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Tag: NBDB

  • The Asian Rights Fair-Manila Returns for its Second Edition, Urging Stronger Regional Ties in Publishing

    The Asian Rights Fair-Manila Returns for its Second Edition, Urging Stronger Regional Ties in Publishing

    Manila, Philippines – The National Book Development Board (NBDB), the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), and Primetrade Asia, Inc. opened the second Asian Rights Fair–Manila (ARF-MNL) 2025 yesterday, 8 September, at the SMX Convention Center.

    Under the theme Archipelago of Stories, the ARF-MNL is the first of its kind in the country, bringing together publishers, agents, and industry leaders from across Asia and beyond to explore translation opportunities, rights exchanges, and regional collaborations. It follows the Philippine publishing industry’s renewed efforts to strengthen ties within Asia, and comes as the country prepares to be Guest of Honour at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest book fair.

    In her welcome remarks, NBDB Executive Director and Philippines as Guest of Honour Project Co-Director Charisse Tugade emphasized the importance of stories crossing borders, noting that while “a Malaysian reader may rarely encounter Philippine works, and a Filipino student may not know the powerful voices from Indonesia, Thailand, or Central Asia, these stories—our stories—deserve to be shared.”

    Since assuming leadership in the NBDB in 2021, Tugade has been a pioneering figure in expanding the Philippine book market, spearheading flagship projects on industry development and boosting the country’s presence in international markets such as Bologna, London, and most notably, Frankfurt.

    The ARF-MNL’s opening program featured industry leaders, including Hasri Hasan of Malaysia; Yani Kurniawan of Indonesia; Sartika Dian of Thailand; Bayan Kabylash of Kazakhstan; and Jérôme Bouchaud of France. Philippine publishers Ned Parfan (UST Publishing House) and Rica Bolipata-Santos (Ateneo de Manila University Press), with Jun Matias (Precious Pages Corporation, Lampara Books) as moderator, joined the discussions, which spanned topics from academic markets and digital platforms to translation initiatives, literary prizes, and regional distribution.

    Sessions on the Southeast Asian market were led by Atty. Dominador Buhain, Philippine Educational Publishers Association Chair Emeritus, for the Philippines; Malaysian Book Publishers Association/ASEAN Book Publishers President Shake Faisal for Malaysia; and Intan F. Anggraini for Indonesia. Ranya Bakr introduced participants to the Arab publishing market, while Arthorn Techatada of Elite Creative Agency and Edmund Wee of Epigram highlighted the role of literary prizes in raising Asian voices, and Maria Christina Pangan-Cagalingan of the NBDB Philippines and Duangporn Sudhisomboon of Publishers Ande Booksellers Association of Thailand shared insights on grants available to publishers and authors across the region.

    The second ARF-MNL welcomed notable publishing professionals from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, and Kazahkstan, including Ampaporn Borwornratansilp, Worawit Kitikusoun, Kiridaren Jayakumar, Netrnudda Malicum, Khatthiya Banmai, Patcharee Boonchauy, Sasithorn Teth-uthapak, Jintana Srithilah, Mohd Khairulanuar Bin Manshor, Nurin Afiqah Binti Azlan, and Evelyn Ghozalli.


    The ARF-MNL is organized by the BDAP, led by its president, Atty. Andrea Pasion-Flores. By showcasing Asia’s publishing landscape, the ARF-MNL reaffirms its mission to make regional literature more visible to the world, and to one another. The program will be followed by the Rights Marketplace on 10–11 September 2025 at the Manila International Book Fair, also at the SMX Convention Center.

    Reference & Media Contact:

    For media inquiries, please contact: 

    Divine Reyes Caraecle

    Communications & Promotions Section

    communications@books.gov.ph

    0917-1396394

    About the National Book Development Board 

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the book authority of the Philippines. The agency is at the forefront of developing the Philippine publishing industry and safeguarding the country’s vibrant culture of authorship and reading. To learn more, visit our social media pages (@nbdbphilippines).

