The local book fair returns for its 3rd edition, bigger and more energized than ever.
So many books to read, so little time! Let the book hoarding begin again as the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) returns for its third year from March 13 to 16 at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.
The festival is organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), a government agency tasked with advancing the country’s literary industry. They said that the four-day event is meant to “promote a culture of reading, ensure that every Filipino has access to quality Philippine books, and develop the publishing industry in the Philippines.”
“The PBF is many things, but above all else, it has always been our love letter to the Philippine book industry: the writers, the illustrators and designers, the publishers and the editors, the printers and the booksellers,” NBDB executive director Charisse Aquino-Tugade said during the recent media launch.
The festival promises to be a landmark event as it will feature a poetry-slam contest, live murals, film screenings, writing workshops, meet-and-greet sessions with authors, as well as other highlights bookworms can look forward to at the 2025 edition.
The festival’s four realms
PBF will once again feature works divided into their four popular realms.
Each was designed by four contemporary Filipino artists, highlighting the country’s famous festivals: Kid Lit for children (inspired by the Dinagyang Festival and designed by Juno Abreu), Komiks to showcase our country’s komiks industry (inspired by Tuna Festival and designed by Paul Eric Roca), Booktopia for lovers of fiction and non-fiction (inspired by Panagbenga Festival and designed by Danielle Florendo), and Aral Aklat for textbooks and educational materials (inspired by Pahiyas Festival and designed by Pepot Atienza).
Attendees can participate in talks, activities, and workshops based on their interests.
Exhibitions return
The past editions’ exhibitions are set to return, including the facsimile of Jose Rizal’s Noli me tangere and El filibusterismo, which are part of the National Library of the Philippines’s Rare Book Collection.
Interacting with the literary community
Besides choosing from thousands of books for sale, festival-goers can also look forward to meeting authors such as Ricky Lee, Manix Abrera, and Ambeth Ocampo. The PBF was first held in 2023 from June 2 to 4 at the World Trade Center. It was then brought to SMX Davao City from August 18 to 20. Entrance is free of charge.