Grade School Teacher wins 2023 PBBY-Alcala Grand Prize

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) awards the 2023 PBBY-Alcala Grand Prize to Al Romuald D. 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, this 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.

PBBY also recognized two Honorable Mention winners: Arn Vian A. Delos Reyes and Gervin Angelo A. Andres, both Bachelor of Fine Arts majors from the University of the Philippines Baguio and Diliman campuses respectively. Delos Reyes is a member of the UP Artists’ Circle Fraternity, while Andres is a member of Renacimiento Manila, a cultural heritage organization.

The winners will be awarded at the 40th National Children’s Book Day ceremonies on July 18, 2023 at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez in Manila.

For inquiries about the contest, contact the PBBY Secretariat at secretariat@pbby.org.ph.