The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Filipino Critics Circle (FCC) have announced the 30 winning titles of the 43rd Annual National Book Awards (NBA), honoring the country’s most outstanding locally published books across genres and languages.
A total of 385 titles were submitted across 30 categories, covering works written in Filipino, English, Hiligaynon, and Kinaray-a. From these, 139 titles were named finalists, with 30 emerging as winners representing the best-written and best-designed books in their respective fields.
This year’s winning titles span 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.
In the Literary Division, winners include Isabela Kaisa Aquino by Ateneo de Manila University Press for Best Novel in English; Antimarcos by Khavn, also published by Ateneo de Manila University Press, for Best Novel in Filipino; and Charlson Ong’s Sojourner, Settler, Seer (Milflores Publishing, Inc.), recipient of the National Artist Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English. Luna Sicat Cleto’s Tatlong Proposisyon ng Puting Hangin (Isang Balangay Media Productions) won the Gerardo P. Cabochan Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in Filipino.
Dinah Roma’s Weaving Basey: A Poet’s History of Home (Katig Writers Network Inc.) received the Pablo A. Tan Prize for Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in English, while Vim Nadera’s Tokhang at Iba Pang Nanlabang Sanaysay (The University of the Philippines Press) was named Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in Filipino. Mapping New Stars: A Sourcebook on Philippine Speculative Fiction, edited by Gabriela Lee, Anna Felicia Sanchez, and Sydney Paige Guerrero (The University of the Philippines Press), won Best Anthology in English, while Ragasa: Apat na Dekada ng Pagsulong ng mga Kuwentistang Katha, edited by Rolando B. Tolentino and others (The University of the Philippines Press), won Best Anthology in Filipino.
Other Literary Division winners include Jerry C. Respeto’s Ang Bayang Panitikan: Ang Pagtatanghal ng Kabanalan sa Pakil, Laguna (Ateneo de Manila University Press) for Literary Criticism or Cultural Studies; Nicanor G. Tiongson’s Collected Essays I: Philippine Theater History and Genres (Ateneo de Manila University Press) for Literary History; and Clodualdo del Mundo Jr.’s Disconnected Media and Other Essays (De La Salle University Publishing House) for Media Studies.
Rex Gamao’s With Decade Austere (Grana-PH Book Publishing) won the Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Best Book of Poetry in English, while Ronald Araña’s Landas sa Ilang (Atilano Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo Inc.) received the Victorio C. Valledor Prize for Best Book of Poetry in Filipino. Lucia Dreaming by Lucia Asul (Adarna House) was named Best Graphic Novel and Comics in English, while Elipsis by Ran Manansala and illustrator Jose T. Gamboa (Istorya Studios, Inc.) won in the Filipino category. Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós, translated by Wystan dela Peña (Ateneo de Manila University Press), was cited as Best Translated Book. Guelan Varela-Luarca’s Natal/National: Three Plays (Milflores Publishing, Inc.) won Best Book on Drama and Film, while Humadapnon (Ginlawan) Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Book 8, Volume 4, researched by Alicia P. Magos and Anna Razel Limoso Ramirez (The University of the Philippines Press), was recognized as Best Book of Poetry in Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a.
In the Non-Literary Division, Haegue Yang: The Cone of Concern by Magdalen Chua and co-authors (De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Inc.) won the Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Art. Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz’s More Mindanawon Than We Admit (Vibal Foundation) received the Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in the Social Sciences, while Jerry D. Imbong’s Towards a Mindanawon/Lumad Philosophy (Aletheia Printing and Publishing House) was named Best Book in Philosophy. James Francis Warren’s Typhoons: Climate, Society, and History in the Philippines (Ateneo de Manila University Press) won the John C. Kaw Prize for Best Book on History.
Jake de Guzman’s The Call to Lead: Ignatian Wisdom and The Journey of Leading (Ateneo de Manila University Press) was recognized as Best Book on Humor, Sports, and Lifestyle, while Covering Nanay: The Philippine Microinsurance Journey by Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, Lorenzo O. Chan Jr., and Pia Benitez Yupangco (The Bookmark, Inc.) won Best Book on Business. Clang Garcia’s Secret Kitchens of Samar (Volumes 1 to 5), published by the Province of Samar, was named Best Book on Food. Vinz Pascua’s Birds of Subic Bay (Birds in Focus, Inc.) won Best Book in Science, and Discipleship For Today’s Filipino: Ang Calling Ng Christian Para Sa Bayan by Rico Villanueva and Jayeel Cornelio (OMF Literature Incorporated) received the award for Best Book in Spirituality and Theology.
Juan Miguel F. Zubiri’s The Road to Peace: Crafting the Bangsamoro Organic Law was cited as Best Book on Professions, while Jose F. Lacaba’s Carabeef Lengua (The University of the Philippines Press) won the Hilarion and Esther Vibal Prize for Best Book in Journalism. In the Design category, Matayog na Puno: The Life and Art of Hugo C. Yonzon, Jr., designed by Paula Yonzon (Yonzon Associates, Inc.), received the award for Best Book Design.
Co-administered by the NBDB and the FCC, the National Book Awards recognizes outstanding print titles for their literary merit, design excellence, and contributions to Philippine literature and scholarship. The awards celebrate works that enrich literacy across the country, particularly among young Filipinos.
The awarding ceremony will be held on March 14, 2026, during the Philippine Book Festival at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. For more information, visit books.gov.ph or contact [email protected].