Manila, 14 Sept 2016 – The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) today received 2 Gintong Aklat (Golden Book) awards, one of the Philippines’ most prestigious book prizes, for Agam: Filipino Narratives on Uncertainty and Climate Change. The book won in the catergories of English Literature, and Design, where it was the lone finalist.
“Agam is a brilliantly produced book that is extremely relevant for our times,” declared Teresa Maria Custodio, Chair of the Board of Judges for 2016 Gintong Aklat Awards.
Agam is acclaimed internationally for original narratives by 24 Filipino writers on climate impacts in the Philippines, all written without the crutch of scientific and NGO jargon.
“This recognition from the literary world has strengthened the voice of Filipino climate survivors at the time when people around the world are demanding for aggressive climate action,” said Red Constantino, Executive Director of ICSC.
Agam is an early Filipino word for foreboding and memory. The book broke new ground with its collection of 24 narratives in the languages of Tagalog, Waray, Maguindanao, Bikol, Ilocano, Cebuano, Sinama and English. It also features 26 portraits taken by the photographer Jose Enrique Soriano.
The Gintong Aklat (Golden Book) Awards is organized by the Book Development Association of the Philippines and is held every 2 years. Agam is among 390 nominees this year.
Agam also won the 2015 National Book Award for Anthology in English by the National Book Development Board and was a finalist for Design last year.
Agam: Filipino Narratives on Uncertainty and Climate Change is the first commercial publication of ICSC and is available at branches of Powerbooks and National Bookstore throughout the country.
All proceeds from the sale of Agam goes to the RE-Charge project, an integrated solar and sustainable transport services and training facility in Tacloban City, one of the areas severely devastated areas by typhoon Haiyan in 2013.