Philippine Book Festival 2025 is harder, better, faster, stronger than ever
The Philippine Book Festival (PBF), now in its third year, is back with renewed energy and a broader reach.
Since its 2023 inception under the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the PBF aims to not only promote local books but also uphold Filipino history and culture.
Apart from that, the event also strives to address the country's learning poverty. According to the World Bank's 2022 data, at least 90% of Filipino children aged 10 struggle to read or understand simple text.
Boasting over 280 literary events, 225 exhibitors, and over P925 million in sales, the fair has drawn over 75,000 visitors.
This year's venue, the Megatrade Hall at SM Megamall, while more compact than previous locations at the World Trade Center and SMX Davao, is strategically chosen for enhanced accessibility. Its proximity to the MRT-3 and EDSA Busway ensures convenient access for attendees from across Metro Manila and beyond, including Caloocan, Quezon City, Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Cainta, Taytay, and Antipolo, as noted by NBDB Executive Director and PBF founder, Charisse Aquino-Tugade.
The 2025 PBF will be held from March 13 to 16, which comes ahead of National Literature Month in April, and the 30th anniversary of NBDB in June.
Putting Filipino books at the forefront
During the "Can Filipino stories change the world?" discussion attended by PhilSTAR L!fe, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee noted that many Filipino books are tucked in hidden sections of bookstores.
"Ang mga foreign authors, halos sakop na ang bookstore at nakadisplay sa unahan at sa windows," he said.
Lee recalled seeing his seminal scriptwriting manual Trip to Quiapo, a required text for many communication students in college, among the Philippine maps—much to his amusement and bewilderment. On another occasion, when he and his staff saw his books underneath a pile of other titles, they had to secretly place them on top.
"Kumbaga sa pelikula, para kaming mga extra lang," Lee said. "Dito sa PBF, mga bida kami, kahit sa apat na araw lang sa buong taon."
Edgar Samar, the recipient of the prestigious Southeast Asian Writers or S.E.A. Write Award from Thailand in 2024, lamented that though it's difficult to encourage students to read, the country's economic crisis also compounds the problem. Still, he urged those who can to put importance on books and other long-form reads amid the challenges posed by social media.
"Sa social media, ineencourage tayo na magcomment at magshare sa isang bagay kahit di pa talaga napagmumunian," Samar said.
The Janus Silang series author also reminded readers to consider works that answer the questions, "Where am I" and "What I want."
Furthermore, Samar emphasized the need for the production of more works in other Philippine languages.
"Mismong language ang nagbubukas ng mga paksang di-basta kayang talakayin," he said. "Kailangan pa natin iexplore na gumagamit ng several languages ang Filipino kapag nagtatagpo at nag-iisip. Di pa natin fully nacacapture ito."
Ultimately, Samar said the writer has the responsibility to strive for quality not only for his readers but also for himself.
"Laging may pangangarap ng higit kaysa sa kung anong mayroon na tayo sa ngayon," he said. "Ginagawa natin ang gusto natin dahil nangangarap tayo ng mundong higit pa sa naririto."
Inspiring the next generation of readers
Mina Esguerra, who self-publishes contemporary romance stories, noted that Filipinos, especially the youth, love the genre and would continue reading them as they grow older. Esguerra said social media and online platforms can be helpful if they serve as avenues where people develop a love of reading, whether they're romance stories or not.
"It is not online content versus books," she said. "What is important is accessibility... Internet helps with accessibility."
She's looking forward to authors writing more unexplored stories, including queer relationships and disabilities.
"[We need] more diversity in terms of characters, social class, body types, locations, languages, religions, and time periods. We don't need to change the 'Happily ever after' trope, but we need to change the who and where," she said.
Meanwhile, comic book artist Randy Valiente, who won several accolades including the 2024 National Book Award, noted how people like him have the power to introduce audiences to literature.
Valiente recalled his seven-year-old nephew who plays Minecraft most of the time. During his usual visit to a bookstore, he saw a comic book about the game and bought it for his nephew.
"Di ko navideohan, pero 'yung mukha niya, parang nakakita ng anghel," he said. "Entry point ang ginawa ko for this kid para magbasa. Later on, di ko alam ang mangyayari sa kanya... pero at least, nagbigay ako ng pinto sa kaniya."
Valiente also noted how comics serve as a reflection of Philippine society, with colonial mentality still in place. He recalled attending one comic convention where local works were still heavily influenced by Japanese and Americans.
Nevertheless, he commended how the genre has been given much importance nowadays unlike in the '90s.
"Walang nakakakilala sa amin, pambalot lang ng tinapa ang comics. Ngayon, napag-aaralan na sa akademya," he said.
Valiente, who hails from Odiongan in Romblon, is hoping for comics to be used to unearth more stories from the regions.
"Baka ang dami nating kuwentong di lumalabas, nasa matatanda lang at di na nila naipasa," he said.
What to expect in PBF 2025
For the third edition of the PBF, four contemporary Filipino artists have highlighted the country's famous festivals. During its inception, the PBF introduced four "realms": Kid Lit (children's literature), Komiks (graphic novel), Aral Aklat (education), and Booktopia, (fiction, nonfiction, poetry.
Juno Abreu is featuring the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo for Kid Lit, Paul Eric Roca the Tuna Festival of Davao for Komiks, Joffrey "Pepot" Atienza the Pahiyas Festival of Quezon for Aral Aklat, and Danielle Florendo the Baguio Flower Festival for Booktopia.
The quad worked on a key visual serving as the PBF's "living storybook," depicting a sprouting magnificent tree that holds four treasures representing the four realms/festivals.
"This tree doesn't just embody the essence of the festivals—it invites all to join its circle and explore Filipino literature as it blossoms across these four distinct yet interconnected realms," the NBDB said.
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.
Activities include live murals, film screenings, poetry slam contests, book launchings, and writing workshops.
Some of the country's celebrated authors will also hold signing sessions, including Lee, Ambeth Ocampo, and Manix Abrera.
