PH book festival draws record 40,000 visitors

PBF hosted several book launches including the one for “Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug” by Nelson Canlas, Dr. Maria Isabel Cabel Moreno-Go and Danielle Florendo, published by PaperKat Books. It is the first ever children’s book about Tausug cuisine.

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) said the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2025, the country’s largest all-Filipino book festival, concluded on a high note amid a highly festive atmosphere.

The four-day event attracted more than 40,000 visitors, further reaffirming its status as the country’s premier celebration focused solely on Filipino books, authors, and publishers.

The NBDB, which founded the PBF in 2023, held the event at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. Authors, publishers, educators, and readers gathered in an unprecedented show of support for Philippine literature.

The artists behind this year’s Philippine Book Festival: Pepot Atienza, NBDB industry development officer Virgie Nicodemus, Juno Abreu, Danielle Florendo, NBDB executive director Charisse Aquino Tugade, who led the creative direction for the festival, Paul Eric Roca, and Mavs Soriano.

Festival-goers browsed the thousands of books for sale, and participated in the various exhibits, storytelling sessions, and even workshops for aspiring authors and illustrators. Visitors were in awe of the marvelous Pakyawan Plaza with the intricately designed Pahiyas-inspired bahay kubo.

Other realms highlighted popular festivals, designed by renowned children’s book artists Pepot Atienza, Juno Abreu, Paul Eric Roca, and Danielle Florendo, respectively.

Gracing the festival’s grand opening ceremony with NBDB executive director Charisse Aquino Tugade are NBDB acting chair and DepEd Undersecretary and chief of staff Fatima Lipp. D. Panontongan (center) and National Museum of the Philippines deputy director general Jorell Legaspi.

One author said the attention they received at the PBF 2025 was something that many other authors could only dream of. Seeing the long lines of visitors eager to have their copy of the book signed by their favorite author was truly a sight to behold. He said that seeing readers connect so deeply with their work was both humbling and inspiring.

For publishers, the agency’s support translated into heightened visibility and record-breaking engagement. “As a solo exhibitor and an indie publisher with only two books out, I sold about 150 copies in four days. It wouldn’t have been possible without this platform,” said Kyra Ysabel.

Nida Ramirez of 19th Avenida Publishing House, the publisher behind the best-selling “Trese” series, said, “We’re very happy … Our sales last year from the entire 2024 PBF was our sale for just Day 1 this year.”

Another exhibitor, PaperKat Books’ head of publishing Kath Eustaquio-Derla, said that they were able to exceed their target sales three times, adding that the new venue likely helped draw more visitors: “The natural foot traffic and the easy access to public transportation helped in getting more people to come in and check out the event.”

One of the festival’s most impactful outcomes was the landmark P3-billion worth of books procured for distribution to public schools and libraries nationwide—an investment that will empower millions of Filipino students with access to homegrown literature and learning materials.

“With the help of NBDB’s book counselors, the scoping process of our partners from DepEd was more seamless and insightful than ever before,” said NBDB executive director Charisse Aquino Tugade. “They were able to select books that will truly enrich the learning experience of students across the country.”