Three publications from UP Visayas’ authors and editor made it to the list of finalists in the 42nd National Book Awards released on September 10, 2024.
The finalists include Benjamin, translated to Filipino by Dr. John Barrios and Fennie Mae Tanangonan; Plural Entanglements: Philippine Studies by Dr. Clement Camposano along with Dr. Dada Docot and Dr. Stephen B. Acabado; and Piña Features, written by Dr. Randy Madrid, were selected by the National Book Development Board and the Manila Critic Circle to be part of this year’s book awards.
Benjamin, the “first novel” written in Hiligaynon language by Angel Magahum, mentioned as the Father of Ilonggo Novels - and published under the University of the Philippines Press in 2023 - is a finalist in the “Best Translated Book in Filipino.”
The book was first released in 1907, but Magahum began writing it as early as 1894 and was published by La Panayana in Molo, Iloilo City. The publication can be considered a book of proper manners with the inclusion of didactic narratives in the novel. The book was translated by Dr. Barrios, who is a faculty member of the Division of Professional Education (ProfEd), College of Arts and Sciences of UPV, with Tanangonan, who is an alumna of the UP High School in Iloilo and is a current student of UP Diliman.
Plural Entanglements: Philippine Studies, published by the Ateneo de Manila University Press in 2023, “emphasizes the diverse foundations of scholarship and accentuates the need for scholars to look beyond Manila, figuratively and quite literally,” was also named a finalist in the Best Book in Social Sciences. The book includes “contributions that foreground the margins, look into the historical and contemporary participation of the Philippines in the global economy, critically assess theoretical canons on Philippine culture and history, and address urgent themes such as natural and human-made disasters and social justice.” Dr. Camposano is the current Chancellor of UP Visayas.
Piña Features, published by Far Eastern University, and Habi: The Philippine Textile Company qualified in the Best Book Design Category of the book awards. The book “offers fresh insight into the role of piña as an artisanal fabric, a trade commodity, a garment of honor and identity, and a treasure of the world.”
Dr. Madrid is currently a faculty member of the Division of Professional Education, CAS.
The awarding ceremony is slated to take place in November this year.