  • The 2025 Book Nook Conference Unites Different Reading Groups in ILOILO to Nurture the Reading Culture

    The 2025 Book Nook Conference Unites Different Reading Groups in ILOILO to Nurture the Reading Culture

    ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Over 80 reading space advocates, storytellers, and educators across the Philippines gathered for the annual Book Nook Conference 2025, organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB).

    The conference, held from August 20-22, 2025 aimed to consolidate the best practices as well as challenges faced by area coordinators for The Book Nook Project, a flagship program by the NBDB which aims to address the country’s reading crisis by setting up reading and storytelling spaces across the Philippines. Themed Sug-álaw: A Grand Encounter of Stories, Cultures, and Communities, the three-day event discussed the best sustainability practices and community-building tips to ensure book accessibility in different regions of the country.

    Almost four years since its launch, The Book Nook Project has expanded its presence in different regions of the country. Over 100 Book Nook sites are currently established in various provinces, cities, and barangays, with more than 20 additional sites to be unveiled this year.

    “The Book Nook Project has always been committed to making quality books more accessible not just in urban centers, but also in the most remote reaches of the country,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.

    The first two days of the conference included sessions and workshops centered on strengthening and digitalizing Book Nook services in the regions as well as developing effective literary engagements. For the third day of the conference, Book Nook area coordinators joined a  two-part cultural tour within Iloilo City. 

    Reaching out to communities

    The first half of the tour brought reading space advocates to the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) in Iloilo, where they visited the area’s local Book Nook site. Aside from the museum tour, participants also joined in on various activities, including the patadyong race, museum object hunt, and bookmark-making. 

    The Book Nook Project then visited the Book Nook Nabitasan Integrated School in Barangay La Paz, where the conference participants conducted storytelling sessions and literary activities with the students. Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, award-winning children’s book author, encouraged high school students to express themselves through movement and writing. Meanwhile, storyteller and inspirational speaker Rey Bufi showed future educators and librarians the process of building storytelling communities in Iloilo City.

    “The stories we read from our books–from our local prose, our myths, poetry, and legends–are all creations of the Filipino community. It is only apt that we do right by the people who bring so much color, life, and richness to our nation’s culture. Our grand encounter this year, as we call it, bears fruit only when we see our reading communities more deeply involved in nurturing our nation’s reading culture,” NBDB Readership Development Division Officer-in-Charge Daniel Mariano said.

    Addressing the country’s reading gaps  

    Spurred by the country’s reading gap, the conference urged participants to collaborate with fellow reading space advocates. Beyond a theoretical exercise, the three-day event featured a series of workshops which ranged from building sustainable community reading spaces to leveraging digital platforms for wider reach. The conference also highlighted Iloilo City’s reading community, with a full day of reading activities that took place at the NMP-Iloilo City and the Nabitasan Integrated School in Barangay La Paz.

    The Book Nook Project, one of the NBDB’s major projects under its Readership Development Division, was launched in 2021. It adheres to the belief that aklat para sa lahat (books for everyone) should be a basic human right. With over 100 Book Nook sites scattered across the country, the NBDB remains committed to fostering love of reading at a young age by making Filipino-published books more accessible and easily available to students and young readers.

    To learn more about the National Book Development Board and its upcoming activities, visit https://books.gov.ph, and follow the NBDB through its social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.

    Reference & Media Contact (Press Release – September 02, 2025):

    For media inquiries, please contact: 

    Divine Reyes Caraecle

    Communications & Promotions Section

    communications@books.gov.ph

    0917-1396394

    About the National Book Development Board 

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the book authority of the Philippines. The agency is at the forefront of developing the Philippine publishing industry and safeguarding the country’s vibrant culture of authorship and reading. To learn more, visit our social media pages (@nbdbphilippines).

  • NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 43RD NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS

    NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 43RD NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS

    MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Filipino Critics Circle (FCC) are now accepting nominations for the 43rd National Book Awards (NBA). 

    First administered by the Filipino Critics Circle or the FCC (formerly known as the Manila Critics Circle) in 1982, the NBA honors the most outstanding books written and published in the Philippines. In 2008, the FCC partnered with the NBDB to co-administer the awards.

    “The National Book Awards not only rightfully honor the best works produced by our country’s finest minds and talents, they also provide an occasion for us to take stock of the zeitgeist, our writers’ current preoccupations, and where our book industry is headed,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.

