Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU Press secures NBDB grant for book translation

By Bea Angelina Duldulao

The MMSU Press secured a grant under the Translation Subsidy Program of the National Book Development Board (NBDB), as announced on the agency’s official Facebook page on October 20. The award allows the English-speaking audience to step into the world of Ilokano storytelling.

Selected as one of 34 exceptional titles nationwide, “Naggasatkan, Quiter” (You are so lucky, Quiter!), a contemporary Ilokano short story collection will undergo a complete English translation by editors of the university’s official publishing arm. The MMSU Press is the lone university press awarded the grant.
 

The masterpiece was written by Mr. Joel Manuel, a multi-awarded Ilokano writer, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Writers’ Prize winner, and a proud alumnus and PhD in Linguistics student at MMSU. Aside from being a literary genius, Mr. Manuel serves basic education as the principal of Bangui National High School.
 

Before reaching book form, the stories in “Naggasatkan, Quiter” first captured readers' hearts when serialized in Bannawag, the Ilokano weekly magazine.
 

The narrative centers around the humorous, poignant, and relatable experiences of Dr. Quiteria A. Calangacang, an Education Program Supervisor in Araling Panlipunan at the Department of Education (DepEd), Division of Ilocos Norte. While Mr. Manuel himself works under DepEd, he clarifies with a lighthearted touch that Dr. Quiteria is a purely fictional character, a vibrant product of his imagination, and any resemblance to real-life agency colleagues or events is entirely coincidental.

The author expressed gratitude to the university. "I thank MMSU for believing in Naggasatkan, Quiter," he shared. He also expressed interest in partnering with the university and promoting Ilokano literature to young readers.

In response, Prof. Herdy Yumul, Director of the Office for Strategic Communication and supervising editor of the MMSU Press, praised the author and commended the team behind the effort. "We thank Mr. Manuel for trusting MMSU Press with his work," Prof. Yumul noted, adding that through the hard work of the MMSU Press Editorial Team, the English edition is slated to hit bookstores and academic shelves next year.

The NBDB’s Translation Subsidy Program aims to dismantle linguistic barriers, providing financial support to local authors and publishers translating works between regional Philippine languages, Filipino, and English. To date, the program has supported 113 titles, continuously bringing regional stories into the national and global spotlight.

Through this upcoming English translation, MMSU Press and Mr. Manuel ensure that the distinct humor, heart, and cultural nuances of the Ilokano spirit will resonate far beyond the boundaries of the home province.