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Literary giants grace the 2017 Nick Joaquin Literary Awards
September 13, once again, became a red-letter day for the best and the brightest in the Philippine literary community.
Two National Artists, three heads of publishing houses, several national book awardees, and still more Palanca Hall of Famers led the lineup of guests at the 2017 Nick Joaquin Literary Awards (NJLA): The Nick Joaquin Centennial of the Philippines Graphic, held at 7 p.m. at the BHotel on 14 Scout Rallos, Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City.
Among the stellar writers who illuminated the affair were: National Artists for Literature F. Sionil Jose and Bienvenido Lumbera; Dean of the UP College of Mass Communications and head of the UP Press Rolando Tolentino, Ailil Alvarez of UST Press, and Karina Bolasco of Anvil Publishing; National Book awardees Ferdinand Pisigan Jarin, Marne Kilates, Nikki Alfar, Rolando Tolentino, Mario Miclat, and Alma Miclat; Ed Maranan, Gilda Cordero-Fernando, Dean Francis Alfar, Alvin Dacanay, Elmer Grampon, Marra Lanot, Kate Osias, Sage Alfar, Dada Fres, Ramon Sunico, Mac Mcarthy, Jimmy Abad, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, and Celina Cristobal; and former Graphic staffwriters Dana Batnag, Marian Carandang, Carlos Conde, Emmie Velarde, and Juan P. Dayang, first publisher of the Philippines Graphic under Nick Joaquin; Emmie Velarde
Guests also included Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, and Ferdie Jinco, veteran set designer of ‘Oro, Plata, Mata’ fame and one of the proteges of Salvador Bernal, the National Artist for Theater Design. Mr. Jinco set-designed the 2017 NJLA: the Nick Joaquin Centennial.
Conducted in two parts and hosted by Claude Despabiladeras, the first part of the show was a toasting ceremony led by Philippines Graphic publisher T. Anthony C. Cabangon, Philippines Graphic president Benjamin Ramos, and Aliw Media Group chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon.
It was followed by a cultural tribute to the life and times of the late National Artist Nick Joaquin as editor-in-chief of the Philippines Graphic from 1990 until his death in 2004.
A 1996 Ramon Magsaysay awardee, Joaquin was the Graphic’s first editor-in-chief after it was relaunched in 1990 through its third owner — the late media mogul-businessman and philanthropist Antonio L. Cabangon Chua and his family.
Produced by Actualizer Worldwide Group, the cultural tribute had international singer Madonna Decena and the La Voce Chorale singing Joaquin’s favorite songs: “People,” “Cabaret,” “Thanks for the Memories,” “Chicago, Chicago,” plus a witty Nick Joaquin-rephrased refrain of “You’re the Top.”
“Time with Nick,” saw fellow writers, former Graphic staff, and long-time friends of Joaquin share their memories of the late National Artist. These included: former Philippines Graphic, International Herald Tribune and New York Times writer and now Human Rights Watch researcher Carlos Conde; Charo Joaquin-Villegas, niece of the late Nick Joaquin; and poet, essayist, and former Mirror Weekly and Philippines Graphic literary editor Marra Lanot.
Recognizing the pivotal role of the National Artist for Literature in promoting Philippine values and culture through the written word, a Guardian of the National Memory Award was presented to the four living National Artists for Literature, namely, F. Sionil Jose, Virgilio Almario, Bienvenido Lumbera, and Cirilo Bautista.
The award was presented by Philippines Graphic President Benjamin Ramos and D. Edgard A. Cabangon, chairman of the Aliw Media Group — the mother company of Philippines Graphic, BusinessMirror, Cook, Pilipino Mirror, DWIZ, and CNN Philippines.
A Patron of Literature Award was also presented to Pru Life UK, a leading insurance company in the Philippines. Pru Life UK and the Philippines Graphic have been partners in supporting Philippine literature through the Graphic’s literary section and the NJLA.
With support from Graphic Editor-in-Chief Joel Pablo Salud and Graphic Literary Editor Alma Anonas-Carpio, the selection of the 2017 NJLA winners were determined by a panel of judges composed of noted writers Alfred ‘Krip’ Yuson, Susan S. Lara, and Angelo ‘Sarge’ Lacuesta.
Plaques and cash prizes were presented to — Christian Ray Buendia, first prize winner (P50,000) for “Mathilde’s Absence”; Scott Lee Chua, second prize winner (P30,000) for “Margarita”; and Wayne Benitez Castillo, third prize winner (P20,000) for “Certainly a Train Love Story.”
Anne Carly Abad won the “Poet of the Year” award.
Honorable mention awards for short fiction were given to Albert Casuga for the story, "Sons and Fathers," Alex Lecing for the story, "Self-possessed," and Danton Remoto for the story "The Ruins."
The 2017 NJLA was made possible with the support of Pru Life UK, BHotel Quezon City, San Miguel Corporation, SM, Philippine Retirement Authority, Acer, AXN Network Philippines, Inc., Icon Hotel, Eurotel, Kitsho Japanese Restaurant of HotelJen, Land Bank of the Philippines, Aggings, Quaker Oats, Richmonde, Strategic Edge, Team Energy, The Medical City, Apag Marangle, Swabergers, Diamond Hotel, and Roma.
