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  • PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL 2026 Strengthens its Commitment to the Growth of Local Publishing

    PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL 2026 Strengthens its Commitment to the Growth of Local Publishing

    During the 2026 Philippine Book Festival Media Launch that was held on February 26, 2026, the National Book Development Board (NBDB)has announced the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2026 – the country’s only book festival dedicated exclusively to Filipino-authored and published works.

    The NBDB is all set for the 4th Philippine Book Festival (PBF)— the country’s only marketplace dedicated exclusively to all-Filipino books and published works, and a shared third place for publishers, writers, illustrators, readers, educators, and industry stakeholders.

    The festival runs from March 12 to 15, 2026 at the Megatrade Hall, 5th Floor, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

    CHARISSE AQUINO-TUGADE is the Executive Director of the National Book Development Board (NBDB), a cultural worker, the primary mover behind CulturAid, the founder of The Manila Collectible Co., and the founding Director of Museo ng Muntinlupa.
    With interdisciplinary experience spanning the public and private sectors, she creates an environment that empowers and amplifies voices, connecting communities and organizations that might otherwise not cross paths. As the NBDB Executive Director, she envisioned and spearheaded The Book Nook, storytelling and reading communities that provide Pinoy books for kids and kids-at-heart from Ifugao to Tawi-Tawi, as well as the Philippine Book Festival, the country’s premier all-Filipino book fair.

    “With the continued interest we saw in the last few years, we are encouraged by the growing appreciation for Filipino stories and content,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.

    “The strong public response affirms that there is a meaningful demand for books that reflect our own culture, languages, and lived experiences.”

    Building on that momentum, the NBDB sees PBF 2026 as an opportunity not only to expand visitor turnout and exhibitor participation but also to strengthen access to locally produced books and learning materials. In a milestone for the festival, Day 1 (March 12) will be open to the general public for the first time, welcoming all readers alongside the Department of Education (DepEd) and its book
    evaluators from across the country.

    Four Realms, One Rainforest

    PBF 2026 reimagines its four signature realms within a rainforest-inspired setting. Aral Aklat highlights books as tools for learning and discovery, featuring textbooks and teaching guides. Booktopia invites visitors to explore the breadth of Filipino fiction and nonfiction. Kid Lit nurtures early readers through interactive, child-friendly experiences. Komiks celebrates the visual richness of Filipino comics and graphic storytelling.

    This year’s lineup brings together the full spectrum of Philippine literary life. National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, and prominent historian Ambeth Ocampo will be on hand for book signings alongside trade-book superstars Jonaxx and Ron Canimo, kidlit masters Eugene Evasco and Luis Gatmaitan, and komiks legends Manix Abrera and Pol Medina. GMA Network, together with PaperKat Books, will also launch “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre” at PBF 2026.

    Beyond the realms, the festival offers a range of spaces for connection: Lugar Lagdaan for book signings and reader-author meetups; Bahay Ilustrador for a look into the world of visual storytellers; Gubat ng Karunungan for workshops, talks, and masterclasses; the Fiesta Stage for major programming and performances; and Umpukan for informal community conversations.

    The NBDB, in cooperation with the National Library of the Philippines, will also feature facsimiles of Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, Doctrina Christiana, and Fr. Manuel Blanco’s Flora de Filipinas—rare works
    that anchor the festival in the Philippines’ deep literary heritage.

    A highlight of the four-day run is the 43rd National Book Awards (NBA), to be held on March 14, 2026 at the Fiesta Stage. The NBA acknowledges the works of authors, illustrators, editors, translators, and publishers whose books have helped shape the country’s literary landscape.

    Into the Gubat ng Karunungan

    This year’s festival 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 wove 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,” he said.

    A Festival Dedicated to Philippine Literature

    “The Philippine Book Festival is positioned not only as a literary event but also as a third place that connects key players in the publishing and education sectors,” Aquino-Tugade said. “By convening publishers, institutional buyers, educators, and readers in a single venue, the festival supports broader efforts to improve access to quality Philippine books and sustain the local publishing industry.”

    “Let’s make the Philippines not just a nation of readers, but a global powerhouse of authors and creators,” Aquino-Tugade concluded.

