Cover Photo by Hans-Jürgen Weinhardt/Unsplash
Photo by Hans-Jürgen Weinhardt/Unsplash
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Purchasing the newest Filipino books, catching an entertaining program, or joining a workshop—learn everything about the event here!
There is no such thing as a bookworm phase. We drink in a good read or two now and then, feeding our souls with art and literature. This year’s Philippine Book Festival (PBF) sounds like a feast for our eyes, minds, and hearts—and we can’t wait.
The PBF is the largest travelling book festival in the Philippines. It celebrates the best of Philippine literature, culture, and content. One can purchase the newest Filipino books, learn to curate a library, catch an entertaining program, join a workshop, or meet favourite authors for free.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the much-awaited festival.
A book fair and creative space
Above Photo by Kate Bezzubets/ Unsplash
Photo by Kate Bezzubets/ Unsplash
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Make room on your shelves because you’ll need the space for the new books you’ll bring from the fair. There is a wide selection of exhibitors you can choose from, ranging from Booktopia, Kid Lit, Aral Aklat, and Komiks—the four literary sections of the festival.
The PBF is not just a book fair but an immersive space for learning and fun too. Below is a brief list of what to watch out for!
- At Home: Scenes from the Everyday is an immersive space in the varied colours of daily life occurrences and childhood memories, with artworks illustrated by Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), an organization of artists dedicated to children’s illustration.
- Komiks: Sining Bawal, on the other hand, showcases original works and illustrations by select comic artists and illustrators from different comic eras, curated from the private collections of Alfredo Alcala Jnr, Bambi Eloriaga-Amago, Jay Ignacio, Mickey Serafica, Damian ‘Ian’ Velasquez III, Dr Tedi Gustilo Villasor, and Louie Villegas, among others.
How do we register?
Above Photo by Thomas Lefebvre/Unsplash
Photo by Thomas Lefebvre/Unsplash
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Register for free at philippinebookfest.com. You can opt to visit and enjoy the festival on either of the following dates and venues:
- World Trade Center Manila: June 2 (4pm - 9pm); June 3 (10am - 9pm); June 4 (10am - 9pm)
- SMX Davao: August 18 (4pm - 9pm); August 19 (10am - 9pm); August 20 (10am - 9pm)
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Some events to look forward to
The PBF also boasts an array of events to choose from. Whether the meet and greet with renowned authors and illustrators or the literary discussions and debates, guests will surely leave the festival in a joyous mood.
- Awards Ceremony: NBDB Grant Recipients: On June 2 (from 2pm to 3pm) at the Main Stage of the World Trade Center, an awards ceremony will occur on behalf of National Book Development Board (NBDB) recipients. Every year, the board hosts a competitive grant program for writers, illustrators, and publishers. This year, they award the grantees of the Publication, Translation, and National Book Development Trust Fund Grant.
- Pagpupugay: A Tribute to Lualhati Bautista: National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor, will join the festivities at the Philippine Book Festival on June 2, from 4pm to 5pm. With Sue Prado, Genevieve Asenjo and Luna Sicat-Cleto, all four will pay tribute to Lualhati Bautista.
- Magbasa Tayo ng Children’s Big Books: Book Talk and Book Signing with Eugene Evasco, PhD: As the title says, bibliophiles will have the opportunity to meet Dr Evasco, a celebrated children’s author.
- Inventive Ways to Teach Literature in Diversified Classroom: Vibal Group Inc will conduct an informative talk on June 2 (10am to 12pm) on the different ways to teach literature in diversified classrooms. The lecture will be delivered by one of the consultants of Philippine K-12 Basic Education, Dr Roderick Aguirre.
- Finding Your Own Voice: An Interactive Workshop by Carlo Peña: Communication professional Carlo Peña will hold an interactive workshop for teachers and students in discovering their true voice, using the techniques and strategies used in his book, Oral Communication in Context on June, from 2 pm to 3 pm at the Amorsolo stage.
- Whatcha Saying? Learn Filipino Sign Language with CJ Reynaldo and friends: Learn Filipino Sign Language or FSL with freelance artist Caldwell Jones “CJ” Reynaldo and friends on June 2 from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Komiks Meeting Room. He advocates for the deaf community in the Philippines through his comics about deafness and FSL.
- Book Signing with Wilfredo Liangco: On June 2 (4 pm to 5 pm) at the Milflores Booth, get the chance to hang out with author Wilfredo Liangco.
- Fact or Fiction: Nurturing Critical Thinking in Students: UP Diliman assistant professor JC Punongbayan will hold a talk titled Fact or Fiction: Nurturing Critical Thinking in Students on June 2, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm at Booktopia Stage. This talk explores the power of critical thinking in education.
Discover more events by visiting philippinebookfest.com. You may take a look at their Instagram @bookfestph as well for extra measure.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
