PH Book Festival opens April 25 at World Trade Center

AFTER a successful first edition last year, the 2nd Philippine Book Festival (PBF) will unfold from April 25 to 28 at the World Trade Center with more than 160 exhibitors.

The event, which brings together publishers, authors, artists, educators and readers from around the country, is one of the flagship programs of the National Book Development Board (NBDB).

«We're going to have more than 160 exhibitors, hundreds of events for families, friends, children, and it will be a real treat for everyone. So we urge all of you to go and visit and have fun and enjoy. There will be lots of activities and, most importantly, it's all for free. We hope you can all dive in. It's not just a book fair. It's a book experience,» said Charisse Aquino-Tugade, executive director of NBDB.

Among the authors to grace the event for meet-and-greet and book signing are Gwy Saludes, historian Ambeth Ocampo and National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee.

The NBDB hopes to improve access to quality Philippine books while bringing revenue to local publishing industry professionals.

«We once again emphasize the fact that there is a need for us and our partners to continue working against lack of access and against the imbalances in our book import-to-export ratio by saturating the market and our schools with relevant, accessible, and affordable Philippine-authored books,» said NBDB Chairman Dante «Klink» Ang 2nd.

«The PBF is one way to address the many gaps that are indicative of a much larger systemic problem — something that we sought to respond to three years ago. The NBDB has a large role to play in not just growing the book industry but in shaping the environments that make reading possible for all sectors of the population,» he added.

«This is a major endeavor for NBDB because we are basically raising the flag for the Philippines. The Frankfurt Book Fair, many have described it as like the Olympics for books. Everyone in the world will be there. It's the largest right-selling event in the world, but it's also a place where publishers and other creatives get together so we're in the midst of preparing for that. This is only going to be the second time the Southeast