Discover new titles, meet your favorite authors, and celebrate the best of Filipino literature for FREE in the first-ever Philippine Book Festival.
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Calling all book lovers out there! Get ready to mark your calendars because the largest Pinoy book festival is about to give you nothing less than heaven. Experience the literary adventure of a lifetime as you discover new titles, meet your favorite authors, and celebrate the absolute best of Philippine literature at the inaugural Philippine Book Festival. It’s time to turn your bookish dreams into reality!
A FREE BOOK EXPERIENCE FOR ALL
Presented by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the agency behind the popular Book Nook program, the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) shines a spotlight on Filipino books, creators, and readers. This extraordinary event celebrates the very essence of Philippine literature, culture, and content, bringing together education, entertainment, and shopping in one thrilling festival for families, friends, and book enthusiasts alike. But hold up, it’s not your ordinary book fair—it’s a full-on book experience like no other!
With three days of awesomeness, the festival offers exclusive meet-and-greet events with renowned writers like Ambeth R. Ocampo, the award-winning author and historian, and Wattpad star Gwy Saludes. You can also hone your skills on webtoon storytelling, master the art of visual storytelling, learn the secrets of illustrating books for children, and much more through expertly crafted talks and workshops.
And if that wasn’t enough, engage in lively literary discussions and debates, be mesmerized by live performances and storytelling sessions, and immerse yourself in a plethora of stories at the festival’s very own Book Nook, featuring a carefully curated selection of books and cozy lounge areas. Oh, did we mention that entrance is absolutely FREE? Most workshops and programs are also free of charge, with a few requiring a fee starting at P400.
CELEBRATING FILIPINO AUTHORS AND LITERATURE
But the magic doesn’t stop there. The Philippine Book Festival is all about giving Filipino publishers and creators a much-deserved platform to showcase their exceptional work. NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade explains the vision behind the festival, “How come we know about Shakespeare? How come we know about all of these global authors, but we don’t even know the works of our own? We have amazing Filipino-authored content yet we lack access. We’ve created a space where the entire family can enjoy all genres — from children’s books to comics, textbooks, non-fiction books, and everything in between That’s what the Philippine Book Festival is all about.”
Prepare to be blown away as you explore four remarkable realms within the festival: Komiks for comics, Kid Lit for children’s literature, Booktopia for fiction and non-fiction, and Aral Aklat for educational materials and textbooks. These realms are curated by leading organizations in the book publishing industry such as the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), Komiket, the Philippine Educational Publishers Association (PEPA), and the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY), in partnership with NBDB.
PEPA President Jose Paolo Sibal expresses the organization’s excitement for participating in the festival, stating, “This is also the industry’s very concrete way of supporting the DepEd’s policy direction of decentralizing the evaluation and procurement process to the level of the regions. PEPA understands that this policy shift aims to provide more equitable access to quality education materials for our public school teachers and learners alike.”
TOWARDS A CULTURE OF READERSHIP AND AUTHORSHIP
At its core, the PBF aims to spark the joy of reading and learning while nurturing a vibrant publishing industry. The NBDB is dedicated to combating learning poverty and low literacy rates, starting with their innovative Book Nook program in 2021. These reading and storytelling centers, found in libraries, schools, and even remote areas like buses, enhance access to books and learning materials.
“Entering a bookstore or opening a new book gives a different kind of joy. A joy that we want to bring back and reintroduce to our children,” says Aquino-Tugade. “The Philippine Book Festival is here to educate the Pinoys about our books and spaces like this provide that access point where they can see, touch, read, and be exposed to these types of literary work. It’s also our chance to showcase everyone that we have quality material for libraries and educational institutions.”
The NBDB not only supports regional book fairs like the Bikol Book Festival but also represents Filipino literature at international events such as the Sharjah International Book Fair and Frankfurt Buchmesse London Book Fair. Through the PBF, they aim to reach even more Filipino readers, spreading the wonder of these incredible books far and wide.
TELLING MORE IMPACTFUL STORIES
But the Philippine Book Festival doesn’t stop at showcasing writers and illustrators or promoting reading—it’s a place that fosters co-creation. It’s where individuals from all walks of life can connect and collaborate to create stories that are meaningful and impactful for both adults and children. These are the books that champion social consciousness, diversity, and empathy.
With over 150 exhibitors, more than 50 seminars and events, and a ton of fun activities in store, the PBF is gearing up to be an unforgettable experience. PBF will take place from June 2, 4 PM to 9 PM, and on June 3 and 4 from 10 AM to 9 PM at the World Trade Center in Pasay. And mark your calendars because after the World Trade Center event, SMX Davao will play host to the next Philippine Book Festival from August 18 to 20, 2023.
Don’t miss out on this incredible experience and register now for FREE at www.philippinebookfest.com and secure your spot at the hottest literary event of the year! Stay in the loop by following the National Book Development Board and Philippine Book Festival on Facebook, as well as @bookfestph on Instagram and TikTok. Here’s to hoping PBF becomes an yearly tradition for all the Pinoy bookworms out there.
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