The first ever Aklat Awards 2016 was an unforgettable experience for me! The laidback gathering of Filipino writers and readers in the cozy Ayala Hillside clubhouse was a refreshing change from other highly crowded publishing events.
Aklat Awards 2016 @ Ayala Hillside Social Hall #AklatAwards2016 12.17.2016
There was an element of suspense because we didn’t know exactly what to expect. But that made it even more exciting. To be honest, I felt nervous while on the way to the Aklat Awards since I was a nominee myself. We had no idea until the actual awarding ceremony who the winners were! However, the sight of the picturesque social hall, with its lush garden and peaceful blue pool, definitely soothed this bookworm’s nerves as my mom and I arrived at the venue.
What is Aklat Awards?
#AklatAwards trophies. Photo courtesy of Lampara Books. #AklatAwards2016 12.17.2016
Since it was the first time that the Aklat Awards was held, Mr. Segundo “Jun” Matias, the force behind Lampara Publishing House, Inc. and Precious Pages Corporation, took the time to explain to us what it is all about:
“Ang Aklat Awards ay binuo para makapagbigay parangal sa mga manunulat na patuloy na nakapagbibigay aliw sa mga mambabasang Filipino. Ang mga librong kalahok sa nasabing award giving body ay mga na-publish ng Precious Pages, Bookware, Life Is Beautiful, RedLine Media, at ng Lampara Publishing. Sakop ng mga kumpanyang ito ang mga imprints na Precious Hearts Romances, My Special Valentine, Desire, Black Ink, Lampara Books, Pastrybug, at marami pang iba… Isa itong mahalaga at ekslusibong pagtitipon ng mga Filipinong manunulat at mambabasa…”
As both a writer and a reader, I can say that the Aklat Awards 2016 was an innovative way to show appreciation for Filipino authors and book lovers.
Mr. Segundo “Jun” Matias enlightens us on the nature of Aklat Awards #AklatAwards2016 12.17.2016
The Program
The bubbly, energetic hosts did a great job of making the program lively and interesting. Did you know that it was the multitalented and multitasking brand managers and staff of Precious Pages, Lampara, Bookware, etc. themselves who did most of the hosting? Pwede!
The #AklatAwards angels. Photo courtesy of BLACK INK. #AklatAwards2016 12.17.2016
There were fun and creative games in between the awarding segments to energize the crowd. I liked the balloon game where you had to catch a balloon and pop it open to check if you won a prize or not. It literally brought the crowd to its feet. To be honest, if I was not a writer trying to be gracious to a crowd of readers and giving them a chance to win prizes, makikipag-agawan talaga ako sa balloons ? Hahaha!
Watching the first ever #AklatAwards. Photo courtesy of Lampara Books. #AklatAwards2016 12.17.2016
As my friends know, I simply love games. So before I get carried away, let’s start talking about the awards itself!
Aklat Awards 2016 Results
Lampara Books: “Most Favorite Illustrator” and “Most Favorite Children’s Book” Winners
I was kept in suspense for most of the afternoon because the “Most Favorite Writer” announcements were saved until the last part of the program. I was nominated for the “Most Favorite Writer” award under the Lampara Books category, while my book Sinemadyika was nominated for the “Most Favorite Children’s Book” award. Even if I had to wait for the results, I got caught up in the excitement of the announcement of the other winners, especially in the Lampara Books division.
The winner of the “Most Favorite Illustrator” award is none other than Ms. Bernadette Solina Wolf, a children’s book illustrator who is based in Mindoro. She was not able to join us during the event, but I was really happy for Ms. Bernadette. I remember how friendly a seasoned artist like her was to a newbie writer like me when we first met during our book launch last MIBF 2013.
“Most Favorite Lampara Illustrator”: Ms. Bernadette Solina-Wolf . Photo courtesy of BLACK INK.
The “Most Favorite Children’s Book” winner is The Little Angel Who Lost Her Wing by Ms. Lian Kyla Dyogi, who wrote the book when she was a seven year old girl. Incredible, right? She is now a pretty and friendly 21 year old fresh graduate. She told us that she didn’t even realize her book was nominated for the award!
“Most Favorite Children’s Book”: The Little Angel Who Lost Her Wing by Ms. Lian Kyla Dyogi. Photo courtesy of Lampara Books.
Was I disappointed that Sinemadyika didn’t win? A little, to be honest. But only for a moment. I was genuinely excited for Lian because I liked her right away when Sir Jun introduced us earlier that day. Sir Jun was enthusiastic as he shared with me how Lian used to sew paper together to make books. I was speechless (and I am rarely speechless) because, as I shared in my website, I used to sew paper together to make books too!
PHR Winners
The memory of Ms. Martha Cecilia, a.k.a. “MC”, the beloved prolific writer of Precious Heart Romances (PHR) novels, was immortalized during the Aklat Awards. She was given a Lifetime Achievement Award, which her loyal readers received on behalf of her family.
“Lifetime Achievement Award”: Ms. Martha Cecilia. Photo courtesy of BLACK INK.
