Philippine Book Festival 2023 Experience

National Book Development Board (NBDB) organized the world’s largest book festival, Philippine Book Festival 2023, from June 02 2023 to June 04, 2023, at SMX Convention Center (World Trade Center), Pasay. Various different publishers across the Philippines exhibited their published books like Summit Books, Anvil, PSICOM, Savage Mind: Arts, Books and Cinemas, REX, and many more. Comic artists have also exhibited their works.

Even Dr. Jose Rizal’s works of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were displayed at The Philippine Book Festival 2023, as well as other Philippine cultures like Florante at Laura, Baang Sikat, Origins and Rise of Filipino Novel, Dekada ‘70 and many more. Not only that The Philippine Book Festival 2023 exhibit books and arts, but engaging and interactive activities were also presented by the professional writers and speakers such as book talks, book reading, activities for children, the author’s inspirations, tips, and the casting of Luv At First Read, a famous Wattpad novel by Chixnita that is now being adapted to a TV series by GMA are present at The Philippine Book Festival 2023.

One of the activities that were presented was about the mental talk by Lolakwentosera and The Working Nanay talked about mental health issues and how to cope up with our mental health struggles. I also bought the book, “Sino Ang Dakila, Sino Ang Tunay Na Baliw” by Amelia Pagdanganan which covers the topic of mental health, its causes, and how to deal with those mental health struggles. “Sino Ang Dakila, Sino Ang Tunay Na Baliw” is actually the very first self-help book about mental health that I have. It was one of the activities in National Book Development Board (NBDB) that I enjoyed listening to. I also bought a poetry book, “Ikaw Sa Bawat Araw” by Ron Canimo, and had it signed by him, and listened to Jericho Silvers talk about his book, inspirations, and suggestions to aspiring authors.

I really had fun with my solo date at Philippine Book Festival. In fact, I was there for two days — June 03 and June 04, weekend. I couldn’t attend the first day of their opening which was on June 02 because it was Friday and I have to go to work. I went there not only as a reader but also as a self-published writer and a small online bookstore owner.

At The Philippine Book Festival 2023, I got the chance to have my debut poetry book, “The Times We Had” displayed at Savage Mind: Arts, Books and Cinemas. For that, I am really grateful. It was the very first time that my debut book, “The Times We Had” which was published last March 14, 2023 was displayed in a large event such as Book Festival 2023.

And as a business owner, I opened my “PasaBuy” scheme for those readers who wanted to buy books at Philippine Book Festival, but couldn’t make it. I went on LIVE streaming as I stroll around while talking and I also enjoyed it. And well, I called it ‘Booth Visit Live Shopping’. I even accidentally stumbled upon a co-writer of mine that I talked to online at the Philippine Book Festival and we talked for a while.

All in all, it was an exhausting but fun and productive event. I’m looking forward to the next Philippine Book Festival.

Philippine Book Festival is totally a TEN.