Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies聽(CCWLS) resident fellow and Research Center for Culture, Arts, and Humanities聽(RCCAH) academic researcher Asst. Prof. Joselito D. Delos Reyes, PhD bagged the “Best Book of Nonfiction in Filipino” for his book entitled “#Pasahero: mga nakikisakay na sanaysay” in 2022 Gintong Aklat Awards. The plum was announced during the 44th Manila International Book Fair, held from September 14-17, 2023, at SMX Convention Center.
The award-winning book, published by the UST Publishing House in 2021, wheels through an avenue where readers are invited to ponder upon shared experiences embodied in his essays. “Paglalahad lang naman ng pakikisakay, paglalakbay, at pagiging pasahero ang naisulat ko doon sa aklat. Pero dahil pasahero tayong lahat, one way or another, baka may shared experiences tayo na pwede pag-isipan, pagnilayan, at kung may matutuhan, kahit hindi sadya, makakabuti,” Delos Reyes said.
‘Maging mabuti, maging makatao’
For the Creative Writing program coordinator of the Department of Literature, while awards serve as validation and testament of the writer’s zeal, he underscored that the writers should make the readers reflect and ruminate. “Sa mga nagsisikap makapagsulat, may award man o wala, maging popular man o hindi, pagsikapan sanang sumulat o mag-articulate ng ideya na makapagpapabuti sa kalagayan ng tao at lipunan, to make people a tad more intelligent, discerning, and reflective sa mga nangyayari sa kanilang paligid, at makatulong sa ikabubuti ng lipunan,” he said.
“Maging magaling na manunulat, yes. Pero higit sa pagiging magaling, maging mabuti. Maging makatao. May validation man ng awards o kadalasan, wala., he added.
Bestowed every two years since 1981, Gintong Aklat Awards honors outstanding book publishers based on the quality of books they produce yearly; it is managed by the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), whose awards are meant to recognize excellence in bookmaking in the country today among its members.
