| The Philippines Book and Development Board returns with this year’s Philippine Book Festival, which has been consistently held since 2023, and despite the venue change beginning last year, the turnout for literacy and interest in reading has been great for young readers in a world of e-books.
Every year, PBF, there’s always something new to see, and book titles that are locally published from the grassroots that inspire those who continue the support of literacy, and inspire imagination in young minds that show reading an actual book is not entirely a lost art to foster interest for the next generation. |
It’s only Friday, but the turnout since the opening yesterday has been forthcoming for those expecting this event. Now held at the SM Megamall’s three Megatrade Halls on the upper level of the major shopping centre is hard to miss as posters on the escalators all the way down from the basement are heavily promoting this event.
From renowned Filipino authors to well-known book aficionados, there’s always room for other interests in literacy. It’s surprising that the Philippine Postal Service even have their own booth that is promoting Stamp Collecting in the era where clicking an email or sliding to someone’s DMs has been the way of life.
There are so many things to explore at this year’s PBF, which runs until Sunday, and you can still find the modern romance novels or find out that Children’s books are still thriving even though the general masses have been heavily exposed to social media for “entertainment purposes.”
You can give credit to the creatives making their stories by crafting tales with local folklore, and putting out good material out there that even television networks just rehashing the same overused formula is no longer going to cut it. But some create interesting stories from their youth that changed their life experience, worth sharing in the form of a book.
You can feel the energy in the room where renowned, award-winning authors talk about their experience in life and promote their creations that have been best sellers locally and internationally.
It’s the place where the general masses have easily forgotten that there are books still being produced, and why staring at mobile phones through social media has become an unhealthy place to be when it comes to mental health.
The Filipino Komiks is not dead, and it is thriving here, thanks to Komiket and other independent publishers who continue to promote this type of literacy that is getting so much international attention due to the talented writers and illustrators powering the genre that has been growing with new talents and creators getting discovered through their works by those who continue to find the inspiration.
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Sometimes, you don’t need to see the advertisement on television; word of mouth is strong through social media, or anywhere you are on the internet. All you need is to be definite to show up and see what the world of Philippine literacy has to offer. Because not everything that is “entertaining” is on social media, and you may find your way to something way better than just staring at your mobile phone like a zombie, and you may meet a community that shows you the power of imagination is in the books, and finding you, creakily, through the stories of some of the storytellers in the industry that continue to craft stories based from Filipino culture and beyond.
“Philippine Book Festival” is happening from 13 to 15 March 2026, and it is a FREE entry to walk-ins who only need to register to enter the main hall. The event is open from 10 AM to 8 PM, and for more about the event, you may follow them on your social media via Facebook and Instagram!
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