Missed labels & other awards

Good friend Carla Pacis didn’t exactly walk off in a huff that night we of the Manila Critics Circle gave out the National Book Awards. But she looked disgruntled when she said we’d have to talk soon about a couple of matters that bothered her. Sounded ominous, so I could only stammer okay. Sigue, sometime let’s talk, I sort of iwas-pusoy’d, citing a busy sked to forestall the inevitable.

Carla decided to express her beef in writing, which is just as well, and e-mailed this to a few friends. I’m glad that shortlist still included me. She prefaced it thus:

"I am sorry that the article is quite strong but I felt it had to be said. The children’s book industry cannot continue to be baselessly accused of substandard production in a forum as prestigious as the National Book Awards."

And here’s what she wrote, titled "When Harry (Potter) Meets Bridget (Jones)":

"This year’s National Book Awards has once again been a major disappointment for those of us involved in the creation of children’s and young adult books. This year, the members of the Manila Critics Circle have proven that the desire to encourage, support and uplift writing for children and young adults is not enough if it is not accompanied by a true understanding and appreciation of the unique requirements and structures of one of the largest sectors of the international book industry. Children’s and Young Adult literature is not to be treated dismissively or cavalierly as a kid brother or sister. It requires the same due diligence true judges give to any creative or intellectual work.

"The winner for the Children’s Book category was Sabrina’s Cookbook Diary which was published in 2002 and therefore should have won in 2003. However, according to the critics, they had overlooked this book. (Last year, the Manila Critics Circle did not deem any children’s book published in 2002 worthy of an award. Only two, Carancal by Rene Villanueva and Og Uhog by Christine Bellen, were nominated out of more than 20 books published that year.) They went on to say that of the children’s books published last year, none deserved to even be nominated. To add insult to injury, they said that maybe this was a sign that the industry needed to improve.

"I strongly disagree with that statement. The children’s book industry continues to grow with more and more titles published every year. The quality, design and content of the books have improved over the years, a fact that many parents, teachers and librarians have recognized. More and more children read locally published children’s books and libraries are stocked with books we can all be proud of. 

"I can think of many children’s books published last year that deserved to be nominated for this year’s NBA. There was Russell Molina’s Isang Dosenang Kuya, the Philippine Board of Books for Young Readers (PBBY) grand prize winner. There were Eugene Evasco’s Si Isem sa Bayang Bawal Tumawa, Lara Saguisag’s Tonio’s Wishes, Tahanan Books and Jose Rizal’s Monkey and the Turtle, Rene Villanueva’s Graindell, and Teo’s Trash Can by Grace Chong, all original and imaginative stories, all very well written and richly illustrated. There was also Lampara Publishing’s Aesop Fables, which may not be original stories but have been beautifully illustrated by Jason Moss.

"The winner in the Young Adult category was Almost Married by Tara FT Sering, published by Summit Publishing, the same group that publishes Cosmopolitan magazine. It is the sequel to Getting Better, the first book in a collection that has been categorized as ‘chick lit.’ In fact, Getting Better and all the little books that followed adhere to the Cosmopolitan philosophy. The title alone of this ‘winning’ book already begs one to ask why a teenager would be interested in marriage or being married. The blurb goes: ‘After a traumatic engagement to a man who eventually cheated on her, 28-year-old Karen is, once again… And their year-old relationship rocks… the conversation is satisfying and the sex is great...’

"Is this a book a teacher, a parent, an aunt/uncle, or thinking individual would give a teenager? Obviously, those who chose this book as the winner in the Young Adult category are completely and absolutely ignorant of what the term Young Adult means in literature. The key words in the citation, ‘…It is young yet adult… adolescent yet sophisticated,’ are evidence that they have their definitions of Young Adult all mixed up. They might have been referring to the ‘younger adult,’ people in their 20s and not the 12-to-16-year-olds (give or take a few years) that the local and foreign publishers have identified as young adults or adolescents.

"The term Young Adult was coined by American publishers to distinguish the books written for children from ages 1 to 11 (the board books, picture books, storybooks and chapter books) from those written for teenagers or those from ages 12 to 16. The age parameters vary and can go all the way to 19 years old for the Young Adult category and are only meant as guides for writers and illustrators. I do not in fact agree with the term Young Adult as it can be misunderstood as has happened with the Manila Critics Circle. The other terms for this type of literature were Juvenile Fiction and Adolescent Literature. Both have been dropped for being derogatory. Teenage Fiction may be a more appropriate term but may confine this literature to the high school audience.

