Book on Mindanawon/Lumad Philosophy Earns Nomination in the 43rd NBDB National Book Awards

Aletheia Publishing proudly congratulates Dr. Jerry D. Imbong, a faculty of Visayas State University, on his book's nomination as a Finalist for Best Book in Philosophy in the National Book Development Board's 43rd National Book Awards.

His book Towards a Mindanawon/Lumad Philosophy: The Filipino Philosophy of Bro. Karl Gaspar, CSsR, offers a sustained and original engagement with the thought and praxis of Karl Gaspar, Redemptorist brother, anthropologist, award-winning writer, and cultural worker, situating his philosophy within the lived realities, struggles, and wisdom traditions of Mindanawon and Lumad communities. Through careful analysis and contextual reflection, the work articulates a philosophy rooted in place, culture, and a commitment to social justice, thereby expanding the horizons of Filipino philosophical discourse.

The nomination affirms the book’s scholarly depth and its vital contribution to amplifying indigenous and regional voices in philosophy, underscoring the continuing relevance of Mindanawon/Lumad thought in shaping contemporary intellectual and ethical conversations.

Dr. Epifanio San Juan, a prominent critic and activist, notes in the book's blurb: "This book is a much-awaited introduction to the effort of Bro. Karl Gaspar in forging a Mindanawon/Lumad indigenous philosophy. Bro. Karl's resistance against U.S. Imperialism and its local oligarchs inspired multitudes. Prof. Imbong's initiative in calling attention to the plight of the Lumads is noteworthy. I hope this book can launch a spark that will kindle a prairie-fire of debate, argumentation, and inquiry into the neoliberal legitimization of our neocolonial predicament."

An annual prize that honors the most outstanding titles written and published in the Philippines, the National Book Awards celebrates the enterprising creative labor involved in book publishing. Since 2008, it has been co-administered by the Filipino Critics Circle and National Book Development Board.

This marks Aletheia Publishing's sixth NBA nomination, and the third title from the Aletheia Philosophy Series to receive this distinction. The winners will be announced in February 2026.

Get your copies of the book here.

World Philosophy Day 2025

Honoring World Philosophy Day 2025 with a showcase of our philosophy publications, with deep gratitude to our esteemed writers and editors. Thank you for your enthusiastic support!

PRE-ORDER Form: TRESE as Philosophy

Grab your copy of TRESE as Philosophy at the Special Pre-order price of only ₱550 (Regular Price: ₱675). Don’t miss out — this offer is available until November 21 only!

PRE-ORDER (Closed): https://forms.gle/eshtkyzi9ojUA5Y67

No. of Pages: 216 pp

Size: 6 x 9 inches

ISBN: 978-621-8155-33-6

TRESE as Philosophy: Living Among the Creatures of the Night is a groundbreaking work and the inaugural volume of our new series, Pinoy Pop Culture as Philosophy — the first of its kind in the Philippines to apply the “as philosophy” approach to local works of popular culture. In his book, fans and thinkers of this beloved komiks series explore the dark and thrilling TRESE universe, uncovering fresh insights into its themes, characters, and cultural significance.

Some of its chapters include:

• Alexandra Trese as the Modern Filipina: Analyzing Female Agency in Trese
• The Diabolical Pact: The Agreements as Social Contract for Intergenerational Justice
• Embrace of the Tiyanak: An Allegory for the Superego
• Supernatural Elites and Human Oligarchs: Trese as a Necessary Fiction
  
  "Reading the chapters written for this book, I am in awe of what they have uncovered. When Kajo and I created the first thirteen cases of TRESE, we worked on them on a case-by-case, month-by-month basis. And somehow, in the telling of these tales, a pattern started to emerge, a pattern that was discovered by these philosophers/detectives who have read and reviewed TRESE from their point of view. Their chapters now shed light on our mysteries and reveal their underlying messages.” — Budjette Tan, co-creator of TRESE (from his foreword)

Pinoy Pop Culture as Philosophy aims to make philosophy more accessible by exploring philosophical themes in Filipino popular culture. It supports the claim that numerous works in Filipino popular culture are philosophical and, thus, worthy of philosophical investigation. In this perspective, creators are "not only inspired by philosophy, or use ideas they learned in philosophy class, but they can convey philosophical points, raise philosophical questions, and even make philosophical arguments [thus] the works they produce can be philosophy, and as a result are worth philosophical examination," as noted in The Palgrave Handbook of Popular Culture as Philosophy (edited by David Kyle Johnson, 2023, xiii).

TRESE as Philosophy is edited by Leander Penaso Marquez. The contributors include: Alexander Atrio L. Lopez, Beaujorne Sirad Ramirez, Justin Felip D. Daduya, Concordia Marie A. Lagasca-Hiloma, Khent Bryll M. Jarales, Dan Ian Niño B. Jaducana, Carl Jayson D. Hernandez, Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Jairus Diesta Espiritu, and Ralph Jason V. Abad

(Special thanks to the creators Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, as well as 19th Avenida Publishing House, for their permission to use the Trese logo and the image of Alexandra Trese.)

Pop Culture Philosopher David Kyle Johnson Writes Commentary for TRESE as Philosophy

Pop culture and philosophy academic David Kyle Johnson writes the following commentary for TRESE as Philosophy, the inaugural volume for the Pinoy Pop Culture as Philosophy series by Aletheia Publishing:

“I’m thrilled to see the ‘as philosophy’ approach flourishing beyond the Western canon and into Filipino popular culture. TRESE as Philosophy not only brings rigorous philosophical insight to a rich cultural phenomenon but also helps bring philosophy itself to the people, where it truly belongs. This is exactly the kind of creative, accessible, and cross-cultural engagement our field needs.”

David Kyle Johnson is the editor-in-chief of the Palgrave Handbook of Popular Culture as Philosophy and also regularly writes and edits volumes for William Irwin’s celebrated Philosophy and Pop Culture series (published by Blackwell-Wiley). This includes the recent volumes Black Mirror and Philosophy: Dark Reflections and a second edition of Introducing Philosophy through Popular Culture (with William Irwin).

In his book's "AS PHILOSOPHY" perspective, creators are "not only inspired by philosophy, or use ideas they learned in philosophy class, but they can convey philosophical points, raise philosophical questions, and even make philosophical arguments t.. [thus] the works they produce can be philosophy, and as a result are worth philosophical examination" (Johnson, 2023, xiii).

David Kyle Johnson earned his Ph.D. at the University of Oklahoma. His specializations include metaphysics, logical and scientific reasoning, and philosophy of religion, and he has published articles in journals such as Sophia, Religious Studies, Think, Philo, SHERM (Socio-Historical Examination of Religion and Ministry), Religions, Philosophia Christi, and Science, Religion and Culture.

New Spin-off for Aletheia Philosophy Series