Written by Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo
Twenty-two alumni of the University of the Philippines (UP) won in all three categories of the recently announced 7th National Children’s Book Awards.
The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) honors are given by the National Book Development Board every other year. According to the PBBY, the awards recognize “the best books published for children and young adults in the previous two years” and “encourage parents and caregivers to spend more time reading with their children while recommending the best-published works.” The 7th National Children’s Book Award winners were announced on July 19.
In the Best Reads Category, 2020-2021, the following eleven UP alumni were awarded:
- Beth Parrocha (Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1984), illustrator of Bulul and Ako ay may Kiki;
- Gigo Alampay (BS Economics, 1985 and Bachelor of Laws, 1991), author of Safe Space: A Kid’s Guide to Data Privacy and Youthink: Fight Fake News;
- Liza Flores (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication, 1996), illustrator of Safe Space: A Kid’s Guide to Data Privacy and Youthink: Fight Fake News;
- Abi Goy (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication, cum laude, 1996), illustrator of Safe Space: A Kid’s Guide to Data Privacy and Youthink: Fight Fake News;
- Mon Sy (BA Comparative Literature, summa cum laude, 2016), author of Kakatok-katok sa Bahay ni Benok;
- Gabriela Dans Lee (BA English Studies, cum laude, 2005), author of Cely’s Crocodile: The Art and Story of Araceli Limcaco Dans;
- Adrian Panadero (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication, magna cum laude, 2014), illustrator of Cely’s Crocodile: The Art and Story of Araceli Limcaco Dans;
- Philip Ignacio (BA Development Studies, 1995), author of Alandal;
- Maloi Malibiran-Salumbides (BA Communication, Broadcast Communication, 1993), author of Tinola ni Nanay; and,
- Felix Mago Miguel (Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1992), illustrator of Tinola ni Nanay.
Ten UP alumni won honors in the Kids’ Choice Awards: Chapter Books Category. They were:
- Denise Nicole P. Tolentino (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication, 2003), author and illustrator of The Quick and Careful Adventures of Muni;
- Alyssa M. Peleo-Alampay, Ph.D. (BS Geology, 1985 and MS Geology, 1990), author of I am the Change in Climate Change;
- Jacqueline Franquelli (BA Broadcast Communication, 1999), author of Anak ng Tinapay;
- Daniel Tingcungco (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication, cum laude, 2009), illustrator of Anak ng Tinapay;
- Danielle Florendo (Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2018), illustrator of Maselan ang Tanong ng Batang si Usman;
- Bambi Eloriaga-Amago (BA Journalism, cum laude, 1997), author of Doobiedoo Asks;
- Cat S. (Certificate of Fine Arts in Visual Communication, 2001), creator of Little Wolf;
- Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo (Ph.D. Comparative Literature, 1993), author of Catch a Falling Star (Filipino Edition);
- Chuckberry J. Pascual (BA Malikhaing Pagsulat sa Filipino, cum laude, 2003; MA Philippine Studies, 2008; and PhD Filipino, 2015), translator of Catch a Falling Star (Filipino Edition); and,
- Ana Digi (BA Comparative Literature, cum laude, 2000), author of Sinta.
Finally, the two UP alumni who were recognized in the Kids’ Choice Awards: Picture Books Category were:
- Meanne Mabesa Mijares (BS Education, English, 1994), author of Cassy’s Chair; and,
- Jacqueline Tiu (BA English, 1993), author of Nang Matutong Magbasa si Mariano.
With reports from the Office of Alumni Relations, UP System.
Source: https://up.edu.ph/23-up-alumni-win-national-childrens-book-awards/