    About the National Book Development Board

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the Philippines’ book authority mandated to develop and strengthen the local book publishing industry. It works to expand access to quality Philippine
    books, promote a culture of reading, and support the growth of local publishing, while ensuring that Filipino authorship and literary production remain visible, competitive, and sustainable in both
    national and international contexts.

    Follow @nbdbphilippines (Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok) or visit books.gov.ph to learn more.

    REFERENCE:

    NBDB Communications

    #PhilippineBookFestival #PBF2026 #MagbasaTayo #AklatParaSaLahat #NBDB

  • New Location, More Books—See What’s In Store At The PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL 2025

    New Location, More Books—See What’s In Store At The PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL 2025

    The Philippine Book Festival (PBF), the country’s largest all-Filipino book festival, is back—this time at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, from March 13-16, 2025.

    The free four-day festival by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) puts Philippine books at the center of a fiesta brimming with events, performances, and meet-and-greet sessions with authors.

    A Fiesta of Filipino Culture through Literature

    The PBF 2025 promises to be more festive, putting the spotlight on the country’s famous festivals, each one designed by some of the best Filipino artists working today.

    The first is the glorious Dinagyang Festival for Kid Lit (the PBF’s section dedicated to children’s literature), designed by Juno Abreu, and the Komiks realm inspired by the famous Tuna festival in General Santos City, with design by illustrator and painter Paul Eric Roca. Aral Aklat, the section dedicated to textbooks, draws inspiration from the colorful Pahiyas Festival in Quezon courtesy of Joffrey “Pepot” Atienza, himself a native of the province, and finally, Panagbënga or the Baguio Flower Festival for Booktopia (the section for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry), with design by Danielle Florendo.

    A design highlight is the Pakyawan Plaza, the festival’s centerpiece which has become a crowd favorite. The intricately designed Pahiyas Festival-themed activation space features a large bahay kubo, inside which fairgoers can browse collections of children’s books.

    A New Location for a More Accessible Experience

    The festive atmosphere is made all the more exciting as the PBF 2025 moves to a new venue—at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall. The NBDB believes this fresh location has brought new energy to the festival and can draw an even larger audience.

    For one, the new PBF site is strategically located in a mall at the heart of Metro Manila, making it easily accessible. Visitors can reach it via the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 and the EDSA Busway, providing convenient transport for those coming from surrounding areas like Caloocan City, Quezon City, Makati City, Taguig City, and even from those on the eastern side such as Cainta, Taytay, and the cities of Antipolo, Pasig, and of course, Mandaluyong.

    “The decision to move the PBF to a different and smaller venue is definitely a bold one. We hope to offset that with the venue’s accessibility and generate higher foot traffic, as well as provide convenience for more visitors from other areas,” explained NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.

    Strides Toward Addressing Systemic Gaps

    Led by Aquino-Tugade and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, the PBF has achieved a groundbreaking milestone—procuring over PHP 925 million worth of Philippine trade books and textbooks.

    Through the PBF, the NBDB, an attached agency of the DepEd, provides space for DepEd’s regional and district offices to purchase quality books and engage with fellow educators and professionals from the book publishing industry. The large-scale institutional purchase by DepEd addresses the issues of access and readership, bringing books to thousands of readers all over the Philippines.

    “The PBF is our love letter to Philippine books—its creators and its readers, and the many stories they have told about our people. It’s also our response to our country’s reading crisis, which is largely a problem of access. The PBF creates that marketplace for quality Filipino titles, and serves as a bridge between those books and readers across the country,” Aquino-Tugade said.

    “We have a large role to play in not just growing the book industry but in shaping the environments that make reading possible for all sectors of the population. The NBDB and its partners will continue to work against lack of access by saturating the market and our schools with quality Philippine-authored and published books,” Aquino-Tugade concluded.

    For media inquiries, please contact:
    Divine Reyes-Caraecle, Chief of Communications & Promotions
    09171396394
    news@books.gov.ph

    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).

    PRESS RELEASE
    National Book Development Board
    March 2025

  • Philippine Book Festival 2025: BIGGER, BETTER, IN A NEW LOCATION

    Philippine Book Festival 2025: BIGGER, BETTER, IN A NEW LOCATION

    Join the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2025: Bigger, Better & New Location.

