2023

Grand Prize
Al Romuald D. Estrella

Honorable Mention
Arn Vian A. Delos Reyes
Gervin Angelo A. Andres

Based on the story
Koronang Santan
by Arnold Tristan L. Buenaflor

PBBY-Alcala Prize: Al Estrella

Awarded at the 40th National Children’s Book Day celebration on July 18, 2023.

The 2023 PBBY-Alcala Prize was awarded to Al Estrella, a grade school teacher at the De La Salle University Integrated School and an award-winning illustrator. Estrella’s illustrations are based on Arnold Tristan Buenaflor’s Koronang Santan, the year’s PBBY-Salanga Grand Prize winner.

Estrella has illustrated over fifteen books, including Supremo, which was awarded Best Reads of 2014–2015 at the 4th National Children’s Book Awards. His works were featured in The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Brown University School of Health, and Nylon Magazine. As a clay artist, he has collaborated with Play-Doh, Nara, and Dong-A. Estrella also received the Bronze award in the Japan Illustrators' Association Award in 2022.