I had fun at the National Book Awards–and not just because my novel, Dwellers, received an award, or that my publisher, Visprint Inc., won Publisher of the Year, or that the awarding was held in the beautiful Old Senate Hall, but because I was able to spend time with my favorite people. And also, there was food.
On the way to the venue.
There were seating arrangements! I was on the front row. I told J to sit next to me, but he squirmed and felt awkward and eventually moved to the back.
The last time a corsage was pinned on me was in college. :) X number of years ago.
The ceremony opened with the Singkil, performed by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group and National Book Award-winning author Kanami Namiki (Ramon Obusan, Philippine Folkdance and Me, Anvil Publishing).
Photos below from the NBDB Facebook page.
Here’s the citation from the National Book Awards: “Speculative fiction works best when the transition from the real world of the reader into the fictive universe of the author is seamless. Under the masterful hand of Eliza Victoria, we are drawn into a mystery, as two people find themselves forced to deal with circumstances beyond their uncanny abilities. Deftly written with elements of horror and suspense, Dwellers is a more than worthy addition to the growing Philippine literature of the fantastic.”
Photos from Dean Alfar:
The trophies were made by Lawin Abueva, son of National Artist Napoleon Abueva.
We climbed onstage with Ms. Nida Ramirez to receive the Publisher of the Year award. Cheers!
Publisher of the Year Award
CITATION: Hindi matatawaran ang galing ng Visprint, Inc., sa pagpili ng mga aklat na makakaaliw sa mambabasa habang itinataas ang antas ng pag-unawa nito sa mga pangyayari sa ating bansa. Hindi lamang pagpili, kundi paghubog ng mga manunulat, pagpapalawak ng merkado, at pagsakay sa takbo ng sensibilidad ng taumbayan. Marami at malalim at mapangahas ang mga inilathala ng Visprint sa nakaraang taon.
And here’s Ms. Nida’s speech:
Labing apat na taon na po ang nakalipas nang unang tumuntong ang Visprint sa larangan ng book publishing.
Dahil naglakas loob na magtiwala si Bob Ong sa kabila ng zero experience namin–kakayahan sa pagiimprenta lamang po ang aming pinanghahawakan–at sa pangakong personal siyang magbabahay-bahay upang ilako ang kanyang libro, sakaling tanggihan ng major bookstores, sinuong namin ang masalimuot na mundong ito. Bob Ong, kahit hindi mo itinuloy ang pagbabahay-bahay, ni ayaw mo ngang magpakita. Pero dahil sa ‘yo ay nabuksan ang napakalaking pinto para sa maraming manunulat, para sa iyo ang award na ito.
Sa mga bossing namin na pikit mata at bukas bulsang nagtiwala sa mga proyektong pinasok namin, Sir Nido at Sir Efren, para sa inyo ang award na ito.
Sa mga manunulat, lalo na sa UVAS (ang United Visprint All Stars), sa patuloy na pagtitiwala sa Visprint ng inyong mga obra, at sa pakikiisa sa ating mga misyon–You make Visprint look soo darn good! Para sa inyo ang award na ito.
Sa mambabasang Pilipino, maraming maraming salamat po. DAHIL SA INYO ang award na ito.
Sa NBDB [National Book Development Board] at MCC [Manila Critics’ Circle], sa pagpapatamis ng aming paghihirap, maraming salamat po.
With Manix Abrera (14, Kikomachine Komix), Tepai Pascual (Maktan 1521) and Kyra Ballesteros hiding behind a clutch.
Messing with the photo wall. Photo from National Book Award nominee, Karl de Mesa (Radiant Void).
The National Book Award trophy as a very heavy clutch.
The National Museum at night.
Thank you once again to the NBDB, MCC, Visprint–and my books’ readers, as always.
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Eliza Victoria 