Nick Joaquin Graphic Fiction Awards @ The Manila Hotel

Last time I was at the Manila Hotel, I was, I think 5, so no I don't really remember much. I arrived last night and was greeted by the cheesy sound of violins (I was hungry already). I was looking for my Iligan co-fellow, Michelle Tan, and since I couldn't find her in the lobby, I signed up first at the reception area of the Maynila Function Room, which looked like a mystic mix of arabian and bahay kubo design (whuuut?!)

But the place was really nice. The overhead dome made me feel like I was in a... harem? (whuut again?!)

Dome-chandelier with magical lights O_O

I gotta be honest, I was excited to eat hehe. :D Especially when I saw the dessert buffet, which I forgot to take pictures of. I tried all the appetizers (Tuna nicoise, vinegary corn and carrots, roast beef slices, salmon sashimi, etc) and skipped over to dessert. Who needs a main course when you've got lots of cake and chocolate?

Anywho the point of the event is to award the best of the best. This year's winners are *drum roll* (Oh and hooray for my IYAS co-fellow Shane!) Congrats to everyone:

L-R (Photo c/o Sir Krip Yuson): EIC Joel Pablo Salud; 1st Prize winner Thomas David Chavez, 3rd Prize winner Alex Almario, and 2nd Prize Winner Shane Carreon (of the Dumaguete National Writers Workshop 2011)

Aside from the winners, Ms. Gilda Cordero Fernando also received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Simply Amazing!

Sayang I couldn't stay to chat with the other writers, I had lots of stuff to do pa kasi hu hu hu.