    The deadline for nominations is on September 7, 2025. To be eligible, authors and publishers should be NBDB-registered while their works must be published in 2024 and have significance, soundness of content, quality of craft, readability, grammar, copy editing, structure of thought and ideas, and style. 


    “The National Book Awards serve as official recognition of the quality and relevance of winning books, highlighting their contributions and relevance to the growth of Philippine literature, across multiple categories and genres. The NBA is important to us as Filipinos, as we recognize books that matter to us, as a people, while also serving as a portal of possibilities for readers outside of our country,” said FCC Chair Dean Francis Alfar.

    He added, “the roster of winners for any given cycle provides a curated list of the best contemporary writing, reflecting not just Filipino sensibilities, but also what concerns and hopes we have, seen through the lens of both fiction and nonfiction.”

    Books published for the first time by a Philippine publisher and works with local editions previously published by foreign authors are also eligible for the awards for as long as it has been locally published. 

    Under the literary division, books will be recognized in categories such as novel, short fiction, nonfiction prose, anthology, drama and film, literary criticism and cultural studies, literary history, media studies, poetry, graphic novel and comics, and translation. 

    Meanwhile, in the non-literary division, books will be awarded in fields of art, professions, social sciences, history, journalism, humor, sports, lifestyle, and business, food, science, spirituality and theology, and philosophy. 

    Every year, the NBA honors a different regional language. This year, it will be Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) and Kiniray-a. All books published in these languages within the last three years (2022-2024)  are eligible for the awards regardless of genre. 

    Finally, the Best Book Design award will be given to the work with the best overall design, which encompasses the cover, typeface, dimensions, layout, type of paper, binding, and printing. A Publisher of the Year award, or the publisher with the highest total number of winners in all categories, will also be given.

    “The Filipino Critics Circle and the National Book Development Board recognize the challenges of writing, editing, illustrating, translating, designing, and producing books. We encourage publishers of all stripes, as well as authors, to submit books for consideration. Being part of the list of finalists is an achievement in and of itself, bringing more awareness of your book to the reading public,” Alfar said.

    All nominations shall be submitted through the official online nomination form. Two printed copies of the book shall also be submitted together with one digitally non-editable watermarked PDF. For nominated titles under the Translation category, submissions must also include either one printed copy or one digitally non-editable watermarked PDF of the original work from which the translation originated. For complete submission guidelines, check out this link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1761KPKJ3H/ 

    The nominated books will undergo a round of deliberations from which no more than five titles will be chosen as finalists per category. The finalists will be required to submit an additional eight copies of their books to the NBDB; non-submission will mean disqualification from the selection. In the final deliberation, one winner will be picked from the finalists of each category. 

    The winner of each category, except the Publisher of the Year, will receive PHP 40,000.00. For inquiries, contact awards@books.gov.ph.

    Reference & Media Contact:

    For media inquiries, please contact: 

    Divine Reyes Caraecle

    Communications & Promotions Section

    communications@books.gov.ph

    0917-1396394

    About the National Book Development Board 

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the book authority of the Philippines. The agency is at the forefront of developing the Philippine publishing industry and safeguarding the country’s vibrant culture of authorship and reading. To learn more, visit our social media pages (@nbdbphilippines).

  • Multi-Awarded Writer Irene Sarmiento makes history as First Filipino Author at Germany’s White Ravens Festival

    Multi-Awarded Writer Irene Sarmiento makes history as First Filipino Author at Germany’s White Ravens Festival

    Press Release (August 14, 2025) – Irene Sarmiento, award-winning writer of children’s book Tabon Girl and young adult novel Stray Cats, is the first author from the Philippines to be invited to this year’s White Ravens Festival, held from July 13 to 17 at the Blutenberg Castle in Munich, Germany. 

    A native of Quezon City, she moved from the Philippines to Texas in 2011 and now works as a pediatric occupational therapist for children with special needs in northern Colorado. 

    In an interview with the National Book Development Board (NBDB), Sarmiento shared that “it was in college when I won my first Palanca [award] in the now defunct future fiction category and made me realize I have two lives [studying occupational therapy and writing]. But I never really questioned whether I should stop or keep writing.”

