Philippine Book Festival 2025: Here's everything you need to know

The Philippine Book Festival (PBF) returning in March, and it is proving to be an exciting one.

The country’s largest all-Filipino book festival by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), highlights Philippine books at the fiesta-inspired event, with shopping, performances, contests, activities, and author meet-and-greets.

Here is what to expect at this year’s PBF.

1. When, where, and how much

PBF will be held from March 13 (Thursday) to March 16 (Sunday) at its new venue, the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. The venue was changed to reach a wider audience due to the mall’s accessibility.

The fair will follow the theme of Filipino festivals, which is evident in the key visuals and colors of the event.

The PBF will return with the four areas, or realms, it has been known for.

Kid Lit (inspired by the Dinagyang Festival, and designed by Juno Abreu) is an engaging space designed to immerse young readers in the magic of children's literature. This area is devoted to picture books, chapter books, and young adult novels.

Komiks (inspired by the Tuna Festival, and designed by Paul Eric Roca) showcases the unique world of Filipino comics, celebrating the rich tradition and evolution of Philippine graphic storytelling.

Booktopia (inspired by the Panagbenga Festival, and designed by Danielle Florendo) is a diverse collection that spans fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and more. It caters to various literary tastes, offering a rich set of universal and uniquely Filipino stories.

Aral Aklat (inspired by the Pahiyas Festival, and designed by Pepot Atienza) is a space focused on educational materials, from textbooks to teachers’ manuals. This realm underscores the PBF’s commitment to supporting learning.

The best part? Admission to the fair is free, so you can focus on spending your hard-earned money on Filipino books, art, and even stationery materials.

2. Highlighting Filipino talent

The PBF is worth paying a visit, take it from Ricky Lee himself.

The National Artist of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts gave a message at the PBF media launch in Makati City on Wednesday.

Ricky said that most, if not all, bookstores in the Philippines highlight foreign authors, with Philippine works displayed in small, hidden areas.

“Medyo nakakadismaya,” he said.

“One time, hinanap ko ‘yung scriptwriting manual ko na ‘Trip to Quiapo,’ nakita ko kasama ng mga map of the Philippines sa bookstore. And that happened more than once,” he added. “Kaya minsan ginagawa namin ng assistant ko, ‘pag pumupunta kami sa bookstores at nakita naming nasa ilalim ‘yung mga libro ko at natatakpan pa ng marami pang libro, nilalagay namin sa unahan.”  

The PBF is a welcome way to introduce Filipino books to a wider audience, and will showcase “ang katotohanan na mahusay ang mga manunulat na Pilipino.”

“Kung parang sa pelikula, para kaming mga extra lang,” he said. “Kaya maraming salamat sa NBDB dahil dito sa Philippine Book Festival, mga bida kami—maski minsan lang.”

He added, “Maski sa apat na araw lang, kami naman ang pokus, kami naman ang bida.”

Aside from that, Ricky said the festival is a way for authors and readers to come together, which is a rare occurrence.   

Ricky will also be having a meet and greet at the festival titled “Para Kay B: A Meet and Greet with Ricky Lee.” This will be on March 15 at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

3. Cosplay fiesta, spoken word poetry, and other activities

The PBF this year is promising a lot of fun and exciting activities, meet and greet sessions, and book signings.

It was revealed at the media launch that there is a contest titled Cosplay Filipiniana Fiesta, where guests can dress up as their favorite character in Philippine literature.

A spoken word poetry competition will also be held.

Another exciting activity is Dream Book Cover, where young artists can do on-the-spot illustrations of their very own book covers.

Ambeth Ocampo will also be present for the book signing event, “From Noli to Now: the Ambeth Ocampo Special” on March 15 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

4. Your new third space

The PBF is more than a shopping place, it is a third space. It aims to be a spot outside one’s home or work, where people can hang out and engage through Filipino books.

NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade answered GMA News Online during the media launch’s question-and-answer that the fair aims to give guests joyful and welcoming feelings, that they are allowed to have conversations and be part of a community.

“We just want everyone to enjoy and have fun,” she said., adding that the fair welcomes everyone of all ages.

“Whatever you feel here now, that same kind of festive feeling [when] convening and meeting like-minded people, or meeting people that you probably would have never met in another space,” Aquino-Tugade said.

She and the team also hope festivalgoers feel “safe enough to have conversations that are not allowed in other spaces.”

Additionally, Aquino-Tugade hopes that the festival will make people excited to read.

“In this festival, when you bring your children, they will feel the same way you felt,” she said. “I'm 44, so I remember going to the bookstores. They were filled with books, and just smelling the pages and then sitting down and reading.”

“You can do that here in the Philippine Book Festival.”

5. Prepare for magical moments

Magical moments happen outside books, too.

Guests will be able to see their favorite authors walking around or hanging out at the festival and can start conversations with them.

Visual artist Danielle Florendo, who designed this year’s Panagbenga-themed Booktopia realm, recalled a previous PBF moment where she met Ambeth Ocampo in the elevator. She introduced herself and they started sharing stories.

Edgar Calabia Samar, a writer best known for his “Janus Silang” novels, shared that a new couple met each other while in line for his book-signing event.

The programs also never stop, as these happen every hour for 12 hours each day of the PBF.

Needless to say, the possibilities are endless at PBF.

See you at the festival! —JCB, GMA Integrated News