A BOOK edited by two professors of the Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan bagged an award in the 41st National Book Awards.

“Transfiguring Mindanao: A Mindanao Reader” won the Elfren S Cruz Prize for Best Books in Social Sciences. It is a volume written and edited by authors mostly coming from Mindanao.

The book’s editors were Professors Jowel Canuday and Joselito Sescon.

It documents important studies and accounts that deal with a wide array of topics highlighting Mindanao. The volume was published in 2022 by the Ateneo de Manila University Press.

History, International Studies & Political Science Department faculty members Fr. Amado Tumbali Jr. SJ and Dr. Faina Abaya-Ulindang also contributed to the volume.

Focusing on Christianity in Mindanao, Fr. Amado conducted a historical survey of the religion’s presence in Mindanao covering the Spanish Period, the American Period, and the post-World War II Church.

Meanwhile, Dr. Faina explored stories from second-generation Mindanaoan migrants whose parents were beneficiaries of the government resettlement projects.

The Elfren S Cruz Prize, one of the awards accorded to outstanding books published in the Philippines by the National Book Awards, is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated excellence in publishing local studies and made a significant impact in social sciences.

The National Book Awards, managed by the National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics’ Circle, is an annual prize that recognizes “the most prestigious book titles written, designed, and published in the Philippines.”

For this year, 235 books received nominations across seven languages (Filipino, English, Bikol, Binisaya, Hiligaynon, Tausug, and Waray) and 34 diverse categories.