Currently nursing a swollen tonsil, which is decidedly not shiny.
In other news: books!
Every Saturday of October, Visprint (which is celebrating its anniversary – happy anniversary!) will be holding a warehouse sale in their office in Pasay City. Here’s the price list.
A Bottle of Storm Clouds (PhP132) and Project 17 (PhP 120) are both on sale. Both can also be found in bookstores. (Just Fully Booked for Project 17, but other bookstores will be carrying it soon.)
If you can’t make it to Pasay, Visprint can deliver the books to you for free. Prices will be based on SRP. No discount, but hey free shipping, and you don’t have to leave your home.
Filipino Readercon – which is happening in November – will have a kick-off event at the 34th Manila International Book Fair – which is happening right now at the SMX Convention Center.
The kick-off event itself, including the announcement of the Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards shortlist, will happen tomorrow, Sept. 14.
FILIPINO READERCON KICK-OFF EVENT
September 14, 2013, 5:30-6:30PM Meeting Room 6, SMX Convention Center
34th Manila International Book Fair
We will be announcing the program line-up for this year’s ReaderCon at the event, as well as other online activities that book bloggers and readers can participate in. We will also be unveiling the short listed titles for this year’s Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards, based on the voting that happened in the past two weeks. These shortlisted titles (3 per category) will be the contenders for the next stage (panel judging) and the winners will be announced on the 3rd Filipino ReaderCon on November 9 at the Rizal Library at the Ateneo de Manila University.
You’re all invited to attend the Filipino ReaderCon Kick-off! If If you’ve never been to any of the previous Filipino ReaderCons, then this is your chance to have a feel of the event. (Spoiler: It’ll be fun :D) Attendees may also join The Great Book Swap during the event, a face-to-face book swapping activity. :) (Yay free books!)
My books, The Viewless Dark and A Bottle of Storm Clouds, were both longlisted in the FRCA. Thank you to the readers who have nominated and voted for these titles. Let’s see if they’re lucky enough to end up on the shortlist. ;) Here once again is the list of nominees.
When Ms. Nida told her cadre (posse? army?) of writers that in lieu of WIT (Writers in Talks, Visprint’s annual event), Visprint would help put up a function (nameless at the time) that would bring together some local publishers, I had no idea how massive the event was going to be.
When Aklatan (aklat = book, it’s the Filipino word for ‘library’) was formally announced via press releases and a Facebook event page, I still had no idea what to expect. I have not been inside The Tents in Alphaland Southgate Mall; I did not know that it could house 600 people. By the afternoon of Sept. 7, Ms. Nida told me that the register had recorded 800 attendees, and people are still lining up to sign up.
It was beautiful insanity. Everyone involved in the event looked like zombies.
Here were the publishers at this year’s Aklatan:
And here was the Aklatan host! We just had to take a picture with the beautiful Bebang Siy (It’s a Mens World):
(My shirt says ‘Different is Nice’ – very non-confrontational.)
I got a bit lost (it was a huge venue, and there was another function room) and nearly arrived late at my own book launch.
The Visprint table inside The Tents was busy, as always.
Launch inside the Balesin function room.
So here’s where I fail with my photos. I forgot to turn off the Macro function! Argh. Forgive the blurriness. Kunwari na lang Instagram filter. Hehe.
Books launched that day:
Ma’am, hindi nakikinig o. Haha!
Manix Abrera (Kikomachine Komix) attended my book launch, you guys. It’s my claim to fame.
Siege Malvar (Wakasang Wasak) brought a photobooth. We had our photos snapped before they folded up at lunch.
After signing some books (thank you thank you thank you devoted readers!), we headed back to The Tents. It’s the Contemporary Writers’ Panel with Carlo Vergara (ZsaZsa Zaturnnah), Eros Atalia (Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me), Ricky Lee (Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata), and Lourd De Veyra (Insectissimo!)
Fangirl moment with Carlo V.
Comic Book panel with Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldissimo (Trese), Paolo Fabregas (The Filipino Heroes League), and Manix.