    MAKATI, PHILIPPINES – The Philippine Book Festival (PBF), the country’s biggest all-Filipino book festival is back – this time in a new location that is accessible to many. This year’s PBF will be happening at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong, City, from March 13 – 16, 2025.

    Registration is FREE for the four-day book festival, organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB). Every year, this project puts Philippine Books at the center if a fiesta brimming with events, performances, and meet-and-greet sessions with your favorite authors.

    “In just over a month, we are bringing back the Philippine Book Festival. Now in its third year, the PBF started in 2023 as an attempt to create the largest marketplace for Philippine books that the country has yet to see. Now, it has become an important annual gathering for families, educators, creatives, and avid readers – all in the name of Philippine books.” said Charisse Aquino – Tugade, NBDB Executive Director.

    The PBF’s third edition promises to be more exciting, putting the spotlight on the country’s famnous festivals, each one designed by some of the best and brightest Filipino artists working today.

    THE CREATIVE MINDS BEHIND THE PBF 2025 REALMS. NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade with National Artist and Scriptwriter Ricky Lee together with the artists of PBF 2025 Realms, Paul Eric Roca, Danielle Florendo, Joffrey “Pepot”Atienza and Juno Abreau.

    The first is the glorious Dinagyang Festival for Kid Lit (the PBF’s section dedicated to children’s literature), designed by Juno Abreau, and the Komiks realm inspired by the famous Tuna Festival in General Santos City, with design by illustrator and painter Paul Eric Roca. Aral Aklat, the section dedicated to text \books, draws inspiration from the colorful Pahiyas Festival in Quezon courtesy of Joffrey “Pepot” Atienza, himself a native of the province, and finally, Panagbenga or the Baguio Flower Festival for Booktopia (the section for fiction, non-fiction and poetry), with design by Danielle Florendo.

    The festive atmosphere is made all the more exciting as the PBF 2025 moves to a new venue – at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall. The NBDB believes this fresh location will bring new energy to the festival and draw and even larger audience.

    “The decision to move the PBF to a different and smaller venue is definitely a bold one. We hope to offset that with the venue’s accessibility and generate higher foot traffic, as well as provide convenience for more visitors from other areas” shared Tugade.

    The PBF is the largest all-Filipino book fair in the country and is one of the NBDB’s flagship programs. NBDB, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this June has amped its readership efforts in the past four years, shifting to solutions-based programming to improve trade and distribution. Concerned with the lack of quality Philippine-authored books in libraries and bookstores across the country, Aguino-Tugade spearheaded the PBF in 2023, a retail activation space that celebrates Philippine books while bringing in revenue for publishing professionals.

    The fair also showcases the creme dela creme of Philippine literature, culture, and content – all situated in an engaging, experienced-based setting that fuses entertainment, education, and learning. Positioning PBF as a favorite pastime (reading) among Filipinos, all for a good cause.

    For complete details, visit the official FaceBook page of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) https://www.facebook.com/NBDBPhilippines

  • In light of the reading crisis, NBDB introduces national reading alliance

    In light of the reading crisis, NBDB introduces national reading alliance

    PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA (May 02, 2024) — As part of its ongoing efforts to boost readership given declining reading scores, the National Book Development Board (NBDB) has formed the National Alliance of Reading Advocates (NARA), a network that gathers readership advocacy groups and individuals from all over the country to form a unified network that will enable collaboration and better spread the news on existing readership initiatives. 

    In anticipation of its official launch this November, the alliance had its soft launch last April 26, 2024 at the main stage of the Philippine Book Festival at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, where reading advocacy groups and individuals pledged their commitment to the alliance.

    As a platform dedicated to nurturing a robust national reading culture, the NARA shall form a mesh of various readership campaigns through an online community (called NARA Connect) and regular milestone meetings and conferences on the state of readership in the country. Besides consolidating readership campaigns from around the country, the alliance shall also aid in the cross-media adaptation of Philippine literary works, the creation of fan-based markets, and help popularize home-grown literary characters.

