Country's biggest book festival back in March
THE country's largest all-Filipino book festival is set to return bigger and more vibrant than ever. Now in its third year, the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) will take place from March 13 to 16, 2025, at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. Organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the four-day festival promises an immersive literary experience filled with thousands of books, activities and a celebration of Philippine culture and heritage. PBF 2025 continues its mission to create a thriving marketplace for Philippine books, where families, educators, creatives, and book lovers can explore a vast selection of literature and educational materials. Since its inception in 2023, the festival has drawn over 75,000 visitors and generated more than P925 million in sales, proving its significance as a crucial platform for the country's publishing industry. NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade emphasized the festival's role in addressing the long-standing challenge of book accessibility in the Philippines. "The PBF is our love letter to the Philippine book industry — its writers, illustrators, publishers, and booksellers. More than a marketplace, it is a necessary intervention in the national conversation on readership and accessibility," Aquino-Tugade said during the media launch held on Wednesday in Makati City. This year, the PBF moves to the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, a strategic shift aimed at increasing accessibility and foot traffic. According to Aquino-Tugade, the venue's central location allows for easier public transport access, accommodating visitors from different parts of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. She expressed optimism that this move would attract a larger audience and provide a more convenient experience for attendees. The PBF 2025 embraces a new festival-inspired theme, paying tribute to iconic Filipino celebrations. Visitors will experience four distinct thematic realms, each designed by renowned Filipino artists: – Kid Lit (Dinagyang Festival, designed by Juno Abreu) — A space for children's books and young adult literature. – Komiks (Tuna Festival, designed by Paul Eric Roca) — A showcase of the rich tradition of Filipino comics. – Booktopia (Panagbënga Festival, designed by Danielle Florendo) — Featuring a diverse collection of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. – Aral Aklat (Pahiyas Festival, designed by Pepot Atienza) — Dedicated to textbooks and educational materials. Beyond the books, the festival will feature live murals, film screenings, poetry slam contests, book signings, and writing workshops. Notable authors such as Ricky Lee, Manix Abrera and Ambeth Ocampo will also be present for meet-and-greet sessions and book discussions. Aquino-Tugade said the PBF is not just a celebration but also a strategic effort to address the country's reading crisis.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
THE country's largest all-Filipino book festival is set to return bigger and more vibrant than ever.
Now in its third year, the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) will take place from March 13 to 16, 2025, at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.
Organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the four-day festival promises an immersive literary experience filled with thousands of books, activities and a celebration of Philippine culture and heritage.
PBF 2025 continues its mission to create a thriving marketplace for Philippine books, where families, educators, creatives, and book lovers can explore a vast selection of literature and educational materials.
Since its inception in 2023, the festival has drawn over 75,000 visitors and generated more than P925 million in sales, proving its significance as a crucial platform for the country's publishing industry.
NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade emphasized the festival's role in addressing the long-standing challenge of book accessibility in the Philippines.
"The PBF is our love letter to the Philippine book industry — its writers, illustrators, publishers, and booksellers. More than a marketplace, it is a necessary intervention in the national conversation on readership and accessibility," Aquino-Tugade said during the media launch held on Wednesday in Makati City.
This year, the PBF moves to the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, a strategic shift aimed at increasing accessibility and foot traffic.
According to Aquino-Tugade, the venue's central location allows for easier public transport access, accommodating visitors from different parts of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.
She expressed optimism that this move would attract a larger audience and provide a more convenient experience for attendees.
The PBF 2025 embraces a new festival-inspired theme, paying tribute to iconic Filipino celebrations.
Visitors will experience four distinct thematic realms, each designed by renowned Filipino artists:
– Kid Lit (Dinagyang Festival, designed by Juno Abreu) — A space for children's books and young adult literature.
– Komiks (Tuna Festival, designed by Paul Eric Roca) — A showcase of the rich tradition of Filipino comics.
– Booktopia (Panagbënga Festival, designed by Danielle Florendo) — Featuring a diverse collection of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
– Aral Aklat (Pahiyas Festival, designed by Pepot Atienza) — Dedicated to textbooks and educational materials.
Beyond the books, the festival will feature live murals, film screenings, poetry slam contests, book signings, and writing workshops. Notable authors such as Ricky Lee, Manix Abrera and Ambeth Ocampo will also be present for meet-and-greet sessions and book discussions.
Aquino-Tugade said the PBF is not just a celebration but also a strategic effort to address the country's reading crisis.