Signed more books! Here’s Manix sitting down and thinking, Hay hindi na naman ako makakapag-lunch.
Went onstage myself for the Women Writers panel, with Prof. Jing Pantoja-Hidalgo (Catch A Falling Star), Nikki Alfar (Now, Then, and Elsewhen), Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta (Burning Houses), and Mayette Bayuga (Halinghing sa Hatinggabi).
Photo by Joel Salud
Went back to Balesin to listen to Flipside Publishing’s eKlatan, which featured talks about the local ebook industry.
Anthony de Luna, Flipside CEO.
Adam David.
Forgot to take a picture of A.S. Santos (she’s seated in the previous photos) but I really enjoyed her talk (which started with a ghost story – I love ghost stories). Go grab a copy of her book, Voices in the Theater.
Here’s my humble Aklatan loot. Buy my books so I can buy more books, please. Hee.
My book, Project 17, will be launched at the 2013 Aklatan book festival on Sept. 7. Also launching that day: Wakasang Wasak by Siege Malvar, and Budjette Tan’s Diabolical.
I will also be in the Women Writers panel at 1:30 pm with Prof. Jing Hidalgo, Nikki Alfar, Bebang Siy, and Mayette Bayuga.
I’ll be giving away bookmarks and mini-cards to readers who will pick up my books!
Visprint, Inc., in cooperation with The National Book Development Board (NBDB), presents Aklatan: The First All-Filipino Book Festival on September 7, 2013 at the Alpha Tents, 6th Floor of Alphaland Southgate Tower, EDSA cor. Chino Roces Avenue/Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City. Doors are open from 8am to 6pm.
Participating publishers include Milflores, UST Publishing House, DLSU Publishing House, Adarna, Flipside Publishing, UP Press, The UP Institute of Creative Writing, and many more.
Admission fee is Php 10.00 for students (present current school ID) and Php 50.00 for non-students. Non-students who will donate two or more books (non-textbook only, written by a Filipino author) will have a discounted fee of Php 20.00. All donated books will be sent to the library of a public school in Payatas.
The Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards has closed its nomination window to make way for the public voting. Voting ends Sept. 6. My books are nominated; do consider voting if you enjoyed them.
Thanks!
Children’s Picture Book
Mga Saranggola sa Tag-ulan (Kites in the Rain) by Eugene Evasco (story), Bernadette Solina-Wolf (LG&M Corporation)
Naaay! Taaay! by Kristine Canon and Vanessa Tamayo (Adarna)
Ang Alamat ng Palay by Virgilio S. Almario and Conrad Raquel (Adarna)
Maia’s Birthday Party by Yvette Fernandez and Nicole Lim (Adarna)
Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon? by Russell Molina and Hubert Fucio (Adarna)
Pag-abot ni Kolor sa Lungsod by Susan dela Rosa Aragaon (Adarna)
Si Ambongan by Lamberto Antonio and JB Dela Pena (Adarna)
Ipinaglihi sa Labanos (White as Radish) by Luis P. Gaitmaitan and Ray Sunga (Anvil)
Ninoy, Cory, and Noynoy by Yvette Fernandez (Dream Big Books)
Tabon Girl by Irene Carolina A. Sarmiento and Manix Abrera (Anvil)
Porcupirate Plans the Day by Robert Magnuson (OMF)