    She added, “As a writer, I recognize that in this unequal world, we who are marginalized have to assert our humanity, and this is my way of doing that. I am a Filipino writer talking to multiple cultures in my works. I am both a writer and a healthcare practitioner.” 

    The White Ravens Festival is dedicated to international literature for children and young adults, bringing together authors and illustrators from different parts of the world to read from their most recent works, lead writing workshops and other interactive events, and discuss their life and works. The festival has hosted various prominent authors such as Ingo Siegner from Germany, Micaela Chirif from Peru, Shaw Kuzki from Japan, Anete Melece from Latvia, Tuutikki Tolonen from Finland, MG Leonard from the United Kingdom, André Letria from Portugal, Yves Grevet from France, Jamshid Khanian from Iran, and Ondřej Buddeus from the Czech Republic, to name a few. 

    It is hosted by the International Youth Library (IJB) in Munich, Germany. 

    “The invitation was a huge surprise. It is important because it gave me the opportunity to tell them about the Philippines. It prompted the audience to know more about us [Filipinos]. It helped me to bring our works to the global stage,” Sarmiento said. 

    Aside from a radio interview, as part of the festival she attended eight interactive reading events across Germany with 10 different participating schools (and with 50 to 150 students in attendance each session) from July 13 to 17 this year. The event was under the patronage of the Bavarian State Minister for Science and the Arts, and featured renowned, multi-award-winning writers.

    Sarmiento’s works, often about children overcoming challenges, have received recognition from prestigious organizations such as The Palanca Memorial Foundation, the Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards, and Stories to Change the World. 

    “My family and I always love books and stories. When I was eight years old, I won a short story writing competition called Young Minds, and it was the first time that I got really published, which started me on that trajectory,” said Sarmiento. 

    Her novel, Stray Cats, was named one of the Kids’ Choice winners at the National Children’s Book Award in 2024. It tells the story of Elisa Paz, an eighth grader in search of her best friend.

    Her tips to aspiring Filipino writers? “You should speak in your own voice. Who knows? One of these days, someone might listen.” 

    Sarmiento’s participation in the festival coincides with the Philippines’ preparations as the Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair on October 15 to 19, 2025. 

    For media inquiries, please contact: 

    Divine Reyes Caraecle

    Communications & Promotions Section

    communications@books.gov.ph

    0917-1396394

    About the National Book Development Board 

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the book authority of the Philippines. The agency is at the forefront of developing the Philippine publishing industry and safeguarding the country’s vibrant culture of authorship and reading. To learn more, visit our social media pages (@nbdbphilippines).

  • WORKS OF LOCAL AUTHORS TO BE TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH UNDER THE NATIONAL BOOK DEVELOPMENT BOARD’S TRANSLATION SUBSIDY PROGRAM

    WORKS OF LOCAL AUTHORS TO BE TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH UNDER THE NATIONAL BOOK DEVELOPMENT BOARD’S TRANSLATION SUBSIDY PROGRAM

    QUEZON CITY, Philippines—The National Book Development Board (NBDB) has announced on August 7, 2025 of the 20 grantees selected for its Translation Subsidy Program (TSP) this year “for local authors who wish to have their works translated into a foreign language.”

    Out of 32 proposals submitted to the NBDB, 20 grantees were selected. Among them are mBayuka Tanu! Maguindanaon Bayuk Translation, Transcription, and Annotation Volume 2 by Mansoor Limba, Aswanglaut by Allan N. Derain, Mga Lumadnong Sugilanon nga Mahinuklogon by Karl M. Gaspar, Si Lola Basyang sa Entablado by Christine Bellen-Ang, Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, Samtoy: Mga Kwentong Ilokano (Bagong Edisyon) by Danilo B. Antalan, Noli S. Dumlao, Aileen R. Rambaud, Arnold Pascual, Jose Sherma E. Benosa, N.M.E. Valdez, Ariel Sotelo Tabág, Juan Al. Asuncion, Roy V. Aragon, Daniel L. Nesperos, Joel B. Manuel, Prodie Gar. Padios, Mighty C. Rasing, and Selected Poetry of Gualberto Cea Manlangit by Gualberto Cea Manlangit, to name a few.

