THE NATIONAL Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Filipino Critics Circle have announced finalists for the 43rd National Book Awards, which honors outstanding books written, designed, and published in the Philippines.

This year, 139 titles were selected from 385 submissions—an 80-percent increase from four cycles earlier—signaling growth in the local book publishing industry. Finalists span 30 categories in English, Filipino, Hiligaynon, and Kinaray-a.

“The finalists and their literary creations show that Filipino writers and publishers continue to raise the bar for the Philippine book publishing industry,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.

The awards ceremony will be held in early 2026.