Ako’y Isang Mabuting Pilipino by Noel Cabangon, Becky Bravo and Jomike Tejado (Lampara Books)
Siya Ba Ang Inay Ko? by Segundo D. Matias, Jr. and Jomike Tejido (Lampara Books)
Alamat ng Rosas by Segundo D. Matias, Jr and Ghani Madueno (Lampara Books)
Rizalpabeto by Vim Nadera and Elmer Borlongan (Canvas)
Ang Mga Lambing Ni Lolo Ding by Michael Coroza and Maurice Risulmi (Adarna)
Alamat ng Puno ng nara by Segundo D. Matias, Jr and Ghani Madueno (Lampara)
Alamat ng Anay by Mikhail C. Jamisola and Rowin T. Agarao (Lampara)
Menggay’s Magical Chicken by Nikki Alfar and Frances Alcaraz (Lampara)
Guardians of Tradition by Mae Astrid and Rommel Joson (Adarna)
Bahay Kubo by Pergylene Acuna (Adarna)
How Rosang Taba Won A Race by Dean Francis Alfar and Ghani Madueno (Lampara)
Chick lit
Interim Goddess of Love (Interim Goddess of Love # 1) by Mina V. Esguerra (Bright Girl Books)
That Kind of Guy by Mina V. Esguerra (Summit Books)
From This Day Forward by Marla Miniano (Summit Books)
Wander Girl by Tweet Sering (Flipside Publishing)
Home by Kat Santos (Flipside Publishing)
Novel in English
In My Mother’s House by Joni Cham (Central Books)
Voices in the Theater by A.S. Santos (Flipside Publishing)
Woman in a Frame by Raissa Rivera Falgui (Flipside Publishing)
The Viewless Dark by Eliza Victoria (Flipside Publishing)
Salingkit: A 1986 Novel by Cyan Abad-Jugo (Anvil)
Fish Hair Woman by Merlina Bobis (Anvil)
Agueda: A Ballad of Stone and Wind by Bampi Harper (UST Publishing)
Novel in Filipino
Love-Child by Bernadette (Chapters & Pages Corporation)
Ang Lihim ng San Esteban by Annette Flores Garcia and Nanoy Rafael (Adarna)
Once A Princess by Angel Bautista (Precious Pages Corporation)
Extra Rice at Ikaw by Yna Paulina (Precious Pages Corporation)
If Only Love by Sofia (Precious Pages Corporation)
Halina Sa Ating Bukas by Macario Pineda (Ateneo Press)
Si Crispin by Tony Perez (Anvil)
Love in Disguise by Heart Yngrid (Precious Pages Corporation)
An Encounter to Love by Victoria Amor (Precious Pages Corporation)
The Reality Show # 7: Seoul Searching by Angel Bautista (Precious Pages Corporation)
Hot Intruder: Kenshin, The Chinky-Eyed Stranger by Victoria Amor (Precious Pages Corporation)
Waves of Love by Grace Ayana (Precious Pages Corporation)
Hot Intruder: The Forgetful Intruder by Belle Feliz (Precious Pages Corporation)
The Masked Man by Victoria Amor (Precious Pages Corporation)
Wakapak (Ang Astig at Epal na Superhero) by Boy T. (Psicom)
Cupid’s Target by Gypsy Esguerra (Precious Pages Corporation)
Ang Sumpa Mo, Neneng by Rose Tan (Precious Pages Corporation)
Big Brother by Camilla (Precious Pages Corporation)
Villa Cattleya: One True Love by Belle Feliz (Precious Pages Corporation)
Villa Cattleya: Everlasting Love by Belle Feliz (Precious Pages Corporation)
Villa Cattleya: Mad Love by Belle Feliz (Precious Pages Corporation)
Three Words, Eight Letters, One Heart by Aya Meyers (Precious Pages Corporation)
Ang Mga Love Dilemma ni Jane by Yna Paulina (Precious Pages Corporation)
Traje de Boda Trilogy: Charo by Vanessa (Precious Pages Corporation)
Villa Cattleya: A Very Special Love by Belle Feliz (Precious Pages Corporation)
