THOMASIAN writers were among those recognized by literary critics in the 35th National Book Awards last Nov. 26 at the National Museum of the Philippines.
Merlinda Bobis, an Australia-based writer who took up her master’s degree in literature at the University, won Best Novel in English for her book “Locust Girl: A Lovesong,” published by Anvil Publishing in Manila and Spinifex Press in Melbourne.
Her novel is a magical fable that follows the life of a nine-year-old girl in a world devastated by climate change.
Philosophy alumnus Michael Coroza was given the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino Prize for Best Book in Language Studies, for serving as the editor of the “Ambagan 2013: Mga Salita Mula sa Iba’t Ibang Wika sa Filipinas” published by the University of the Philippines (UP) Press.
Coroza said literary awards were important because they help encourage more people to write.
“Ang mga ganitong parangal ay nakakapagtulak ng kahit sino na tumanaw o gumawa dahil may inaasahang pagsasapitan ‘yung kanilang ginawa balang araw,” he said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
“Higit sa lahat, kapag nagwagi ang sinuman sa [National Book Award], ang kaniyang aklat ay siguradong maipapamahagi at maieendorso na basahin,” Coroza added.
Joselito de los Reyes of the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies bagged Best Essay in Filipino for “Titser Pangkalawakan at Iba Pang Angas sa Social Network Underworld,” a collection of Facebook status updates about his personal experiences and political insights.
De los Reyes said the book awards have become innovative by acknowledging literary work from online platforms.
“Dati graphic literature lang … ngayon ay mayroon nang mga puwang. Halimbawa na lamang, alam naman natin na nanalo ‘yung social media collection ko. Maganda ito dahil binibigyang halaga ang social media bilang platform o avenue sa paglalathala,” he said.
UST High School alumnus Ericson Acosta’s “Mula Tarima Hanggang at iba pang mga Tula at Awit,” published by the UP Press, won Best Book of Poetry in Filipino.
The event was organized by the Manila Critics’ Circle and National Book Development Board.
