The Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2025, the country’s largest all-Filipino book event organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), concluded with record-breaking attendance and sales, drawing more than 40,000 visitors over four days at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall.
Now on its third year, the festival reaffirmed its role as the premier celebration of Filipino-authored books, publishers, and stories. The event featured thousands of titles, interactive exhibits, storytelling sessions, and workshops for aspiring authors and illustrators. This year’s edition also showcased four immersive realms inspired by local festivals—Dinagyang (Iloilo), Tuna Festival (General Santos), Panagbenga (Baguio), and Pahiyas (Lucban)—each brought to life by renowned children’s book artists Pepot Atienza, Juno Abreu, Paul Eric Roca, and Danielle Florendo.
“The energy from the crowd was electric from the very first day,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade. “It’s clear that Filipinos are hungry for their own stories, and PBF continues to be a powerful platform to celebrate that.”
Independent and established publishers alike reported significant gains. Indie publisher Kyra Ysabel sold over 150 copies across just two titles, while 19th Avenida, publisher of the Trese series, matched its 2024 PBF sales on just the first day of this year’s event. PaperKat Books, meanwhile, exceeded their sales target threefold, citing the venue’s accessibility and increased foot traffic as key factors.
₱3 Billion Book Procurement for Public Schools and Libraries
In a major milestone for education and publishing, the festival also saw the procurement of ₱3 billion worth of locally published books for nationwide distribution to public schools and libraries. With support from the NBDB’s newly launched “Book Counselors,” DepEd scopers were able to efficiently evaluate and select quality titles aligned with educational needs.
“With the help of NBDB’s book counselors, our DepEd partners were able to select titles that will truly enrich the learning experience of students across the country,” Aquino-Tugade added.
A Celebration of Filipino Stories and Creative Excellence
Launched in 2023, the Philippine Book Festival has quickly become a cornerstone of the NBDB’s efforts to promote a robust, inclusive, and future-ready local book industry. The 2025 edition not only elevated Filipino literary talent but also demonstrated the growing public support for homegrown stories and authors.
The NBDB extends its deepest gratitude to its partners, exhibitors, authors, and the thousands of readers who came to celebrate the power of Philippine literature.