Awarding ceremony was held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City as part of the Manila International Book Fair this year.
The Art Studies category was given to Rice in the Seven Arts "for paying tribute to the national staple and its role in the national psyche, these studies of rice as artful manifestations warm the stomach and address the different levels of hunger more than any rolling store could."
The event was organized by the Manila Critics Circle in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the National Book Development Board.
The members of the Manila Critics Circle are National Artist Virgilio S. Almario (Bulawan and University of the Philippines), Juaniyo Arcellana (Philippine STAR), Isagani Cruz (Philippine STAR and Far Eastern University), Danton Remoto (Philippine STAR and ADMU), Miguel Bernad, S.J. (Philippine STAR and Xavier University, Cirilo Bautista (Manila Bulletin and De La Salle University or DLSU), Soledad Reyes (Philippine Studies and ADMU), Resil Mojares (Philippine Graphic and University of San Carlos), Ruel de Vera (Philippine Daily Inquirer and ADMU), and Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta (Philippine Daily Inquirer and University of Santo Tomas). – RAF