A Blogger’s Love Story by Yna Paulina (Precious Pages Corporation)
A Night to Surrender by Mandie Lee (Precious Pages Corporation)
Wildhorn # 6: Our Song by Maricar Dizon (Precious Pages Corporation)
Villa Cattleya: Crazy Love by Belle Feliz (Precious Pages Corporation)
A Quest to Your Heart by Victoria Amor (Precious Pages Corporation)
Always Yours by Jessica Sison (Precious Pages Corporation)
Villa Cattleya: Destined Love by Belle Feliz (Precious Pages Corporation)
Villa Cattleya: Endless Love by Belle Feliz (Precious Pages Corporation)
Villa Cattleya: Undying Love by Belle Feliz (Precious Pages Corporation)
Coron: Iisa Lang Ang Puso Ko by Martha Cecilia (Precious Pages Corporation)
My Sunset by Camilla (Precious Pages Corporation)
Blue Nights by Sonia Francesca (Precious Pages Corporation)
Red by Vanessa (Precious Pages Corporation)
Senorita: Honoria by Rose Tan (Precious Pages Corporation)
Devon Fabriquier by Sonia Francesca (Precious Pages Corporation)
And Then There Was You by Sonia Francesca (Precious Pages Corporation)
Sweet Sacrifice by Sonia Francesca (Precious Pages Corporation)
Kindred Spirits by Camilla (Precious Pages Corporation)
Emily by Camilla (Precious Pages Corporation)
Campus Girl: Dara, the Otaku Girl by Heart Yngrid (Precious Pages Corporation)
Territorio delos Hombres Batch 6: Marcial Ortega by Vanessa (Precious Pages Corporation)
It’s Not That Complicated: Bakit Hindi pa Sasakupin ng mga Alien Ang Daigdig sa 2012 by Eros S. Atalia (Visprint)
Sa Kasunod ng 909 by Edgar Calabia Samar (UST Publishing House)
Comics / Graphic novels
Trese 5: Midnight Tribunal by Budjette Tan and KaJo Baldisimo (Visprint)
Gwapoman 2000: Ang Huling Baraha by Aaron Felizmenio (Frances Luna III Illustration Firm)
Skyworld Volume Two by Mervin Ignacio and Ian Santamaria (National Bookstore)
Pepe (The Lost Years of Rizal # 1) by Ron Mendoza and Arnold Renia Cruz (Precious Pages)
Zsazsa Zaturnnah: Sa Kalakhang Maynila by Carlo Vergara (Visprint)
Pilandokomiks: Ang Tatlong Sumpa by Borg Sinaban (Adarna)
Hands of the Dragon Book 1: Rise of the Zodiac Circle by Jeffrey Marcelino Ong (Black Ink Comics / Precious Pages Corporation)
Vergil: The Warrior Angel by Arman Francisco and Elmer Cantada (Black Ink Comics / Precious Pages Corporation)
The Reaper by Nald Tabuzo and Vovoi Lim (Black Ink Comics / Precious Pages Corporation)
3/12 by Manix Abrera (Flipside Publishing)
Kubori Kikiam: The Best Things In Life by Michael David (Flipside Publishing)
Tabi Po: Book 2 by Mervin Malonzo (Flipside Publishing)
Crime Fighting Call Center Agents # 3 by Noel Pascual and AJ Bernardo (Kowtow Comics)
Tatsulok: A Vision of Dust # 1 by David Hontiveros and Xerx Javier (Self-published)
Skygypsies by John Raymond Bumanglag and Timothy James Dimacali (Summit Books)
Mona: Queen of the Babes by Dark Chapel (Independent)
Callous Comics: On Lighter Dreams by Carlo Jose San Juan (Independent)
Mythspace # 0 by Paolo Chikiamco and Koi Carreon (Rocket Kapre)
The Hotdog Prince by Francis Martelino (Komikult)
Black Ink Short Cuts: Fairy Tales # 1 by Ron Mendoza/Jeffrey Marcelino Ong/Nald Tabuzo (Black Ink Comics / Precious Pages Corporation)
