Are you ready for the book event of the year? We are! The Philippine Book Festival is just around the corner and it’s an event that everyone should be excited about.
If you’re thinking of joining in on the fun, this is your comprehensive guide to the Philippine Book Festival. We’ll be covering the who, what, when and where of it—including how you can get involved!
So pour yourself a cup of coffee and pull up a chair as we take you on a grand tour of the first-ever Philippine Book Festival. Get ready to unearth all kinds of literary adventures and uncover new sources of inspiration with us!
What is the Philippines Book Festival 2023 (PBF)?
Experience the largest traveling book fair in the Philippines! The first Philippine Book Festival is an exciting event that is sure to delight book lovers of all ages and interests. This event is a celebration of literature, culture, and the joy of reading, and it offers a wide range of activities and attractions for attendees to enjoy.
Organized by Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade and the NBDB team, the Philippine Book Festival is set to be a huge event that lasts for three days. It will take place at the World Trade Center, along Buendia Avenue in Pasay City from June 2-4 and is free to attend.
At the festival, you can explore a range of exciting activities like book launches, book signings, panel discussions, workshops, and exhibits. Discover their unique stories from 7641 islands and more than 110 ethnolinguistic groups! You can also meet your favorite authors, join a workshop, explore an exhibit and purchase Filipino books for free - all under one roof. It's a great platform for publishers, writers, illustrators and readers to come together and showcase their works.
Let's promote literacy and reading while celebrating the richness of Philippine literature and culture!
How to Register for the Book Festival
The Philippine Book Festival is free to attend, and it's super easy to sign up! All you have to do is head over to the website and click on "Register to join the event for free" at the top. A pop-up window will appear and only ask for some basic information like your first name, last name, username, password, email address, mobile number, age group and sex assigned at birth. It's that simple! Sign up in five minutes or less and get ready for the fun!
Schedule overview of the Book Festival
The festivities begin on June 2nd and run through June 4th, every 10am–9pm except on the first day, where the special opening time will be at 4pm
The festival will focus mainly on book launches and activities like writer-reader dialogs and forums. Each day will also have its own schedule of activities; for example, the opening ceremony on June 2 will also feature an Awards Ceremony for the NBDB Grant Recipients. The NBDB hosts a competitive grant program for writers, illustrators, and publishers. During the ceremony, NBDB will award the grantees of the Publication, Translation, and National Book Development Trust Fund grant. Also, there will be smaller events such as workshops happening simultaneously, but in different venues.
On June 3rd and 4th, there will be morning keynote addresses from well-known authors, followed by author talks throughout the day. You can also participate in signings, workshops, meet-the-author sessions, and even a fun-filled bazaar! Every hour during those days is sure to be filled with something interesting.
Special Events at the Festival
Get ready to find your favorite book and dive into a world of literature at the PH Book Festival! The festival has something for everyone, and will be packed with special events that you won’t want to miss - from book launches to author discussions, there is something for every book lover.
Live performances, stage readings, author panels, workshops and signings are just the start of the festivities. You can even get up close and personal with your favorite authors at meet-and-greet sessions throughout the day. Plus, there will be delightful games to keep you entertained!
If that’s not enough, there will also be booths from local independent publishers and sellers who will showcase their work. What better way to spend the day than exploring books and soaking up new cultures?
Navigating the Book Festival 2023
There are four main sections in the upcoming Philippine Book Festival that you need to know. These sections are:
Kids Lit: Here you can find a wide selection of books for kids and young adults.
Booktopia: This section contains books that tackle diverse topics, making it perfect for individuals who love to read about various subjects.
Komiks Land: Comic book lovers and collectors can check out classic and new comics in this section.
Aral Aklat: Students can discover new textbooks in this section.
Apart from these sections, there will also be a Book Nook. This section will display books of award-winning titles from the National Book Awards. Additionally, there will be a History of Philippine Book exhibition. The exhibition is curated by the National Library of the Philippines and National Book Development Board (NBDB).
So, are you ready to get your reading on? The first-ever PH Book Fest is sure to be memorable for bookworms and non-readers alike. You'll get the chance to experience a variety of books from local and international authors, mingle with like-minded people, and eat some delicious grub while you're at it. It's the perfect opportunity to explore the book world and to find meaningful conversations with literary folks. Plus, you'll get the chance to stock up on books for your home library. Be sure to join in on the fun, get your ticket and get ready to read!
The Philippine Book Festival is having a second leg at SMX Davao from August 18 to 20. For more information, check out National Book Development Board - Philippines's Facebook page.