    Daniel Mariano

    “With the decline of readership in non-school books, it is high time for the NBDB to gather all advocates and like-minded people who promote readership in the country. We at the NBDB dream of a community of reading advocates who support each other,” said Daniel Mariano, chief of the Board’s Readership Development Division (the agency’s unit responsible for the nationwide reading community, the Book Nook project).

    “Many Filipinos love stories—be it in the form of film, TV, or literature. As reading advocates, we call on all our allies to enrich this interest in stories and use it to create a stronger national reading culture,” added Mariano.


    As the largest traveling book fair in the country, the PBF was the perfect venue to introduce to the public the NBDB’s latest readership campaign. 

    NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade

    “There is a reading crisis—and it is high time that we all start working together to address it. We have a systemic problem when it comes to building and nurturing reading habits in our society, and so we must therefore face this with a cohesive strategy,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse, who delivered the State of the Reading Nation during the soft launch.

    The NARA soft launch also served as the alliance’s first wide-scale orientation, which was attended by representatives from the following organizations: UN SDSN Youth Philippines, ASEAN Youth Organization, READ to Achieve Foundation Philippines, Inc., Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, Binhi English Literacy Foundation, Magbasa Tayo Movement, AHA! Learning Center, The Storytelling Project, Libro Mo, Kaalam Ko project, Project Pearls Inc., School Readers Club, Pinoy Reading Buddies, IBBY Philippines, Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities, Association of Progressive and Orthodox Literature and Literature Originators, Laguna Province Private Schools and Administrators Association, Inc., Rizal Library of Ateneo De Manila University, St. Mary’s Publishing Corporation, Claretian Communication Foundations, Inc., Inteligente Publishing, Paper Katz, FDM Vision Care Research and Training Institute, Beyond Books Publication, 8 Letters Bookstore and Publishing, DIWA Learning Systems, Inc.

    Reference & Media Contact:

    NBDB Communications & Promotions

  • NBDB’s PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL: The Grandest PBF this Year 2024

    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.

  • Read Along with the Cast of Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre in the Philippine Book Festival 2024

    Who else were thrilled or excited about the Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre in the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2024 (PBF Special) at the Main Stage of World Trade Center Metro Manila on April 25, 2024?

    The main cast of Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre (Faith Da Silva, Kelvin Miranda, Angel Guardian, and Bianca Umali) has stories to tell about their characters of their kingdoms in Encantadia. They shared stories about their four kingdoms in the realm of 𝙀𝙣𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙖 through book reading as their listeners were thrilled and enjoyed listening to them, too.

    For me, listening to 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗮 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗮 (𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢), 𝗞𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 (𝘈𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘶𝘴), 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹 𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶́𝗮𝗻 (𝘋𝘦𝘪𝘢), and 𝗕𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗮 𝗨𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶 (𝘛𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘢) of Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre in the PBF 2024 at the Main Stage of World Trade Center Metro Manila is a great experience and intrigue of the GMA Prime Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre.

  • PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL (PBF) 2024 Grand Opening: NBDB opens PBF 2024 from April 25 to 28, 2024 at World Trade Center Metro Manila

    PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL (PBF) 2024 Grand Opening: NBDB opens PBF 2024 from April 25 to 28, 2024 at World Trade Center Metro Manila

    On the 25th day of April 2024, the National Book Development Board (NBDB), a government agency of the Philippines in charge of the book publishing sector and the promotion of readership has launched the Grand Opening of Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2024 at World Trade Center Metro Manila.

    The PBF is the first and largest traveling book festival in the country, promoting the best Philippine books and educational materials. It is not your traditional book fair—guests can enjoy educational exhibitions and informative workshops, meet their favorite authors, and purchase quality Pinoy books.

    PBF 2024 is open from 8AM to 8PM from April 25 to 28, 2024 for free entrance and accepting walk-ins to join the diverse book fair in Metro Manila. It’s Not Just a Book Fair, It’s a Book Experience for all who travels from the diverse cities and communities locally and abroad to enjoy education exhibitions, informative workshops and invest quality books of diverse authors of the PBF 2024. Besides, guests can also meet their favorite authors and artists during the launch of their newest books and upcoming tv shows for the excitement of their readers and viewers in the community.

