A book edited by Postdoctoral Research Associate Cheeno Marlo Sayuno and Eugene Evasco has received a National Book Award from the Republic of the Philippines. The award, sponsored by the National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics Circle, is an annual prize that honors the most outstanding titles written, designed, and published in the Philippines. Their book, Bata, Hiwaga, Bansa: Pamana ni Rene O. Villanueva sa Panitikang Pambata (Child, Wonder, Nation: Legacy of Rene O. Villanueva to Children’s Literature), was named Best Anthology in Filipino.
Bata, Hiwaga, Bansa features critical analysis and discussions from children’s literature scholars of Rene O. Villanueva, who is recognized as an early visionary in Filipino children's literature. Villanueva worked in television, theater, and the publication industry as a creator of contents for children, such as Batibot, a Filipino adaptation of Sesame Street.
"We decided to work on an anthology of works surrounding his legacy because little has been written about him in the context of academic writing," said Sayuno. "As a child, I read his early works, and writing about them now feels like a full circle for me. I hope that our book about Rene O. Villanueva is a way to honor his legacy and inspire the many creators for children in the Philippines: authors, illustrators, educators, publishers, media practitioners, and many others."
Sayuno is currently on leave from his position as associate professor of communication, research, and children's literature at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He has published several picture books in the Philippines, which have received honors such as the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature, National Book Award, and Normal Award for Gender-Inclusive Literature by Philippine Normal University. Sayuno holds a PhD in communication from the University of the Philippines Diliman.