"Some examples of great literature for young adults are the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, I Am the Cheese by Robert Cormier, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle and Are You There God? Its Me Margaret by Judy Blume. Locally, we also have fine examples of this type of literature, some of which have been chosen by Reading Coordinators in some private schools as required reading. Some of these titles are Pedro and the Lifeforce by Joel Toledo, The Secret by Lin Acacio-Flores, Senior’s Ball by Rene Villanueva, Anina ng mga Alon by Eugene Evasco (which won the NBA in 2003) and Miguel and Una by Lilledeshan Bose. The protagonists of Young Adult books are approximately the same age as that of their readers and therefore share the same dreams, problems and issues. They are generally concerned with concepts such as coming of age, self-identity, heroes and role models. Sex is discussed in young adult fiction, but with more caution.

"The citation goes on to say: ‘… It (Almost Married) pushes the genre in the right direction with this light but profound novel about marriage, relationships, sex, oh yes, sex, women who are no longer girls, and yes, boys who will always be boys.’ It would have been absolutely hilarious if it were not so horrifying.

"And speaking of horrifying, it seems the Manila Critics Circle, an esteemed group of literary writers, is now promoting ‘chick lit’ as literature, which, and many will agree with me, it is definitely not. There is, however, a place for this sort of work but it should be properly categorized.

"In all fairness to Tara FT Sering, who I think is a great writer, she wrote a wonderfully clever book for young adults called All the Right Moves, published by Adarna House and which was nominated in the Young Adult category last year. It was patterned after the Choose Your Own Adventure books that children and teenagers absolutely love. In this case, it was a ‘choose your own romance’ and its inevitable consequences.

"The National Book Award is clearly looked upon by many writers and authors, including myself, as confirmation of our good work. It encourages and supports the production of quality books in this country that sorely needs to build a population that reads. The number of genres, categories and types of books that have been recognized over the years have increased to include many that may be outside the expertise of the members of the Manila Critics Circle. To consult with experts in specific interests and fields can only be for everybody’s benefit.

"In the field of children’s and young adult literature, I would highly recommend Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, who represents the sector of reviewers in the PBBY and who contributes articles on locally published children’s books to publications like Parenting Magazine, and Dr. Nina Lim Yuson, president of Museo Pambata, founding member of PBBY and contributor to Baby Magazine. That the award is given by a body of distinguished and highly respected writers and critics give it so much more value. They owe it to all of us writers not to waste the goodwill that has been bestowed upon them." 

Well, what can I say, except that Carla M. Pacis has authored several books for children and young adults, her latest book being Enrique El Negro, a historical novel whose main character is Ferdinand Magellan’s slave? And that she teaches creative writing courses at DLSU and UP and is a resident fellow of the UP Institute of Creative Writing? As a founder-member of Kuting or Kwentista ng mga Tsikiting, an organization of writers for children and young adults, she must know whereof she speaks.

For lack of space, I can’t quote my full reply to her, except the following: "Okay lang, Carla, points well taken… We really should spend more time and effort in discussing our category labels. We’ve agreed so far that we may have made a mistake with Young Adult, but cannot accept Chick Lit or Chic Lit, as they’re industry-promo terms. We really should rethink this. Thanks for your critique. A waker-upper is always welcome."

Our esteemed colleague and co-MCC member Dr. Isagani Cruz sufficiently explained our dilemma over the Young Adult category in his column last Thursday in this paper. I don’t wish to wade into that anymore. But Carla should also have her say, which is why this column is nearly entirely given to her plaint.

Not being facetious here, but maybe Mercury in retrograde for much of August, till Sept. 2, has something to do with the lapses in understanding and communication.

Now let me use the rest of this space to announce a couple of other matters.

One: The deadline for the Doreen Fernandez Food Writing Competition, with "Traditional Filipino Cooking" as this year’s theme, has been extended to Nov. 10. Essays must be in English, at about 800 words in length. There is a special category for students. Submit entries to: Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Awards, IWFS Manila Ladies Branch Awards Committee at PRISM, fifth Floor, PDAF Bldg., Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City. Or, address inquiries to Ahyie Torres at 890-9666.

Second: The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is now accepting entries for the 2005 PBBY-Salanga Prize. The contest is co-sponsored by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Library. A cash prize of P25,000, a gold medal and an opportunity to be published await the winner. The story entry may be in Filipino or English, and should be intended for children from 6 to 12 years. Deadline is Oct. 1. For more details, contact the PBBY at Room 102, JGS Bldg., 30 Sct. Tuazon St., Quezon City, telefax 372-3548 or e-mail pbby@adarna.com.ph.

Now that’s no pampalubag-loob; take my word for it.