When I saw how much Ms. Martha’s fans still loved her and how much her colleagues respected her, I was reminded of how our written works live on even when we are already gone. Still, I felt a little regret that I was not able to get to know MC personally while she was still alive.
Even if I didn’t get the chance to meet one of the pioneer writers of PHR, I was able to see some of the present PHR novelists. Some of the Aklat Award winners who were present at the awarding include Ms. Luna King, the “Most Prolific PHR Writer of the Year”, and Ms. Sonia Francesca, the “Most Favorite PHR Writer”.
The PHR author who made the most impact on me during the Aklat Awards was Ms. Vanessa, who wrote Diary ng Chubby, the “Most Favorite PHR Singles Novel” winner. I found it really cool how Ms. Vanessa, who is cute and self-admittedly chubby, was very comfortable in her own skin. She totally rocked her outfit, complete with boots! I was not able to meet her during the event because we were all busy, but I hope to chat with her another time.
“Most Favorite PHR Singles Novel”: Diary ng Chubby by Ms. Vanessa. Photo courtesy of PHR.
It wasn’t just the authors who were honored during the event. Several of the readers’ groups were given the “PHR Readers Club Recognition Award”. I think it’s awesome how the readers were shown appreciation in a tangible way during the Aklat Awards. Of course, we writers usually thank our readers verbally. But giving them something solid to express our appreciation is on a different level altogether. After all, who would publishing houses publish for and who would writers write for if we didn’t have any readers?
“PHR Readers Club Recognition Award”. Photo courtesy of BLACK INK.
I wish we can do something similar for Lampara Books readers next year! As far as I know, our kiddie readers don’t have organized groups like some adult readers have, but maybe we can start a club which kids can join. Just a thought 🙂
Lampara Books: “Most Favorite Writer” Winner
As the program drew to a close, the hosts finally started to reveal the results of the “Most Favorite Writer” awards. When they announced the winner of the “Most Favorite Lampara Writer” award, they called out… my name!
“Most Favorite Lampara Writer”: Lauren Macaraeg. Photo courtesy of BLACK INK and Lampara Books.
It felt surreal when I heard them say “Ms. Lauren Macaraeg”. As I stood up and walked to the stage on autopilot, in my mind, I was like “So ako nga? Seryoso ba ‘to?” I honestly did not think I had a good chance of winning. But God certainly loves to surprise us! Since I didn’t prepare a speech, I rattled off my thank you message as best as I could. Given my royal clumsiness though, I’m just happy I didn’t trip while walking up and down the stage ?
Thanks to everyone for your support ❤ Thanks to the Lord, my family, friends, colleagues and readers 🙂 You can read my full thank you message in my other blog post. Click to read: “We Won! Thanks for Voting Me as “Most Favorite Writer” @ #AklatAwards2016 ❤”
Thanks for the encouragement and support, Sir Jun, Ms. Aiko & Lampara Books family 🙂
After the awarding ceremony, the winners, including myself, were requested to give video interviews to Lampara Books. Nakaka-conscious pala haha! But it was an interesting experience. If I had known though that I was going to win, give a speech in front of a crowd and give a video interview too… I would have worn a designer ball gown ? Joke lang!
My super mom and me at the #AklatAwards2016 ❤ 12.17.2016
As the crowd thinned out, I got the chance to chat and catch up with Sir Jun Matias, my fellow authors and illustrators, and our colleagues from Lampara whom we haven’t seen in a while.
Enjoying the company of Mr. Segundo “Jun” Matias, Mr. Carlos Manalansan, Ms. Aiko Clarizza Buduan-Salazar; Lampara authors Ms. Zarah Gagatiga, Mr. Rhandee Garlitos and Ms. Lian Kyla Dyogi; Lampara illustrator Mr. Domz Agsaway and my mom ? #AklatAwards2016 12.17.2016
And what do you think we dignified writers and illustrators did before we went home? Well, we joked around like silly kids in the pool area ? Some people may think that we authors are intimidating, but at the end of the day, we are simply book lovers who also love to write.
Kids at heart ? Lampara Books writers & illustrators!
All in all, it was a memorable and interesting Aklat Awards 2016. I’m definitely looking forward to the next one in 2017. Maybe there will be another balloon game next year? 😉
Congratulations to Sir Jun Matias, Ms. Aiko and all the Aklat Awards organizers for a fun and successful event! Congratulations to all the winners and nominees at the Aklat Awards 2016 ???
#AklatAwards #AA2016 #MostFavoriteWriter #MostFavoriteIllustrator #MostFavoriteChildrensBook #LamparaBooks #BatangLampara #WritersLife #ReadersLife #BookwormBites #Books #LaurenVMacaraeg #LaurenMacScribbles #LaurenMacDoodles
#Event: Aklat Awards 2016, Ayala Hillside Social Hall, 12.17.2016
*Partial list, not comprehensive. Please see the publishing groups’ official Facebook pages for more detailed lists of Aklat Awards 2016 winners.