Patintero Book 1 by Kai Castillo (Independent)
Karma: The Second Chapter by Columbia Kho (Oh! No Manga)
Short story anthology
A Bottle of Storm Clouds by Eliza Victoria (Visprint)
Philippine Speculative Fiction Vol. 7 by various authors, edited by Kate Osias (Kestrel DDM and Flipside Publishing)
Shades of Gray Vol. XV by various authors (De La Salle College of St. Benilde)
Under the Stacks by Saul Q Hofileña (DSH Publishing)
Pseudo.Absurdo.Kapritso.ULO (PAK U Journal) by Ronaldo Vivo Jr, Danell Arquero, Erwin Dayrit, Ronnel Vivo, Christian de Jesus (UngazPress)
Pektus: Mga Maikling Kuwento by Mark Erron San Mateo, et. al. (Independent)
Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (Volume 2) by Severino O. Reyes, Christine S. Bellen, Rebecca T. Anonuevo and Felix Mago Miguel (Tahanan Books)
Essay anthology
Subversive Lives: A Family Memoir of the Marcos Years by Susan F. Quimpo & Nathan Gilbert Quimpo (Anvil)
Tibak Rising: Avtivism in the Days of Martial Law edited by Ferdinand C. Llanes (Anvil)
Bakit Di Ka Crush ng Crush Mo by Ramon Bautista (PSICOM)
Lovestruck: Singles Edition by Ronald Molmisa (OMF)
Looking Back 6: Prehistoric Philippines by Ambeth Ocampo (Anvil)
Savor the Word: 10 Years of the DGF Food Writing Awards edited by Michaela Fenix, Maya Besa Roxas and Felice Sta. Maria (Anvil)
Positively Mental by Elvira Mata (Anvil)
It Only Hurts When I Pee by RJ Ledesma (Anvil)
My Filipino Connection:The Philippines in Hollywood by Ruben Nepales (Anvil)
Magnificat Mama Mary’s Pilgrim Sites edited by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard (Anvil)
Looking Back 5: Rizal’s Teeth, Bonifacio’s Bones by Ambeth Ocampo (Anvil)
Exposés: Investigative Reporting for Clean Government by Jarius Bondoc (Anvil)
The Queen Lives Alone: Personal Essays by Ronald Baytan (UP Press)
Poetry
Alimpuyo sa Takipsilim by Roberto T. Anonuevo (Ateneo Press)
Isa Lang Ang Pangalan by Rebecca T. Anonuevo (UST Publishing)
Kung Nanaisin by Romulo Baquiran (UP Press)
Florante at Laura: Edisyong Tapat Kay Balagtas edited by Paolo Ven B. Paculan (Flipside Publishing)
Pictures as Poems and other (Re)visions by Marne L. Kilates (UST Publishing)
Lita: Poems on Women by the Cavite Young Writers Association (Balangay Books)
The Google Song and Other Rhymes for Our Times by Ed Maranan and Shan Jose (Anvil)
MANILA, Philippines—Severe Tropical Storm “Maring” blew out of the Philippines Wednesday morning, a day earlier than expected, leaving 16 people dead, five missing, and more than 1 million in misery.
Although Maring (international name: Trami) never hit land, it intensified the southwest monsoon (habagat), generating torrential rains that pounded Metro Manila, Central and northern Luzon and two other regions to the south of the main island for five days.
How’s that for a five-day storm-tossed house-arrest-like weekend for everybody? Our home in Bulacan has been flooded for a week now, as per usual, and our apartment floor leaked rainwater. Not our ceiling, our floor. I don’t get it either. I hope you are safe and dry and have enough food in your kitchen.