    The 20 grantees’ works, which were written in Filipino, Ilokano, Maguindanaon, Bikolano, and Bisaya, cover multiple genres such as fiction, poetry, short stories and essays, comics, novel, among others, and will all be translated into English. The amount of the grant ranges from PHP 70,000 to PHP 200,000.

    “We want to promote the literary works of Filipino authors through the translation of local books written in Tagalog and other Philippine languages not just into Tagalog or English, but likewise in other languages around the world so they would be known internationally. We
    believe translation is key to achieve that goal,” explains Ma. Carolina Tapia, NBDB’s Chief of the Creative and Professional Development Division.

    Under the selection criteria established by the NBDB, grantees are chosen based on their relevance to the publishing sector and the reading public, significance in promoting knowledge on the diverse culture, events, and topics of the Philippines, and a production plan or marketing plan that is feasible and effective for local distribution and promotion efforts.

    The TSP offers financial support to encourage the translation, publication, and distribution of Philippine books in foreign markets in order to introduce more Filipino stories, voices, and perspectives to readers across the globe.

    Being selected as a translation grantee is a pivotal opportunity for Filipino writers. It means they will be provided with formal support for translation, visibility at major international book fairs, and an open door into the global literary marketplace. For local authors, it’s not just funding: it’s launching their work into dialogue with the world.

    The program also has a separate edition designed to entice foreign publishers to translate Philippine books into foreign languages, also through a subsidy. It is a vital element of the Philippines as Guest of Honour 2025 (PhlGoH2025) initiative, an interagency collaboration led
    by the NBDB, together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda. The event will be held in Frankfurt, Germany on October 15-19, 2025.

    Through the years, the NBDB’s Translation Subsidy Program has contributed to increasing the number of translated Philippine titles and opened different opportunities for Filipino authors. As the Philippines prepares to take center stage at “FBM,” the world’s largest book fair, the TSP underscores the country’s commitment to promoting Filipino literature, authorship, and publishing excellence on the global stage.

    It also reflects the NBDB’s strong commitment to empowering Filipino authors, fostering cultural exchange, and boosting the global presence of Philippine literature. By supporting the translation of Filipino books into foreign languages, the program brings Filipino voices and stories to a wider international audience—paving the way for richer cross-cultural
    understanding and meaningful global engagement as the country positions itself to become the content capital of Southeast Asia.

    “The NBDB believes that every translated book serves as a bridge between languages, cultures, and more importantly, people. The NBDB’s Translation Subsidy Program is not just about funding the translation of a book. It is a commitment to help fuel a movement that places Filipino stories where they belong: in conversation with the world,” NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade pointed out.
    For full details on the Translation Subsidy Program, send a message to grants@books.gov.ph.

    For media inquiries, please contact:
    Divine Reyes Caraecle
    Communications & Promotions Section
    communications@books.gov.ph
    0917-1396394

    About the National Book Development Board
    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the book authority of the Philippines. The agency is at the forefront of developing the Philippine publishing industry and safeguarding the country’s vibrant culture of authorship and reading. To learn more, visit our social media pages (@nbdbphilippines).

  • Philippine International Comics Festival 2025 at SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2

    Philippine International Comics Festival 2025 at SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2

    Readers, creators and attendees are thrilled in attending and to celebrate with the Philippine International Comics Festival (PICOF) 2025 from July 5 – 6, 2025 at SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2, Mandaluyong City.

    Sixteen (16) Things You Can Do at PICOF 2025

    1. Support over 200 indie comics creators launching over 100 new komiks!
    2. Check out the exhibits (Mars Ravelo: Tales from the Magic Makinilya; Enter the Mulberry Tree and Fly Free; Country of Highlight; PALESTINE & PICOF Official Selection).

    3. Learn from comics professionals from the Philippines and around the world at the comic masterclasses!

    4. Watch “Komiks With a K” by documentary film director/producer Jay Ignacio, National Book Award Winning Author For “Alandal.”

