MANDALUYONG CITY — The National Book Development Board (NBDB) formally opened the fourth edition of the Philippine Book Festival 2026 on March 12 at the Megatrade Hall SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, kicking off a four-day celebration of Filipino books, stories, and the country’s vibrant publishing industry.
NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade led the opening ceremonies together with Education Secretary Ed “Sonny” Angara.
The event gathered publishers, authors, illustrators, educators, and readers from across the country. For the first time in the festival’s history, the opening day was fully open to the general public.
Aquino-Tugade said the festival highlights not only books but also the broader creative and cultural industries that support Filipino literature, including illustrators, designers, and visual artists who help shape how stories are presented to readers.
She emphasized that spaces like the Philippine Book Festival help nurture new readers and strengthen appreciation for locally produced literature.
The presence of Secretary Angara also underscored the festival’s role as a platform for education. The opening brought together DepEd book evaluators and “scopers” who reviewed locally produced titles that could be used as supplementary learning resources in public schools and libraries.
Four realms of Filipino literature
This year’s festival features four themed sections designed to highlight different aspects of Philippine literature and learning.
Aklat Aral showcases textbooks and educational materials used as learning tools.
Booktopia features a wide range of Filipino fiction and nonfiction titles.
Kid Lit offers interactive spaces for young readers.
Komiks celebrates the visual richness of Filipino comics and graphic storytelling.
The festival also brings together well-known personalities in Philippine literature and the arts. Among those participating are National Artists Ricky Lee and Virgilio Almario, historian Ambeth Ocampo, bestselling author Jonaxx, writer Ron Canimo, children’s literature advocates Eugene Evasco and Luis Gatmaitan, and komiks creators Manix Abrera and Pol Medina Jr..
Media company GMA Network and PaperKat Books are also launching the book Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre during the festival.
Celebrating literary heritage
In partnership with the National Library of the Philippines, the festival also features facsimiles of rare and historically significant works such as Noli Me Tangere and Doctrina Christiana, highlighting the country’s deep literary heritage.
Another major highlight is the 43rd National Book Awards (Philippines), scheduled on March 14 at the festival’s Fiesta Stage.
The awards recognize outstanding contributions by authors, illustrators, editors, translators, and publishers whose works have helped shape the Philippine literary landscape.
“Rainforest of Knowledge” theme
The 2026 festival carries the theme “Gubat ng Karunungan” or “Rainforest of Knowledge.” The visual concept, created by artist and designer Joffrey “Pepot” Atienza, follows two characters traveling through a lush rainforest filled with flora, fauna, and waterfalls.
Atienza, who draws inspiration from his life near Mount Banahaw in Lucban, Quezon, incorporated recycled paper into the artwork to symbolize the connection between nature and storytelling.
Strengthening the Philippine publishing industry
Aquino-Tugade said the festival aims to strengthen connections among publishers, educators, institutional buyers, and readers while expanding access to quality Filipino books.
“The Philippine Book Festival is positioned not only as a literary event but as a space that connects key players in the publishing and education sectors,” she said.
“Let’s make the Philippines not just a nation of readers, but a global powerhouse of authors and creators,” Aquino-Tugade added.
The Philippine Book Festival 2026 runs until March 14 at Megatrade Hall in Mandaluyong City.
