| In the age of digital and streaming, the one thing that is still relevant from the analog age is books. Reading is essential despite there are digital versions of physical books and other print material.
But you can’t replace the tactile feel of flipping pages and the smell of a newly printed material in a physical format that continues to allure readers. Recently, the National Book Development Board (NBDB) organized its first-ever event that invites not only local authors, creators, and publishers. But also, inviting foreigners from all over the world to let them know that books in the Philippines and reading is very much relevant in the industry. |
The event is the Philippine Book Festival, not to be confused with the Philippine International Bookfair which has been the longest-running book event in the country. This is another venue to promote books and reading to every individual from all walks of life. It is a very diverse event from different genres and themes that you may find and discover from the authors and publishers both local and international.
There’s always a first for everything to learn more about the local culture through the books and other publishing materials you may find at this event. As a long-time reader and advocate for local comics and graphic novel mediums, I’m on board with the way Filipino comics are one of the main highlights of this event.
Filipino Komiks are Thriving
Those who keep saying “Filipino Komiks” are dead can’t get their perspective that newsstands have been long gone, and the only way to find these visual stories with thought balloons is through other avenues at local bookstores, comic shops, or even at events like this is where you will find it alive and thriving.
Those who kept saying that the concept is dead are not looking for it, and most of the casual masses are just too lazy to even take accountability to accept it is not dead. The reason for its demise in the 1990s is the same people who kept saying the concept has passed on probably won’t even have the courage to discover something new from the world of Filipino Komiks that has been recognized internationally.
Books of Self-Discovery
Aside from the Filipino Komiks section that featured local authors, creators, and publishers, other parts of this event also highlight local children’s books and reading materials for education that are being used in local classrooms or even in school libraries (if they are still a thing in the Philippines).
The other highlight of this event is the international guests who have their booths featuring their books printed in their language. It is something for local visitors to discover something different and enticing for those curious to take up the language out of the normal things they find in everyday life.
It is certainly a place to visit again and to look forward to what the Philippine Book Festival has to offer at the same time expanding on the event’s first year would be something to look forward to, and this is just one of the many firsts for this event that they will improve on going forward with the next in 2024.
The Philippine Book Festival is happening from 2-4 June 2023 at the World Trade Center in Manila, and entrance is free. All you need is to register online to secure a QR code to gain entrance to this event. You may follow the National Book Development Board (NBDB) on their social media via Facebook and Instagram!
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