Mga Saranggola sa Tag-ulan (Kites in the Rain) by Eugene Evasco (story), Bernadette Solina-Wolf (LG&M Corporation)
Naaay! Taaay! by Kristine Canon and Vanessa Tamayo (Adarna)
Ang Alamat ng Palay by Virgilio S. Almario and Conrad Raquel (Adarna)
Maia’s Birthday Party by Yvette Fernandez and Nicole Lim (Adarna)
Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon? by Russell Molina and Hubert Fucio (Adarna)
Pag-abot ni Kolor sa Lungsod by Susan dela Rosa Aragaon (Adarna)
Si Ambongan by Lamberto Antonio (Adarna)
Ipinaglihi sa Labanos (White as Radish) by Luis P. Gaitmaitan and Ray Sunga (Anvil)
Ninoy, Cory, and Noynoy by Yvette Fernandez (Dream Big Books)
Tabon Girl by Irene Carolina A. Sarmiento and Manix Abrera (Anvil)
Porcupirate Plans the Day by Robert Magnuson (OMF)
Ako’y Isang Mabuting Pilipino by Noel Cabangon, Becky Bravo and Jomike Tejado (Lampara Books)
Siya Ba Ang Inay Ko? by Segundo D. Matias, Jr. (Lampara Books)
Alamat ng Rosas by Segundo D. Matias, Jr and Ghani Madueno (Lampara Books)
Rizalpabeto by Vim Nadera and Elmer Borlongan (Canvas)
Chick lit
Interim Goddess of Love (Interim Goddess of Love # 1) by Mina V. Esguerra (Bright Girl Books)
That Kind of Guy by Mina V. Esguerra (Summit Books)
From This Day Forward by Marla Miniano (Summit Books)
Wander Girl by Tweet Sering (Flipside Publishing)
Home by Kat Santos (Flipside Publishing)
Novel in English
In My Mother’s House by Joni Cham (Central Books)
Voices in the Theater by A.S. Santos (Flipside Publishing)
Woman in a Frame by Raissa Rivera Falgui (Flipside Publishing)
The Viewless Dark by Eliza Victoria (Flipside Publishing)
Salingkit by Cyan Abad-Jugo (Anvil)
Fish Hair Woman by Merlina Bobis (Anvil)
Novel in Filipino
Love-Child by Bernadette (Chapters & Pages Corporation)
Ang Lihim ng San Esteban by Annette Flores Garcia and Nanoy Rafael (Adarna)
Once A Princess by Angel Bautista (Precious Pages Corporation)
Extra Rice at Ikaw by Yna Paulina (Precious Pages Corporation)
If Only Love by Sofia (Precious Pages Corporation)
Halina Sa Ating Bukas by Macario Pineda (Ateneo Press)
Comics / Graphic novels
Trese 5: Midnight Tribunal by Budjette Tan and KaJo Baldisimo (Visprint)
Gwapoman 2000: Ang Huling Baraha by Aaron Felizmenio (Frances Luna III Illustration Firm)
Skyworld Volume Two by Mervin Ignacio and Ian Santamaria (National Bookstore)
Pepe (The Lost Years of Rizal # 1) by Ron Mendoza and Arnold Renia Cruz (Precious Pages)
Zsazsa Zaturnnah: Sa Kalakhang Maynila by Carlo Vergara (Visprint)
Pilandokomiks: Ang Tatlong Sumpa by Borg Sinaban (Adarna)
Hands of the Dragon Book 1: Rise of the Zodiac Circle by Jeffrey Marcelino Ong (Black Ink Comics / Precious Pages Corporation)
Vergil: The Warrior Angel by Arman Francisco and Elmer Cantada (Black Ink Comics / Precious Pages Corporation)
The Reaper by Nald Tabuzo and Vovoi Lim (Black Ink Comics / Precious Pages Corporation)
3/12 by Manix Abrera (Flipside Publishing)
Kubori Kikiam: The Best Things In Life by Michael David (Flipside Publishing)
Tabi Po: Book 2 by Mervin Malonzo (Flipside Publishing)
Crime Fighting Call Center Agents # 3 by Noel Pascual and AJ Bernardo (Kowtow Comics)
Tatsulok: A Vision of Dust # 1 by David Hontiveros and Xerx Javier (Self-published)
Skygypsies by John Raymond Bumanglag and Timothy James Dimacali (Summit Books)
Mona: Queen of the Babes by Dark Chapel (Independent)
Callous Comics: On Lighter Dreams by Carlo Jose San Juan (Independent)
Mythspace # 0 by Paolo Chikiamco and Koi Carreon (Rocket Kapre)
The Hotdog Prince by Francis Martelino (Komikult)
Black Ink Short Cuts: Fairy Tales # 1 by Ron Mendoza/Jeffrey Marcelino Ong/Nald Tabuzo (Black Ink Comics / Precious Pages Corporation)
Short story anthology
