BASSIT A PRINSIPE AT THE 42nd NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS

by Faye Q. Flores-Melegrito

“Ti Bassit a Prinsipe” started with a wish.

ORIGIN STORY: Wishing upon a star

It was 28 June 2021 when Tita Ophelia Ramirez forwarded to me a Facebook post of Dean Tony La Viña showing Fr. Wilmer Tria’s Bikolano translation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “Le Petit Prince.” She asked, “Meron na kayang Ilokano translation ng the little prince?”

I then messaged Manong Cles B. Rambaud (and Ariel Sotelo Tabag separately), expressing my wish that there should be one. To which Manong Cles replied that we will do that together.

Manong Cles shared that Manang Linda Lingbaoan gave him a copy of Katherine Woods’ English translation in 1984, when he was 27. I shared that I first read a komiks version gifted to me by my mom when I was around 9 years old, then finally read the book, likely Woods’ as well, when I was 18 (it was an assigned reading for my brother at Ateneo de Manila High School). Manong Cles opted to base our translation on Woods’ version; it was more poetic, he said.

Fast forward to 10 February 2023, Manong Cles messaged me that there is a publisher looking for an Ilokano “The Little Prince” - Ms. Pia Perez of Southern Voices Printing Press, who connected with Manong Cles via Ariel. Our vision of a published Ilokano translation came into fruition.

“Ti Bassit a Prinsipe” was launched on 04 June 2023, at the first ever Philippine Book Fair organized and conducted by the National Book Development Board Philippines at the World Trade Center Manila. Two years after I wished for an Ilokano Little Prince, I said hello to Bassit a Prinsipe. Around 41 years after I read about the Little Prince’s adventure in komiks form, I held in my hands a version in Ilokano, published 80 years after the original French and the first English translation came out.

What adds to the “Ti Bassit a Prinsipe” book’s uniqueness is Bassit’s scarf - an Ilokano abel scarf. My daughter Luce (Art of Luce Melegrito), for whom her dad and I bought a 60th anniversary edition (Richard Howard’s English translation) when she was one (I was thrilled that the edition came out on her birth year), drew a sinangipang (little diamond) abel design on the scarf of Jhemuel Salvador’s Bassit a Prinsipe. An Ilokano touch on an Ilokano Little Prince.

These started a journey as full of adventures as that of Bassit a Prinsipe!

A JOURNEY OF COLLABORATION: Working on a book

Through Bassit a Prinsipe, I had a better appreciation of how books are made. Bookmaking is actually a story of friendship, one of collaboration. From the writer and publisher, to book designer and printer, to agencies and institutions involved in books, to readers and book clubs and book critics, to fellow writers and publishers, to government offices and private entities, to everyone who loves books.

“What is essential is invisible to the eye.” We could not see it; but we could feel it. It is palpable, especially at Centro de Turismo Intramuros during the 42nd National Book Awards recognition program - our love for books.

Let us spread the love for reading among Filipinos, particularly reading of Philippine books.

BASSIT A PRINSIPE: Winning an award

Manong Cles and I thank the National Book Development Board Philippines and Manila Critics Circle (now Filipino Critics Circle) for recognizing “Ti Bassit a Prinsipe” as the Best Translated Book in Ilokano at the 42nd National Book Awards. The winners were chosen from a total of 326 titles submitted across 31 categories consisting of four languages: English, Filipino, Bikolano, and Ilokano.

The book marks the first win for Southern Voices Printing Press at the National Book Awards. Thus, Bassit a Prinsipe is a “manong” (older brother) of other SVPP books that we hope would also be recognized in future NBA iterations.

On the other hand, the book is an “ading” of other Ilokano books that have been recognized in past NBA iterations. May it not be the last until the next cycle for Ilokano-language books, since there are also other categories that Ilokano books can enter in every iteration.

Recognizing books written in the regional languages further inspire us writers in these languages to make noteworthy works.

A NEW DREAM: Wishing upon another star, Working on more books (Ilokano books!)

Last 23 November 2024, I stated another wish - that more Ilokano books - Ilokano literature! - will be recognized, and enjoyed by readers, not only in the Philippines but worldwide!

Among the movers of this endeavor is GUMIL Filipinas (Gunglo dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano iti Filipinas ken Ballasiw-Taaw; Association of Ilokano Writers in the Philippines and Overseas), led by its President Ariel Sotelo Tabag. GUMIL Filipinas and its chapters nationwide and overseas publish Ilokano books regularly. Some of its members also own and manage independent publishing companies, and add to the rich harvest of Ilokano books.

PANAGYAMAN ♥️

A special thank you to our publisher, Ms. Pia. Ken naimpusuan a panagyaman para ti nasangsangayan a rosas ni Manong Cles a ni Manang Josie, ken ti prinsipe ken sorok a da Rolly ken Luce.

Kankanayon, ni Apo Dios ti agngina kadakayo amin! Manen, agyamankami unay!