Shortlisted novels for the First Premyo Valledor announced

In celebration of the National Literature Month, the Ateneo de Naga University Press and the National Book Development Board have recently announced the shortlisted novels for the first Premyo Victorio C. Valledor for Bikol Novel.

Launched last year in the Ateneo de Naga University, the writing competition is named after art patron and business leader, Victorio Cabangon Valledor, a native of the province of Catanduanes. Mr. Valledor who heads the Lockton Insurance Company in the Philippines is also one of the generous donors of the annual National Book Awards.

For this novel writing contest, a cash prize of P 50, 000 will be given to tje winners that would come from any of the four shorlisted entries which include the works of Marvin Davila Aquino for his ALUNSINA KAN DAGAT, Arthur Justine P. Alemania/Roxanne E. Berido for theie AN HURING PANUGA, Niles Jordan Breis for KALATRABAN SA ALKAWARAN and Jerome Hipolito DYURNAL INTRIS. The winner(s) will also receive a publishing grant from the Ateneo de Naga University Press and a special art piece entitled “Usbong” sculpted by Daet-based artist Paolo Gerero.

The awarding ceremony is scheduled this Saturday, April 27, 2019, at 2PM at the Fr. James OBrien SJ Library, Ateneo de Naga University, Naga City. Expected to attend in the ceremony are Fr Robert Rivera, Ateneo de Naga University President, Fr. Wilmer Tria, University Press Director, Mr. Vic Valledor, and Neni Sta Romana Cruz who chairs the National Book Development Board. For this year, the members of the board of jury are award-winning authors Marne Kilates, Frank Peñones Jr and film critic Tito Genova Valiente, who served as the chairman.