About Us

The Manila Critics Circle was founded in 1981.

The Manila Critics Circle, Inc., is a non-profit, non-stock organization of professional literary critics and newspaper columnists who believe that Philippine books deserve much more attention than they usually get from business, media, and the general public.

Aside from giving the annual National Book Awards, the Circle has held an ASEAN-wide literary contest (in cooperation with Filipinas Foundation), participated in the nomination process for National Artist awards, joined National Book Week exhibits, prepared various position papers on literary publishing, and sat in the National Book Development Board.

Members have done reviews for national and international periodicals, such as ASEAN Theater Journal, Asiaweek, BizNews Asia, Diyaryo Filipino, Filipinas, Filipino Magazin (Filmag), Independent, Journal of Asian Studies, Kinaadman, Manila Chronicle, Manila Times, Metro Magazine, National Book Review, Philippine Daily Globe, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Graphic, Philippine Journal of Education, Philippine Panorama, Philippine Star, Philippine Studies, Sun.Star Weekend, Unitas, and World Literature Today, and for television shows such as Mabuhay: This is Your Wake-Up Call.

The Circle is a recipient of the 2004 Award of Recognition from the National Book Development Board.