The 20th Gintong Aklat Awards brought forth exciting changes to acknowledge the diverse literature and the remarkable contributions of the Book Development Association of the Philippines’ (BDAP) members.
Established in 1981 and held every two years, the primary objective of the Gintong Aklat Awards is to recognize and encourage the production of quality books that excel in all aspects of bookmaking.
This includes acknowledging outstanding established and new publishers who have made significant contributions to the industry. The specific areas for recognition encompass book production (printing, binding, etc.), book content (writing and
editing), and book design.
An addition to the categories was the Graphic Literature category, which includes comics, graphic novels, and other illustrated forms of storytelling.
Special recognition was also given to outstanding publishers in the five categories— Best Publisher in the Arts and Humanities, Best Academic and Scholarly Publisher, Best Literary Publisher, Best Independent Publisher, and Best General Interest Publisher.
Furthermore, this year’s Gintong Aklat Awards included a special award for the best book design among all the short-listed entries.
This year, Gintong Aklat Awards recognized the best books published in 2020 and 2021 with 15 winners and 27 finalists.
Here is the list of winners:
Poetry (English):
● Milflores Publishing, Inc. and Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities
for Harvest Moon: Poems and Stories from the Edge of the Climate Crisis by
Padmapani Perez, Rehanna Rossouw, Alexandra Walter, Renato Redentor
Constantino (Editors)
Fiction (English):
● Ateneo de Manila University Press for My Sad Republic: A Novel (Twentieth
Anniversary Edition) by Eric Gamalinda
Creative Nonfiction (English):
● Milflores Publishing Inc. for Rizal in Saga: A Life for Student Fans by Nick
Joaquin, Introduction by Ambeth Ocampo
Poetry (Filipino):
● Isang Balangay Media Productions for Atra by Mesandel Virtusio Arguelles
Fiction (Filipino):
● Ateneo de Manila University Press for Aswanglaut by Allan N. Derain
Creative Nonfiction (Filipino):
● UST Publishing House for #Pasahero: Mga Nakikisakay na Sanaysay by Joselito D.
delos Reyes
Arts and Humanities:
● Ateneo de Manila University Press for Endangered Splendor: Manila’s
Architectural Heritage 1571-1960 (Volume 1: The Center) Hardbound by Erik
Akpedonu and Fernando N. Zialcita
Food:
● Anvil Publishing Inc. for Notes from My Kitchen 2 by Reggie Aspiras
Inspiration:
● OMF Literature, Inc. for This Season of Grief by Various Contributors, Joanna
Nicolas-Na (Editor)
● San Anselmo Publications, Inc. for Companion! XJ Narratives by Gemino Abad,
L.F. Habito and Prof. Ed Garcia (Editors)
Science and Technology:
● Ateneo de Manila University Press for The Zanjeras of Ilocos: Cooperative
Irrigation Societies of the Philippines by Jose A. Rivera
● Far Eastern University for A Guide to Gingers of Sorsogon by Rudolph Valentino
A. Docot
Natural and Applied Sciences:
● Ateneo de Manila University Press for Drugs and Philippine Society by Gideon
Lasco
Social Sciences:
● Vibal Group, Inc. for Pugot: Head Taking, Ritual Cannibalism, and Human Sacrifice
in the Philippines by Narciso C. Tan
Graphic Literature:
● Summit Media (Summit Publishing Co., Inc.) for Salamangka 2 by Ian Sta.
Maria
Best in Book Design:
● Ateneo de Manila University Press, Some Are Smarter Than Others: The History
of Marcos’ Crony Capitalism, Cover Art and Design Alfred Marasigan, Book
Design by Paolo Tiausas
● Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development (CANVAS)
I am the Change in Climate Change, Book and Cover Design by Liza Flores and
Cover Photo by Ruben Flores
● Isang Balangay Media Productions Atra, Cover Design by Oliver Ortega and
Ruzzel Valdepena, Book Design and Layout Design by Ruzzel Valdepena
● Isang Balangay Media Productions Pesoa, Book Cover Design by Mesandel
Virtusio Arguelles and Book Layout by Ronald Verzo II
● Milflores Publishing Inc. and Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities
Harvest Moon: Poems and Stories from the Edge of the Climate Crisis, Book Design
by Felix Mago Miguel Jr.
● Vibal Group, Inc. for Pugot: Head Taking, Ritual Cannibalism, and Human Sacrifice
in the Philippines, Book Design by Francisco dC Mendoza and Cover Design by
Ryan T. dela Cruz
BEST PUBLISHER OF THE YEARS
2020-2021
● Best Publisher in the Arts and Humanities – Ateneo de Manila University
Press
● Best Academic and Scholarly Publisher – Ateneo de Manila University Press
● Best Literary Publisher – Ateneo de Manila University Press
● Best Independent Publisher – Milflores Publishing Inc.
● Best General Interest Publisher – Anvil Publishing Inc.
The BDAP has been successful in raising awareness of the importance of books and reading in the country. It has also helped to improve the quality of books published in the Philippines.
For more information about the Gintong Aklat Awards 2022, 44th Manila
International Book Fair and BDAP, please email BDAP secretariat at
bdapsecretariat@gmail.com.
