Philippine Book Festival returns this March—here's what to expect
Libraries and bookstores offer familiar comforts, but if you want to really experience books, you go to a festival. It's where you find new favorites, meet authors, and hang out with other people who get it. That's what the Philippine Book Festival is all about this March.
Presented by the National Book Development Board, the book festival is back for its third edition set on March 13 to 16 at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall.
This year, the PBF is putting the spotlight on Filipino books, catering to attendees at all ages. They are also bringing back some exhibitions, 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.
Excited about what’s more in store? Read on.
What to expect
For the third edition of the PBF, attendees can explore four "realms": Kid Lit (children's literature), Komiks (graphic novel), Aral Aklat (education), and Booktopia (fiction, nonfiction, poetry).
Four contemporary Filipino artists are also featured in each section. 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 four-day event is filled with talks, workshops, and book signing events with the country’s celebrated authors.
Join in the discussion about arts and culture in “Kularts: The Philippine Diaspora” featuring PBF founder Charisse Aquino-Tugade Alleluia Panis and special artists from San Francisco, and “The Book Essentials: Prepare to Sell Your Rights” with Lawrence Schimel. Some experts will talk about gender inclusivity in Philippine Literature.
For workshops, you may check out creating your brand as an author with celebrity stylist-TikTok influencer KC Leyco and author Cris Mari. Aspiring writers may join the poetry writing session for beginners and a session about how to transform written works to stage plays, among others. Meanwhile, kids can participate in the young illustrator’s workshop by Ang INK founding member Beth Parrocha.
Bianca Umali will also be there for a special book reading by Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug, authored by Nelson Canlas and Dr. Isabel Cabel Moreno-Go.
Stephanie Zubiri will also share more about her book, Chalky the Chameleon, which was inspired by her eight-year-old son, Max, who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Some of the country's celebrated authors will also hold signing sessions, including Ricky Lee, Ambeth Ocampo, and Manix Abrera.
They have also launched a web show series dubbed Show YourShelf, which you can check out before the festival. Aiming to promote the love of reading, each episode features Filipino creatives and professionals sharing their insights about the books on their shelves and how these have helped them in their lives and professional careers.
The entrance is free, and those interested in attending the event may register here. Don’t forget to take a screenshot after completing the form. Walk-ins are welcome.
