Kids rule at the National Children’s Book Awards

In the middle of the recognition ceremonies for the National Children’s Book Awards late last month, storyteller JK Anicoche took the stage and breathed life to one of the winning tales, "Ngumiti Si Andoy." Written by Michael Jude Tumamac and illustrated by Dominic Agsaway, the story brings us back to the time when Andres Bonifacio was a child, playing with his siblings. In just a few pages, Tumamac was able to show young readers a different side of the bolo-wielding hero, making him friendly and accessible.

"Ngumiti Si Andoy" is but one of the four winners of this award, given annually by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY). Apart from quality of writing, PBBY chairperson Tarie Sabido pointed out that art, layout, and book design also play a big part in the judging process. All winners are unanimous decisions, she added.

The other three winners at this year's National Children’s Book Awards are "What Kids Should Know About Andres and the Katipunan," "Hating Kapatid," and "The Little Girl in a Box."

Budjette Tan, one of the judges, wished that all history books were like "What Kids Should Know About Andres and the Katipunan" as it is not only controversial but also quite intriguing.

Author Weng Cahiles said, “Andres is my favorite hero growing up. I’m just happy to be able to do this.” Illustrator Isa Natividad added, “We fell in love with Andres while working on this book.”

"Hating Kapatid" sprang from writer Raissa Rivera Falgui's desire to teach her kids the concept of sharing. Ants play main characters in this tale of what being a "kapatid" means. said, “Sharing and getting along with siblings can be difficult but it results in family love,” said Falgui. Illustrator Fran Alvarez couldn’t contain her happiness at being recognized for her work on her very first book.

Judge Robert Alejandro was impressed by the simplicity and sophistication of the fourth winner, The Little Girl in a Box. Author Felinda V. Bagas, who works in television, lightened the mood a bit when she proceeded to thank all the sponsors of the event. It was her first book. Illustrator Aldy Aguirre was not only ecstatic but also a bit starstruck, adding that he was so happy that it was Alejandro who presented the award.

Kids vote

For the very first time, children got to vote for their favorites too—for the NCBA Kids’ Choice Award, the older kids chose their top ten favorites, and from among these, the younger kids got to choose one winning work.

"The Day of Darkness," written by Gutch Gutierrez and Felipe Zig Marasigan, snagged this award. The kiddie judges loved the book’s message: that you can adapt to seemingly scary things so that you don’t have to be scared anymore.

The other books that made the kids' top 10 are: "Ang Ikaklit Sa Mga Hardin," "Sandwich to the Moon," "May Darating na Trak Bukas," "Ang Bonggang Bonggang Batang Beki," "Pintong Maraming Silid," "The Little Girl in the Box," "Pages," "Sine Madyika," and "Si Berting ang Batang Uling."

The NCBA kiddie judges were Carelle Ann Abanico, Sophia Aspera, Apriel Beltran, Alonzo John Ibarra Cristobal, Alon Luna Fabros, Jay Harold Odon, Pheonna Heart Ragasa, Amihan Ramos, Rafael Varela, and Miranda Villanueva.

Members of the board of judges include Alejandro, a renowned artist who has designed numerous award-winning books as well as theme parks and environmental graphics for public spaces; Daisy Calado, a reading specialist who teaches children with reading difficulties; Troy Lacsamana, an expert in library science who has developed an integrated library system for the Quezon City Public Library called Openbiblio; Pepper Roxas, a freelance illustrator and graphic designer who received her Masters in Communication Design at Pratt Institute NY on a Fulbright Scholarship; and Tan, creative director, copywriter, and writer behind the award-winning graphic novel, "Trese."

Apart from the awarding ceremonies itself, one of the highlights of the afternoon was the interactive interpretation by the Sipat Lawin Ensemble of Rene Villanueva’s "Unang Baboy sa Langit." The ensemble was so filled with passion and energy that they were able to get an audience comprised mostly of adults, some garbed quite fashionably, to make like they were pigs and go oink, oink! Somewhere up in heaven, Villanueva must be smiling. — BM, GMA News