ALANDAL, FIREFLIES OF CRIMSON ASHES win awards at the Philippines 40th National Book Awards

The Fortieth Philippines Nationwide E-book Awards occurred final weekend, co-presented by the Philippines Nationwide E-book Growth Board and the Manila Critics Circle. The winners of the English and Filipino graphic novel and comedian guide classes had been Jay Ignacio And Alex NinoIt’s Alandal And HR QuilantangIt’s Pulang Buhangin’s Alitaptap [English edition entitled The Fireflies of Crimson Ashes] (each printed by Komiket, Inc.).

Winners had been declared round Might 1, with the official awards ceremony happening on Might 13, the place winners might settle for their awards and ship their speeches.

Author Jay Ignacio accepted the award on behalf of himself and veteran artist Alex Niño for his or her guide Alandal within the Graphic Novels and Comics class (English) [kindly translated from Filipino by Ignacio]:

“On behalf of Alex Niño and myself, we provide our honest due to NBDB and the Manila Critics Circle for organizing the Nationwide E-book Awards. Thanks additionally to our editor Komiket.

“Alex is in California so cannot be right here, however he is very, very comfortable to obtain this degree of recognition within the Filipino komiks. Within the 70s, he was a part of what grew to become referred to as the Philippine Invasion of American comics, and it was outdoors the Philippines that he triumphed. Alandal marks Alex’s return to Filipino komiks, however he additionally mentioned it was the final comedian he would do. It is an enormous honor for me, a first-time komik writer, to have a celebrity agree to attract my tales.

“One other nice supply of inspiration for Alandal East Silat, the native martial artwork of the Bangsamoro individuals, together with the Tausug. They’re the heroes of this story. This can be a piece of fiction, however I hope ultimately I used to be in a position to honor our brothers and sisters in Mindanao. That is for you.

“Thanks very a lot. Lengthy reside the komik tradition of the Philippines.

2019 photograph of Jay Ignacio (left) and Alex Niño (proper) — credit score Jay Ignacio

RH Quilantang, receiving the Graphic Novels and Comics (Philippine) award for his post-apocalyptic story steeped in Filipino mythology Pulang Buhangin’s Alitaptap [The Fireflies of Crimson Ashes] mentioned [translated by Ignacio]:

“To start with, due to my spouse, you’re my firefly and my shadow. To my brothers and sisters within the arts of writing and drawing, I actually felt the problem of making my first guide. I n I’ve just one message for you, I give you the cry of the Invincible Hearts: Magpadayon! [tr: Carry on!]”

This 12 months noticed the renaming of the Philippines Nationwide E-book Award comics class from “Graphic Literature” – which triggered some consternation among the many native komik crowd – to “Graphic Novels and Comics”, extra acceptable to the worldwide degree. Additionally, it expanded to 2 language classes – Filipino and English – to match the conference of the opposite Nationwide E-book Award classes (which incorporates poetry, novels, literary criticism, and so on.). You possibly can view the total record of finalists right here and books could be ordered immediately from Komiket by this Google form.