The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) proudly announces Rommel E. Joson as the winner of the 2025 De Jesus Wordless Book Prize for “Alikabok sa Liwanag.”

Rommel Joson is an illustrator and painter. He has illustrated children’s books from various Philippine publishers and has participated in two international comics anthologies. In 2015, his children’s book "Isang Harding Papel" with Augie Rivera won the Filipino Readers Choice Awards for Best Children’s Book. In 2018 he won the Komura; Creator’s Grant to self-publish the zine anthology Takatak Komiks. He is currently a full-time faculty member at the UP College of Fine Arts where he is also taking up his postgraduate studies.

PBBY also recognizes Al Estrella, Dani Go, and Ray Sunga as the Honorable Mention Awardees.

The winners of the 2025 De Jesus Wordless Book Prize will be awarded at the 42nd National Children’s Book Day ceremonies on July 15, 2025 at Museo Pambata.