MIBF 2026: Who to see and what to look forward to

Book lovers will have plenty to check out when the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) returns to the SMX Convention Center Manila from September 9 to 13.

Among the names readers can meet at this year’s fair is Kapuso journalist Howie Severino, who will hold a meet-and-greet hosted by the University of Santo Tomas, as he launches his book "People I Knew: And Some I Didn’t But Wrote About Them Anyway" at the fair.

With the theme "Get Lit: Reading in a New Light," MIBF will take over two floors of the SMX Convention Center for five days, bringing together local and international authors, artists, educators, and other creatives.

Here are some of the events to look forward to:

September 9 - Gintong Aklat Awards

MIBF 2026 opens on September 9 with the Gintong Aklat Awards, presented by the Book Development Association of the Philippines.

The awards ceremony will run from 4:30 to 8 p.m. and will recognize excellence in local book design, production, and literary quality.

September 10 - AI, reading, and travel

The second day of the fair will feature discussions on technology, reading, and travel.

The Philippine Association of Academic/Research Librarians will hold “Focus AI: Filipiniana Open Collections for Users and Scholars in the Age of AI” from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Meeting Room 8. The session will feature Lady Catherine R. De Leon.

Lampara Publishing House will also hold a seminar on using decodable comics to improve reading fluency from 2 to 4 p.m. at Meeting Room 9.

For those interested in balancing work and travel, travel blogger Kach Medina Umandap will launch “Career or Travel, Why Not Both?” at 6:30 p.m. at the ground floor Stage Area under Penguin Random House SEA.

September 11 - Howie Severino, comics, and Filipino food

One of the highlights of the fair comes on September 11, when Howie Severino meets readers at the University of Santo Tomas’ event from 4 to 5 p.m. at Function Room 1 Stage.

He will be launching his new book, “People I Knew: And Some I Didn’t But Wrote About Them Anyway.”

Comic book fans can also catch the “Masaya Magbasa ng Komiks!” panel by Komiket Studios at 4:30 p.m. at the stage area.

The discussion will feature artists Patti Ramos, Tristan Yuvienco, Vaughn Pinpin, Lucas Lacorte, and Carlorozy Clemente.

Earlier on September 11, Adarna House will present “Alamin, Alamin!: Masayang Pag-aaral ng Araling Panlipunan!” featuring Teacher Ani Almario from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Meeting Rooms 4 and 5.

Food historian Felice Prudente Sta. Maria will then launch La Cocina Filipina with Southern Voices Printing Press at 5:15 p.m. at the 2/F Function Room 1 Stage.

September 12 - Ben&Ben, manga, and The Beatles

Saturday’s lineup will bring together music, literature, and international art.

Ben&Ben members Miguel Benjamin G. Guico and Paolo Benjamin G. Guico will appear at 10 a.m. for the launch of The Traveller Across Dimensions with 8Letters Bookstore & Publishing.

At 12:30 p.m., Norwegian creator Malin Falch will join the Royal Norwegian Embassy for a live conversation titled “MANGA from the NORTH.”

Meanwhile, music fans can also learn more about The Beatles’ historic connection to the Philippines during “The Beatles in Manila,” a discussion that will take place at 4:30 p.m. at Function Room 1.

"The Beatles in Manila" will feature author David Guerrero and veteran broadcaster and musician Lourd de Veyra. It will be presented by Penguin Random House SEA.

September 13 - Romance and pop culture

MIBF’s final day will put contemporary romance and pop culture in the spotlight.

Penguin Random House SEA will present “The Next Love Story” at 12:30 p.m. at Function Room 1. The panel will feature authors Ines Bautista-Yao, Mica de Leon, Kyra Ysabel, and AK Tolentino.

This will be followed by a 1:45 p.m. panel on adapting Filipino books across different mediums.

Noel Ferrer will close out the scheduled stage events with the launch of his new book, Level Up, at 3 p.m. at the 2/F Function Room 1 Stage. The book is published by Milflores Publishing.

Teachers can enter for free

Teachers can attend MIBF for free admission throughout the five-day event as part of National Teachers Month, which carries the theme “My Teacher, My Hero.”

They only need to present a valid School ID at the counter. — Carby Basina/LA, GMA News