The National Book Development Board (NBDB), the country’s leading book authority, envisions the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) as a thriving marketplace for Filipino-authored books.
“We created a marketplace for Philippine books because they’re not always easy for Filipinos to access,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade. “We sat down with the Department of Education (DepEd) to address this problem, and now we have the PBF—not just a marketplace for Filipino books but also a venue where DepEd can procure quality educational materials for schools nationwide.”
The Philippine Book Festival 2025 will take place from March 13 to 16 at the Megatrade Hall, 5th floor, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.
Transforming DepEd’s Procurement Strategy
Aquino-Tugade shared that NBDB collaborated with Atty. Aris Cawilan, head of DepEd’s Bureau of Learning Resources (BLR), along with other DepEd officials, to shift procurement policies in favor of Filipino-authored books.
“For the first edition of the PBF, DepEd conducted a scoping process—a comparative analysis of pricing, quality, and other key factors across different marketplaces,” she explained.
Since then, the impact has been significant. After the festival’s first run, DepEd purchased ₱925 million worth of Filipino-authored books, ensuring that these titles will now reach schools across all regions.
This year, with the PBF firmly established as a procurement hub, DepEd, under Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara, has allocated ₱2.4 billion to purchase even more Filipino books. “We’re excited to continue working with DepEd, knowing they’re prioritizing Filipino-authored titles in this marketplace we created,” Aquino-Tugade said.
The PBF as a “Third Place”
Beyond being a marketplace, the PBF 2025 aims to serve as a “third place”—a space outside home and work where people can gather, connect, and immerse themselves in books.
“A book is a knowledge product, but for younger generations to embrace it, it has to be cool enough,” Aquino-Tugade explained. “That’s why the PBF is not just about selling books—it’s a place where people can experience the joy of reading beyond the classroom.”
This year’s festival will feature:
✔ Storytelling sessions for kids
✔ Drawing workshops for aspiring komikeros
✔ Discussions on queer literature, an increasingly recognized and fast-growing genre
✔ Engaging activities for families and book lovers of all ages
A National Artist’s Gratitude
National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee reflected on the challenges faced by Filipino-authored books, which are often relegated to hidden corners of bookstores, overshadowed by foreign titles.
“Even my books are sometimes covered by maps or tucked away at the bottom of shelves,” he lamented in Filipino.
Drawing a comparison to the film industry, Lee likened local authors to bit players—often unnoticed, standing in the background. But through the Philippine Book Festival, that’s changing.
“I want to thank NBDB because, through the PBF, Filipino authors are no longer ‘extras’ but the stars of the show—even if just for four days a year,” Lee said, his voice filled with emotion.
He also highlighted the festival’s unique ability to connect Filipino authors directly with their readers—a rare opportunity typically reserved for international authors. “NBDB is doing everything to show the world that Filipino writers are outstanding and exceptional,” the award-winning author and screenwriter added.
The Magic of the PBF
Aquino-Tugade emphasized that PBF is more than just a book fair—it’s a place where authors and readers can meet, where programs celebrate literature, and where the love for Philippine books is truly felt.
Her advice for festival-goers?
✔ Bring a tote bag—there will be plenty of books to buy (with discounts!).
✔ Bring a pen—you might run into your favorite authors and get your books signed.
✔ Wear good shoes—you’ll have a lot of ground to cover!
With Filipino books taking center stage, the Philippine Book Festival 2025 promises to be a must-visit event for book lovers. See you there!