    5. Early birds get a FREE copy of the TUWA Comics anthology!

    6. Get your caricatures made at the Caricature Corner of the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas!

      7. Watch Komiks in the making at the Panels for Palestine live drawing corner!

      8. Support Komiket U’s Batch 10 graduates & others student orgs!

      9. Read your komiks haul at the lounge area of NBDB’s Book Bar!

      10. Discover comics from other countries with the international delegates!

        11. Learn the lost of art style of Filipino komiks at HAGOD: The Filipino School of Brush Illustrations for Komiks by Randy Valiente!

        12. Share the love for komiks by taking a photo of your #picofhaul at the photo booth!

        13. Get a limited edition KOMET art toy in the KOMET corner!

        14. Support Palestine! This year’s Country of Highlight is PALESTINE!

        15. Learn from ‘Itaewon Class’ creator Gwang Jin in his masterclass INK & INDUSTRY: Korean Webtoons and the Industry Landscape!

        16. Festival Programming

        What to look out for:

        1. COMICS MARKET–support over 200 Filipino comics creators and publishers and international guests releasing over 100 new komiks!
        2. COMICS EXHIBITS–a tribute to Filipino komiks master Mars Ravelo, the country of highlight, Palestine, and the PICOF Official Selection!
        3. COMICS MASTERCLASSES–the Cartooning Workshop with Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas, the Live Drawing session, “Komiks With a K” film screening and workshops with our international guests!
        4. FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING–on the stage we have Artist Battles, Panel by Panel Comics Readings, a Komiks Trivia Night–and much more surprises
        5. NBDB BOOK BAR–take a break and lounge in NBDB’s book bar, and take a photo of your #picofhaul at the photobooth

        There’s so much more to love at #picof2025. The PICOF 2025 TEAM are glad to have the diverse attendees to celebrate Filipino komiks amongst others of Festival of Delight!

        Reference & Media Contact:

        #PICOF2025 TEAM

      1. MERANAW IDENTITY AND HERITAGE AT THE HEART OF THE 1ST MARAWI CHILDREN’S BOOK FEST

        MARAWI CITY, LANAO DEL SUR – The National Book Development Board (NBDB), in partnership with Aklat Alamid, will host the first-ever Marawi Children’s Book Fest on June 27-29, 2025 at the Mindanao State University’s main campus. 

        The event aims to equip authors, illustrators, and publishers with the necessary skills and knowledge in producing children’s books, while highlighting Meranaw culture and traditions. 

        “There should be available quality and accessible Maranao books that represent who they are and the way they live. In the 2023 National Readership Survey results, there was a notable decline in reading non-school books, which was at 43% for children. Access to books emerged as the primary reason for the decline, with limited awareness of public libraries and constraints in time and distance,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.

        She added, “NBDB’s grant supports publishing stakeholders in enhancing their skills and knowledge through professional development events such as the Marawi Children’s Book Fest. We encourage other organizations to initiate events such as this.”

        In a list compiled by Aklat Alamid, only around 20 children’s books from different regions in the country feature Muslim stories from 1990 to 2012 but were mostly authored by non-Muslim Filipinos. The next year, 2013, marked a new milestone as the number of titles featuring Muslim stories increased to more than 100 titles by 2023.  With the implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education starting in the 2012-2013 school year, different mother tongues, including those spoken by Muslim Filipinos, were used in reading materials for early-grade level students. 

        “The seminar-workshop aims to orient the participants on the importance of books for Meranaw children and to guide the preselected authors and illustrators in the process of developing the picture books,” said M.J. Cagumbay Tumamac, popularly known as Xi Zuq to his readers, who is also the co-founder and administrative head of Aklat Alamid. 

        He added, “As part of a larger project, [we aim] to develop four picture books on Meranaw culture, created by Meranaw authors and illustrators, written in the Meranaw language, and for Meranaw readers.” 

        The festival takes on deeper significance in the context of post-siege Marawi, where the 2017 conflict left physical and emotional scars on the community. In the years since, educators, parents, and cultural advocates have underscored the role of storytelling in rebuilding Maranao identity and heritage, as well as promoting healing and fostering peace. 

