2023
Grand Prize
Arnold Tristan L. Buenaflor for “Koronang Santan”
Honorable Mentions
Rommel A. Pamaos for “Ang Nawawalang Bunga”
John Romeo Venturero for ”Lilipad-lipad ang Paruparong Dagat”
Eljay C. Deldoc for “Nakikisilong”
Chrystel Therese V. Darbin for “Ang Araw ng mga Ina ni Tala”
Joshene Pearl S. Bersales for “Hindi Ako Mayumi!”
Jake D. Fraga for “Ang Dating Magkakaibigan sa Baryo Bantas“
“Ang mga tao ay parang santan din,” dagdag ng kaniyang nanay. “May pula, may kulay rosas, dilaw, at puti. Iba-iba.”
Nanlaki ang mga mata at ngiti ni Sani. “May iba’t ibang kulay po ang mga santan?”
“Oo, Sani. Pero iba-iba man ang kulay, lahat ay dapat inaalagaan at minamahal. Para maging masigla sila. ‘Di bale, lahat kami rito. Ako, ang tatay, ate, at kuya mo. Maghahanap kami ng ibang kulay ng mga santan para sa bahay. Para sa iyo.”
- Koronang Santan -
The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) announces Arnold Tristan L. Buenaflor’s Koronang Santan as the winner of this year’s PBBY-Salanga Grand Prize.
Buenaflor is an instructor under the Departmento ng Wika, Panitikan, at Sining at the University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio. He is also the founding chairperson of Bahaghari UP Baguio. He was a fellow at the Palihang Rogelio Sicat 15 and Teaching LGBT Literature of UP Likhaan. In 2018, he was given the Ignite Brave Award of Amnesty International Philippines. His works were published both locally and internationally in journals and publishing houses such as 8letters, beestung, RFD Magazine, and Likhaan Magazine. This is Buenaflor’s first PBBY-Salanga Prize.
PBBY has also recognized six Honorable Mention winners: Ang Nawawalang Bunga by Rommel A. Pamaos; Lilipad-lipad ang Paruparong Dagat by John Romeo Venturero; Nakikisilong by Eljay C. Deldoc; Ang Araw ng mga Ina ni Tala by Chrystel Therese V. Darbin; Hindi Ako Mayumi! by Joshene Pearl S. Bersales; and Ang Dating Magkakaibigan sa Baryo Bantas by Jake D. Fraga.
The winners will be awarded at the 40th National Children’s Book Day celebration 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.