    Philippine Book Festival…

  • The National Book Development Board’s Philippine Book Festival Is Back: Join the Grandest Philippine Book Festival 2024 on April 25 – 28, 2024 at World Trade Center Pasay, Metro Manila

    The National Book Development Board’s Philippine Book Festival Is Back: Join the Grandest Philippine Book Festival 2024 on April 25 – 28, 2024 at World Trade Center Pasay, Metro Manila

    The National Book Development Board, an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Education formed through Republic Act No. 8047, cordially invites you to join Philippine Book Festival (PBH) 2024 on April 25 – 28, 2024 at World Trade Center Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines to experience the essence of investing and supporting the books of the authors, publishers and artists related to the culture, literature, history and arts of the Philippines for all the readers of the generations to this day and beyond.

    For me, the PBH 2024 is a book experience and art of investing books for all the readers that starts in our family and next to schools, offices & other organization in the community, especially those who need books as part of their lifestyle and as references to Philippines literature, art, education and culture.

    Why you should join the Philippine Book Festival 2024? The PBF is the first and largest traveling book festival in the country, promoting the best Philippine books and educational materials. The attendees or guests can enjoy educational exhibitions and informative workshops, meet their favorite authors, artists, publishers and purchase quality Pinoy books.

    On April 25, 2024 (Day 1), the activities for the main stage are as follows: SIMULA: A Celebratory Ritual; The UST Publishing House Presents: SINAG 2024; Balagtasan by NCCA x PCEP; Read Along with the Cast of Encantadia: Faith Da Silva (Flamarra), Kelvin Miranda (Adamus), Angel Guardia (Deia), and Bianca Umali (Terra); Translation Matters! with Evelyn Caldera Soriano, Gene Alcantara, and Kristian Cordero; and A Toast to Books: Industry Reception.

    On April 26, 2024 (Day 2), the program for the main stage are the following: Kumustahan with DepEd; Creating for Young People with Disabilities; Turning Clicks to Reads: A Roundtable Discussion with Jerico Silvers; Mama Meme Reads with Meryll Soriano Featured Book: Ang mga Alitaptap ng Pulang Buhangin by R. H. Quilantang; Si Gren, Ang Kaibigan Kong Alien: A Book Launch with Marian Rivera, Gabby Concepcion, and Raphael Landicho; Performance by Bry Cimafranca of NCCA x PCEP; Dahling Nick: Tribute; Ballet Manila “Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang”; Trip to Quiapo: In conversion with Ricky Lee; Scrubs & Scribbles: The Double Lives of Doctor-Authors with Dr. Joti Tabula, Dr. Will Laingco,Dr. Alice Sun-Cua, and Dr. Angeli Dumatol; and Finding Your Readig Allies: The Book Nook Present NARA.

    On April 27, 2024 (Day 3), you may consider the main stage’s activites as follows: The Usual Suspects: Let’s Talk About Crime Fiction; Performance by Lakbai Guitar Due of NCCA x PCEP; PaperKat: Pitching Works to Filmmakers; Ambeth Ocampo Without the Overcoat; Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas; Firefly Book Signing; Meet Morena Book Reading Event with Ayn Bernos; and Poetry Slam! Book Development Association of the Philippines.

    Finally, on April 28, 2024 (Day 4), the program for main stage are as follows: Reading the Readers: Education and the Power of Reading by National Committee on Literary Arts; Ang Suklam sa Ating Nanagnas na Balat by Ronaldo Vivo, a Book Launch; A Day with Gwy Saludes; Explore and Eat your History with Clang Garcia, Claude Tayag, Ige Ramos, and RG Enriquez-Diaz; Cosplay Filipiniana! Philippine Literary Characters Cosplay Competition; A Beautiful Day (Inkspiration: A Decade of Life is Beautiful Stories); and PANITIKolab The Joys of Reading: Ba’t kami nagbabasa?

    In this digital age, the creation of digital books are already accessible to the internet for reading, but I think and believe that we should still consider the value and essence of having books for own reading just like how our ancestors had read books during their times, that is applicable to these days and beyond.

    Join now the grandest Philippine Book Festival 2024!