        Meranaw Orthography, Storytelling Sessions, Bibliotherapy

        One of the main events at the workshop is a panel discussion titled Stories of Hope: Meranaw Voices from Marawi, which will present peacebuilding efforts in the community and share tools for education and empowerment with the participants. 

        Meanwhile, there will also be an expressive, interactive, and visual storytelling session on two culturally rich children’s books, Si Jalal Ago So Ranaw and Ranao Monster. These stories are rooted in Meranaw culture and the natural beauty of Lake Lanao, the largest lake in Mindanao. 

        The three-day event will also include discussions and workshops on the importance of Meranaw children’s books, Maranao orthography, children’s books illustration, and bibliotherapy. In a hybrid format, the book fest is expected to gather 150 participants including students, parents, teachers, authors, publishers, and novice illustrators. The speakers and facilitators are from the MSU-Main Campus, the City Schools Division of Marawi, Teach Peace Build Peace Movement Inc., and Aklat Alamid. 

        The event is in partnership with the university’s Meranaw Cultural Heritage Center, the City Schools Division of Marawi, and the Division of Lanao del Sur 1 under the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

        With the Marawi Children’s Book Fest, the NBDB and Aklat Alamid are working together to reclaim narrative spaces for a community whose stories deserve to be read, heard, and cherished. 

        Reference & Media Contact:

        Divine Reyes-Caraecle

        Chief, Communications & Promotions
        0917-1396394
        communications@books.gov.ph

      2. Rex Education Unveils New Book Titles, Organizes Fun Games and Activities at Philippine Book Festival 2025

        Rex Education Unveils New Book Titles, Organizes Fun Games and Activities at Philippine Book Festival 2025

        What a fiesta! Over 40,000 visitors captivated this year’s Philippine Book Festival (PBF) and energized the 4-day event at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. PBF 2025 was held recently and was powered by the National Book Development Board (NBDB).

        Rex Education the leading book publisher and education solutions provider in the Philippines, participated joyfully and showcased its latest titles by Filipino authors, including Filipiniana titles. REX’s main booth unveiled academic titles from basic, college, and law education, with every offering thoughtfully developed by various experts in the field.

        NBDB aptly chose the fiesta theme to make the event merry and fun-filled. Some of the country’s most famous celebrations, such as the Dinagyang Festival, were highlighted during the occasion. In keeping with the festive and celebratory mood, REX offered exclusive deals and big discounts and joined in the fun with exciting games and prizes.

        Moreover, REX held a stamp-collecting activity at its Lakbay Aklat booth to give guests an immersive experience. Those who completed the activity received prizes. Additionally, REX organized a Scavenger Hunt where the participants learned more about the company’s offerings while also exploring the event in a fun, engaging way. Those who joined the Scavenger Hunt also received prizes and tokens or REX keepsakes.

        What’s more, REX also brought out its Photoman to give guests and learners alike unique photo opportunities to celebrate their learning journey at PBF 2025. This was a great way to capture the event, preserved in a photograph. All these activities and more were a hit with PBF patrons.

        REX’s booths demonstrate the company’s commitment to authors, learners, and all book lovers, providing quality Filipino-made books, learning materials, and a dynamic platform for educators and publishing professionals. This year’s PBF, with its fiesta theme, striking and vibrant visuals, and interactive aspects, truly appealed to young children and the young-at-heart. It was a fusion of engaging, experience-based settings with entertainment, education, and shopping convenience.

        The Philippine Book Festival 2025, through NBDB, was also an excellent opportunity for the Department of Education (DepEd) and the country’s publishers to connect and strengthen year-long relationships, just as REX and DepEd did during the event. This collaboration enabled DepEd to make large-scale institutional purchases of various learning materials at competitive prices, with the goal of promoting the love of reading to Filipinos and help resolve issues of access and literacy.

        As NBDB and DepEd continue the ever-evolving and challenging task of uplifting education in the Philippines through fairs such as the Philippine Book Festival 2025, rest assured that Rex Education will remain a steadfast ally and will provide support in every way possible.

        Congratulations, PBF 2025!

        Reference & Media Contact:

        Richard C. Mamuyac