For the People, With the People: Developing Social Enterprises in the Philippines won the Cardinal Sin Book Award (Ministry category) during the Catholic Mass Media Awards held October 13, 2010. The book is edited by Dr. Ma. Regina M. Hechanova, who is a faculty member of the Department of Psychology and the executive director of the Ateneo Center for Organizational Research and Development.



Published in 2009, the book celebrates hope in its stories about empowering urban women, providing families a home, turning garbage into gold, improving employees’ quality of life, and building capabilities of people and organizations. They are stories of struggle, of commitment, of joy, of pain, and even luck. Yet, they all began with ordinary people dreaming and believing that change could happen, and committing themselves to that change. Reading about them makes one realize the power of a collective, and shows what is truly at the heart of a social enterprise—an organization for and with the people.

The stories were written by Ma. Teresa A. Adriano, Maria Victoria T. Cortez, Leland Joseph R. Dela Cruz, Ma. Regina M. Hechanova-Alampay, Harvey S. Keh, Renee Ann L. Ortega, Karla Angelica Pastores, Ma. Teresa P. Que, Chona S. Sandoval, Cristyl Mae B. Senajon, Baldwin C. Velasco, Vanessa C. Villaluz, Katrina C. Wy, and Kimberly Melanie L. Yao.

Palaspas: An Appreciation of Palm Leaf Art in the Philippines, another book from the Ateneo de Manila University Press, was given the Cardinal Sin Book Award for Emerging Author. Palaspas was written by Elmer Nocheseda, an alumnus of the Ateneo (AB Economics 1981).

Palaspas begins with how the palm leaf has figured in our early history and culture, then highlights its myriad manifestations in the contemporary religious, social and economic practices of people in various communities. Enlivening the detailed instructions in creating the ephemerally beautiful forms are the stories behind the author's encounter with each krus na lukay, tipaklong, patupat ti sinublan, pusu, and many more.

Last September 15, Palaspas was awarded the Gintong Aklat for the Best Book in Art and Culture by the Book Development Association of the Philippines. On October 9, it won for its designer, Karl F.M. Castro, the top award in the Professional and Open category, Best in Bound Pieces, at the first Philippine Graphic Design Awards.

Other Ateneo authors and editors who made it to the finals of the Cardinal Sin Book Awards were:

Dr. Mike Asis (Theology Dept., SOH), writer of the Agenda for Hope book I Am Because We Are: Reflections on Love, Relationships, and Life.



Dr. Emy Liwag (Psychology Dept., SOSS) and Dr. Rofel Brion (Interdisciplinary Studies Dept., SOH), editors of the Agenda for Hope book In Their Own Voice: The Art of Being and Becoming. Congratulations too to the following Loyola Schools student contributors whose pieces make up the book: Verne Alexander Ahyong, Jane Bautista, Laurence Andrew Bueser, Angela Casauay, Liezl Margareth Cervatos, Conrad Nicolas de la Fuente, Tricia Marie Celine Elamparo, Ma. Louella Concepcion Fortez, Evangeline Gubat, Carina Amelia Manglapu, Jevrice Mariano, Bettina Patricia Palileo, Ivy Lee Parreño, Valerie Ria Rivera, Janine Rivera, Hedda Samson, Francisco Carlo Santos, Ray Anthony Santo, Charles Agan Tan, Maria Concepcion Manuel Tejada, Sandi Fedayeen Turla, Rene Emmanuel Viquiera



Dr. Toby Dayrit (Dean, SOSE), editor of the Agenda for Hope book Promoting Sustainable Development: Managing Water for a Sustainable Future. Congratulations too to the following contributors whose pieces make up the book:: Remmon E. Barbaza (Philosophy Dept., SOH), Germelino M. Bautista (Economics Dept., SOSS), Emilyn Q. Espiritu (Biology Dept., SOSE), Lukas Kaelin (Philosophy Dept., SOH), Alma Maria O. Salvador (Political Science Dept., SOSS).



Congratulations to the finalists and winners!