The 1st Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards

The Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards seeks to engage the Filipino reading public in honoring their favorite Philippine-published titles. An initiative of the Filipino Book Bloggers Group, the Filipino RCA was established to develop awareness and appreciation of Philippine literature; recognize the reader’s role in creating the meaning and experience of a literary work; and give the readers a voice in the Philippine book industry.

Writers are praised by critics, handed awards by institutions. Wouldn't it be nice if readers like us have a say, too? Welcome the Filipino RCA. Titles published in the Philippines from January 2010 to December 2011 -- yup, a two-year period -- are eligible for nomination. I meant to post this earlier since nominations began last July 9 but don't worry, you can still weigh in until Sunday, July 22. (Click here for the nomination form).

This year, the awards will have eight categories:
• Children’s picture book
• Chick lit
• Novel in English
• Novel in Filipino
• Comics / Graphic novels
• Short story anthology
• Essay anthology
• Poetry

Winners will be announced during The 2nd Filipino ReaderCon on August 18 at the Filipinas Heritage Library. The ReaderCon site also does updates on what's been nominated so if you have any favorite Filipino books that haven't been mentioned yet, now's the time to nominate them!