Did you know that the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2026 brings together the full spectrum of of Philippine literary life?
The writers whose pages many of us grew up with – Ricky Lee, Virgilio Almario, Ambeth Ocampo-will be on hand along side trade-book favorites Jonaxx and Ron Canimo, kidlit masters Eugene Evasco and Luis Gatmaitan, and komiks legends Manix Abrera and Pol Media. Viral reads, poetry, pop fiction, indie zines, and award-winning titles every kind of reader finds their people here.
On March 14, 2026, the Final Stage will host the 43rd National Book Awards (NBA) – honoring the authors, illustrators, editors, translations, and publishers whose work has shaped and sustained Philippine literature. It is the festival’s day set aside entirely for the recognition of excellence and affirmation of the strength, creativity, and diversity of Filipino story telling this day.
The PBF is more than gathering of books. It is a gathering of the nation’s voices – where writers meet readers, teachers meet students, and communities come together around stories that are unmistakably ours. Literature lives beyond if it is shared, celebrated, and felt together.
National Book Development Board (NBD)’s Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2026 was launched on February 26, 2026. During the PBF 2026 Media Launch, Joffrey “Pepot” Atienza has revealed the theme of PBF 2026.
This year’s PBF gathers under the theme Gubat ng Karunungan—The Rainforest of Knowledge. A gubat is alive, layered, and interconnected, and our literary ecosystem is no different. Featured as the festival’s four signature realms, each one represents a distinct corner of Philippine literature and learning: different audiences, different genres—one forest, thriving and alive.
Kid Lit is built for young readers, featuring picture books, learning materials, and titles that nurture a lifelong love of stories.
Komiks brings the universe of Filipino comics to life, honoring the legends of the form while spotlighting emerging visual storytellers.
Booktopia is a meeting ground for the many voices shaping the Filipino literary imagination—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, and more.
Aral Aklat is dedicated to learning, featuring textbooks, teaching guides, and educational resources for classrooms, teachers, and library hubs across the country.
The PBF 2026 takes its theme from the richness underfoot and overhead: Gubat ng Karunungan or Rainforest of Knowledge. The key visual, crafted by returning artist and designer Joffrey “Pepot” Atienza, follows two characters, Yaz and Ye-ey, as they journey through a teeming rainforest, taking in its flora, fauna, and falls.
Drawing on his daily life at the foot of Mount Banahaw in Lucban, Quezon, Atienza wave recycled paper into the artwork as a deliberate gesture: the same trees that give us paper carry the stories we tell. “Our stories, our books, and our karunungan all start here – in the biodiversity we need to protect.”
PBF 2026 runs from March 12 to 15, 2026 at the Megatrade Hall, 5th Floor, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. FREE Entrance for ALL.
During the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2026 Media Launch on February 26, 2026, Charisse Aquino-Tugade, Executive Director, National Book Development Board (NBDB), has shared the PBF 2026 Programs and Feature Events.
DAY 1 (MARCH 12) FEATURED EVENTS:
FIESTA STAGE
Layag Pahina: The Opening Ceremonies; Fragile Frontier: The Climate Study of Palawan Film Launching UNESCO by National Commission of the Philippines; and Makata sa Pinas with Gloc-9 by Everything’s Fine
GUBAT NG KARUNUNGAN
The History Q&A with Prof. Xiao Chua by San Anselmo Press
BAHAY ILLUSTRADOR
Concept Character Making: From Idea to Visual Form by Jerome Supler
UMPUKAN
Making Learning Araling Panlipunan Fun with Alamin, and Alamin! by Adarna House
DAY 2 (MARCH 13) FEATURED EVENTS:
FIESTA STAGE
Culinary Calling: Pinoy Chefs’ Roundtable; and Mafia-mafihan, literary, literaryhan?
GUBAT NG KARUNUNGAN
Owver-owver sa Hiraya: Writing Queer; and Fantasy by GAD-NBDB
BAHAY ILLUSTRADOR
Make Your Little Dream House by Danielle Florendo)
UMPUKAN
Wellness for Authors by PaperKat Books
DAY 3 (MARCH 14) FEATURED EVENTS:
FIESTA STAGE
National Book Awards Ceremony & VivaOne Soecial Program
GUBAT NG KARUNUNGAN
PITCH, PLEASE by NBDB x PaperKat Books
BAHAY ILLUSTRADOR
HAGOD (The Brush Inking Techniques of the Filipino Komiks Masters) by Randy Valiente
UMPUKAN
PITCH, PLEASE! From Print to GMA Pictures by NBDB x GMA Pictures
DAY 4 (MARCH 15) FEATURED EVENTS:
FIESTA STAGE
Encantadia Chronicles Sang’gre Book Launch by GMA x PaperKat Books
GUBAT NG KARUNUNGAN
Malong: The Magic Cloth by Teatro Arellano
BAHAY ILLUSTRADOR
Paint Your Own Jeep by Patricia Ramos
UMPUKAN
Hayop na Booklaunch! With Naldo Vivo by Avenida Books
Join the Philippine Book Festival, from 12 to 15 March at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, where books, art, and culture come together in one unforgettable experience!
The Philippine Book Festival isn’t just another typical book fair—it offers a diverse array of events, including talks, workshops, meet-and-greets, book signings, exhibitions, and musical and literary performances. It’s an immersive book experience where attendees can purchase their favorite Filipino books, meet esteemed authors, participate in workshops, and even enjoy different contests. With special features like walking tours with National Artists, the festival presents an ideal opportunity to reintroduce the joy of reading to students in an engaging learning environment.
See you at the Philippine Book Festival!
PBF 2026 runs from March 12 to 15, 2026 at the Megatrade Hall, 5th Floor, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. FREE Entrance for ALL.
The National Book Development Board (NBDB)’s Philippine Book Festival (PBF) held on April 25 – 28, 2024 at World Trade Center Metro Manila is one of the grandest PBF this year 2024 entitled “PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL 2024”, “It’s Not Just A Book Fair, It’s a Book Experience.”
For me, it’s not just a book fair but it’s great art and book experience to witness the authors, publishers, artists, poet, creators, influencers, actors, book lovers and others personalities showing their great support to the Philippine Book Festival 2024. The exhibitors and guests were glad and enjoyed supporting the books, arts and creations related to Philippine literature, culture, entertainment, art, education, poetry and lifestyle in general showcase in the Philippine Book Festival at World Trade Center Metro Manila. They were thrilled to greet and meet their favorite authors, artists, actors, leaders, influencers and other personalities in the PBF 2024.
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senate of the Philippines, delivered a speech and mentioned of her support of the Philippine Book Festival. She also encourages everyone to support Philippine Book Festival and make it viral as many stories, and she would relish the sight of children going back to reading books, and reading the books written published by Filipino authors and Filipino publishers.
Despite of my schedules related to personal & business activities, I managed to attend the grand opening of the NBDB’s PBF 2024 last April 25, 2024 at World Trade Center Metro Manila. It’s a great book experience with the art of advocacy to support the Philippine Book Festival this day & beyond.
