Gintong Aklat Awards Best Publishers of 2022-2023, (L-R) Julian dela Cerna (Editorial and Production Head of Ateneo University Press), Kristine Mandigma (Vibal Foundation Inc. Executive Director), Xandra Ramos-Padilla (Anvil Publishing President), Ronald Verzo and Beverly Wico Siy (founders of Isang Balangay Media Productions). Basilio Sepe

MANILA -- The most distinguished publishers in the Philippines were recognized at the 21st Gintong Aklat Awards, held on September 11, 2024, during the opening day of the Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center.

Established in 1981 by the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), the Gintong Aklat Awards (GAA) recognizes the highest standards in Philippine publishing.

The awards spotlight the achievements of publishers who consistently deliver outstanding work in bookmaking, a key facet of the country's literary landscape. Each year, the awards reflect the breadth and depth of Philippine publishing across numerous categories.

This year's awards recognized the best publications out of the 345 entries from 29 publishers for the years 2022 and 2023, a big harvest coming on the heels of the pandemic years.

BDAP President Andrea Pasion-Flores stressed the importance of the awards as the industry continues to "strive to be relevant in what feels like an ever diminishing market for books." She also mentioned the challenges in the industry in embracing technology and making books accessible and available in every format possible.

This year's seventeen winners out of the 34 finalists were selected based on the overall quality of production, content, and design, underscoring BDAP’s mission to encourage the creation of high-quality books.

Gintong Aklat Awards Best in Book Design of 2022-2023, (L-R) Asa Montenejo (Adarna House President), Eli Camacho (Product Development Manager), Kat Matias (Product Development Officer), Julian dela Cerna (Editorial and Production Head of Ateneo University Press), John Emyl Eugenio (2024 GAA Committee Head and Member of BDAP Board of Trustees). Basilio Sepe

Gintong Aklat Award 2024 Winners:

Poetry (English)

Milflores Publishing, Inc. and De La Salle University Publishing House, "It Is Time To Come Home: New & Collected Poems" by Marjorie Evasco 

Fiction (English)

Ateneo de Manila University Press, "The Collected Stories of Gregorio C. Brillantes" by Gregorio C. Brillantes

Creative Nonfiction (English)

Ateneo de Manila University Press, "Everything is Fiction: Essays" by Vicente Garcia Groyon

Poetry (Filipino)

University of the Philippines Press, "Lata ng Salaginto: Mga Tulang Pambata (The Philippine Writers Series 2022)" by Eugene Y. Evasco

Plays/Screenplays (Filipino and English)

Isang Balangay Media Productions, "Pilipinas Kong Mahal With All The Overcoat At Iba Pang Mga Dula" by Eljay Castro Deldoc

Fiction (Filipino)

Isang Balangay Media Productions, "El Arbol de la Alegria" by RM Topacio-Aplaon

Creative Nonfiction (Filipino)

Isang Balangay Media Productions, "Pasasaan" by Jesus Aman Calvario

Arts and Humanities

Ateneo de Manila University Press, "Kalandrakas: Stories and Storytellers of/on Regions in Mindanao, 1890 - 1990: A Preliminary and Continuing Survey and Literary Mapping (Part I:1890 - 1945)" and "Kalandrakas: Stories and Storytellers of/on Regions in Mindanao, 1890 - 1990: A Preliminary and Continuing Survey and Literary Mapping (Part II:1946 - 1990)" as edited by Ricardo M. de Ungria

Food

Anvil Publishing Inc., "Filipino Vegan" by RG Enriquez-Diez

Inspiration

CANVAS - Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development, "How to Raise Your Child" by Gigo Alampay

Self-help

De La Salle University Publishing House, "The Way Out Is In: Living and Loving, Pandemics and Beyond" by Ma. Lourdes Arellano Carandang

Science and Technology and Natural and Applied Sciences

University of the Philippines Press, "Rediscovering Laguna De Bay: A Vital Natural Resource In Crisis" as edited by Josefino C. Comiso, Maria Victoria O. Espaldon, Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava

General References

CANVAS - Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development, "Hanapin ang Sagot: Ano ang Batas Militar?" by Aldy Aguirre, Margarita Santos, and Ergoe Tinio

Social Sciences

Ateneo de Manila University Press, "Transfiguring Mindanao: A Mindanao Reader" by Jowel Canuday and Joselito Sescon

Graphic Literature

Adarna House, Inc., "Meläg II: Balikbayan" by Bong Redila

Best in Book Design

-- Adarna House, Inc. for "Libing Isa"

-- Adarna House, Inc. for "Meläg II: Balikbayan"

-- Ateneo de Manila University Press for "Transfiguring Mindanao: A Mindanao Reader"

-- Ateneo de Manila University Press for "Abaca Frontier: The Socioeconomic and Cultural Transformation of Davao, 1898-1941"

-- Ateneo de Manila University Press for "Kaiju: Poems"

Best Publisher of the Years 2022-2023

-- Best Publisher in the Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences: Ateneo de Manila University Press

-- Best Academic and Scholarly Publisher: Vibal Foundation, Inc.

-- Best Literary Publisher: Ateneo de Manila University Press

-- Best Independent Publisher: Isang Balangay Media Productions

-- Best General Interest Publisher: Anvil Publishing Inc.