilar Marasigan, City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas; Mayor Angelo ‘Gel’ Alonte, Biñan City in Laguna; and Mayor Art Joseph Francis Mercado in San Pedro, Laguna.
NJLA 2026
This year, the NJLA will fete 81 Graphic Salute Awardees, translating to 47 short stories and 46 poems.
It will give plaques and cash awards to the Poet of the Year (P15,000) and to the authors of the top short stories of the year: 1st prize (P50,000), 2nd prize (P30,000), and 3rd prize (P20,000).
NJLA 2026 entries will be judged by award-winning literary writers Susan S. Lara (panel chair), Jose Wendell Capili (guest judge), and Marra PL. Lanot (judge and Graphic Reader Editor).
Economic conditions may be difficult, but the Graphic and the NJLA will endure.
NJLA 2026 Graphic Salute Awardees
- ALAMEDA, Nicias J.
- ALCANZARE, Edrie T.
- AMISTAD, Esmeraldo C.
- AMONCIO, Dane Isagani
- ANDRES, Michelle
- ARCENAL, Mark Alden
- BADAJOS, Maria Cristina I. Canseco
- BALEÑA, Angel Beatrice
- BARILLO, Andrea Ricah
- BERIDA, Joshua
- BABAO, Cathy Sanchez
- BOMPING, Sean Uy
- BONABON, Mark P.
- BRAINARD, Cecilia Manguerra
- BROWN, Skarlet
- CABALQUINTO, Luis
- CALAÑAS, Arielle G.
- CARNICE, F. Jordan
- CASTILLO, Wayne Angelo
- CASTILLO, Kevin Angelo C.
- CIPRIASO, Frances Ashley
- CRUZ, Roel Sta. Romana
- CRUZ, Neni Sta. Romana
- CRUZ, Manna G.
- CUA, Alice M. Sun
- CUARTERO, Nestor
- DAVID, Jeff
- DELA CRUZ, Mark Vincent
- DE LEON, Ma. Guia Lopez
- DE LOS SANTOS Edelio P.
- DEOSO, George Gonzaga
- DOYO, Ma. Ceres
- ELIGIO, Jennifer Eugalca
- FELIX, Nestor
- GONZALES Elvie Victonette B. Razon
- GUEVARRA, Earl Carlo
- GIYE, Richard
- ILUSTRISIMO, Carmel
- ISO, Gemma Minda
- JASMIN, Sharee D.
- JOSE, Doreen dL
- KOONS, Fe P.
- LIM, Paulino Jr.
- LOLARGA, Babeth
- MACATANGAY, Laureez Vittoria C.
- MAGPILE, Christine Marie Lim
- MANALO, Paolo
- MILANA, Julia Marie A.
- MILANA, Peter Junriel
- MONTADAS, Prince Marlo D.
- MONTESEÑA, Francisco A.
- NARVAZA, Arvin
- NASOL, Nicolo
- NERY, Bianca Marie
- NOVICIO, Homer B.
- OLAY, Jeric Tindoy
- OLITA, Lourdes Fiel Marie F.
- ORTEGA, Jude
- ORTEGO, Carmie Flor Isanan
- PARLINGAYAN, John Mark G.
- PATRIARCA, Rick
- PEÑA, Kannika Claudine
- POZON, Vincent R.
- PRESTOZA, Mark Jhon R.
- REGINO, Nene
- ROCES, Ivan
- SARMIENTO, Menchu Aquino
- SICAM, Paulynn Paredes
- SOLETA, Maria Evelyn Quilla
- TABISAURA, Lyan
- TAER, Precious Ann Rahmea B.
- TIJAM, Mia
- TOLENTINO, Glenn Ford B.
- TORRES, Maria Teresa Q.
- TORRES, Reginald B.
- URAYENZA, Ariane May
- VILLANUEVA, Patrick
- YBAÑEZ, Louise Katrina C.
- YU, Hope Sabanpan
- ZAMORA, Fe B.
- ZARASPE, Hezekiah Louie