A Bottle of Storm Clouds by Eliza Victoria (Visprint)
Philippine Speculative Fiction Vol. 7 by various authors, edited by Kate Osias (Kestrel DDM and Flipside Publishing)
Shades of Gray Vol. XV by various authors (De La Salle College of St. Benilde)
Under the Stacks by Saul Q Hofileña (DSH Publishing)
Pseudo.Absurdo.Kapritso.ULO (PAK U Journal) by Ronaldo Vivo Jr, Danell Arquero, Erwin Dayrit, Ronnel Vivo, Christian de Jesus (UngazPress)
Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (Volume 2) by Severino O. Reyes, Christine S. Bellen, Rebecca T. Anonuevo and Felix Mago Miguel (Tahanan Books)
Essay anthology
Subversive Lives: A Family Memoir of the Marcos Years by Susan F. Quimpo & Nathan Gilbert Quimpo (Anvil)
Tibak Rising: Avtivism in the Days of Martial Law edited by Ferdinand C. Llanes (Anvil)
Bakit Di Ka Crush ng Crush Mo by Ramon Bautista (PSICOM)
Lovestruck: Singles Edition by Ronald Molmisa (OMF)
Looking Back 6: Prehistoric Philippines by Ambeth Ocampo (Anvil)
Savor the Word: 10 Years of the DGF Food Writing Awards edited by Michaela Fenix, Maya Besa Roxas and Felice Sta. Maria (Anvil)
Positively Mental by Elvira Mata (Anvil)
It Only Hurts When I Pee by RJ Ledesma (Anvil)
My Filipino Connection by Ruben Nepales (Anvil)
Poetry
Alimpuyo sa Takipsilim by Roberto T. Anonuevo (Ateneo Press)
Isa Lang Ang Pangalan by Rebecca T. Anonuevo (UST Publishing)
Kung Nanaisin by Romulo Baquiran (UP Press)
Florante at Laura: Edisyong Tapat Kay Balagtas edited by Paolo Ven B. Paculan (Flipside Publishing)
Also found out that “Siren Song”, from the same collection, is longlisted in The Best Horror of the Year Volume 5. See the list, in two parts, here. Thank you!
From Rappler, “Books populi: Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards”:
MANILA, Philippines – There’s a common notion in the literary community that if you haven’t won a Palanca/Free Press/National Book Award, you’re a nobody.
It’s a fiction that we writers and critics tell ourselves — outside of that small community of winners and entrants, these awards barely register. These awards have little to do with how the greater reading public consumes texts.
Despite award-giving bodies’ attempts to promote reading of the winning works (for example, when the Palanca Foundation uploads copies of winning works online), awareness of these awards and their impact is still confined to a very small literary community.
This is the context in which we find the Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards — one where accolades bear very little weight, and where there is a disconnect between who is reading in this country, and who is deciding what works deserve to win.
According to Honey de Peralta, one of the founders of the awards and an active member of Filipino Book Bloggers, the FRCA was borne out of a lament that award-winning titles were often inaccessible to mainstream readers due to their content and format, and that awards tended to create false distinctions such as “literary” and “genre” in the publishing industry.
The FRCA, then, hopes to act as the pulse of the reading public: what books are people reading, and what are they enjoying the most?
The nomination period is from August 9 to 23, 2013. Remember to nominate only those books published in the Philippines from January to December 2012.
The categories are:
Children’s picture book
Chick lit
Novel in English
Novel in Filipino
Comics / Graphic novels
Short story anthology
Essay anthology
Poetry
My short story collection, A Bottle of Storm Clouds, is qualified for a nomination in the Short Story Anthology category. :) Consider dropping a nomination for it, if you feel that it deserves one.
Eliza Victoria 