Cover A bigger and better Philippine Book Festival awaits Filipino readers from April 25 to 28 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. (Photo: Courtesy of National Book Development Board)
A bigger and better Philippine Book Festival awaits Filipino readers from April 25 to 28 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. (Photo: Courtesy of National Book Development Board)
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The four-day festival guarantees a “bigger and better” experience with a wider range of local works and an exciting lineup of talks and workshops for all to enjoy at no cost
The Philippine Book Festival (PBF) returns this year with the same commitment to fostering a nation of readers through promoting a culture of reading and advancing the publishing industry in the country. Publishers, authors, artists, educators, and readers will once again gather at the country’s largest travelling book festival that will take place at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from April 25 to 28.
Organised by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the unique book fair integrates education, entertainment, tourism, and shopping into a single event for everyone of all ages to enjoy at no cost.
“The Philippine Book Fair is a program that celebrates Philippine culture and encompasses our agency’s long-term plans: improve access for every Filipino reader, democratise distribution, and enable our publishers and authors to keep producing Philippine books,” said NBDB chairperson Dante Francis Ang II.
For its second edition, the PBF aims to showcase an extensive collection of published works and titles from the Philippines and offer a diverse range of talks and workshops during this four-day celebration.
In addition to the extensive collection of published works and titles from the Philippines, the PBF—for its second edition—offers a diverse range of talks and workshops to allow Filipino bookworms to develop their knowledge and meet their favourite authors for free.
Here are the programs PBF goers should watch out for in the much-awaited four-day festival:
Read, meet, greet
Above Philippine Book Festival 2023 (Photo: Courtesy of National Book Development Board)
Philippine Book Festival 2023 (Photo: Courtesy of National Book Development Board)
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Book enthusiasts anticipating the second PBF have much to be excited about. One is a meet-and-greet and book signing event with author Gwy Saludes in A Day with Gwy Saludes.
History fans will also have a chance to speak with author and historian Ambeth Ocampo and have their books signed in a session called Ambeth Without the Overcoat.
Aspiring scriptwriters can also look forward to National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee’s presentation of Trip To Quiapo. At the same time, Dahling Nick: A Tribute to National Artist Nick Joaquin will honour the renowned writer.
Attendees can also immerse themselves in other sessions, such as Aklat Para Sa Accla: New Trends in Boys Love and Girls Love and Comics Can Change the World with Patti Ramos and Zine-making 101, a workshop on crafting independently produced “fanzine” led by Komiket.
Four realms
Above Philippine Book Festival 2023 (Photo: Courtesy of National Book Development Board)
Philippine Book Festival 2023 (Photo: Courtesy of National Book Development Board)
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This year, the festival reintroduces its four iconic realms: Kid Lit, a land featuring literature for children; Komiks, which puts the spotlight on Filipino-made comic books; Booktopia, home to an abundance of fiction and non-fiction titles; Aral Aklat, which is devoted to textbooks and educational materials.
This year, the National Library of the Philippines is returning the Rare Book Collection, featuring a new selection of rare manuscripts.
There will also be the Book Bar, a library of sorts filled with award-winning books; Cosplay Filipiniana, a cosplay competition among fans portraying their beloved Filipino literary characters; and Guhit Pambata, an exhibit highlighting the creations of some of the best children’s book illustrators in the country.
The PBF also promises panels, puppet shows, storytelling sessions featuring surprise celebrity guests, and live performances that will captivate audiences throughout the four-day celebration.
Longer duration
Above Philippine Book Festival 2023 (Photo: Courtesy of National Book Development Board)
Philippine Book Festival 2023 (Photo: Courtesy of National Book Development Board)
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Previously a three-day affair, the NBDB added a day to this year’s festival to give teachers, librarians, and organisations ample time to research the books they need for their schools.
“Ang Philippine Book Festival ang nagsisilbing panghikayat ng NBDB sa iba pang mga organisasyon na lumahok at makiisa sa mga programang nagtutulak sa mga Filipino na magbasa dahil ang aklat ay para sa lahat,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade. [The Philippine Book Festival serves as the NBDB's encouragement to other organisations to participate and join in programs that encourage Filipinos to read because books are for all.]
Like last year, the NBDB is collaborating with the Department of Education to train more than 750 book evaluators and procurement officers from across the country to assess the learning materials they need for students of their regions.
Visual feast
Above Philippine Book Festival 2023 (Photo: Courtesy of National Book Development Board)
Philippine Book Festival 2023 (Photo: Courtesy of National Book Development Board)
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Aside from a feast for the mind, the festival will also be a delight to the eyes with the designs of talented graphic designers and book illustrators Marc Vincent Soriano, Liza Flores, and Beth Parrocha.
Parrocha's captivating designs for the four realms—inspired by the elements of water, earth, fire, and air—provide a visually immersive experience for attendees.
The fair is open to the public from 8am to 8pm on April 25 to 28, with no entrance fees.
For more information on the Philippine Book Festival and to register for free, visit philippinebookfest.com.
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