Book lovers and literary enthusiasts flocked to Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City earlier today, April 21, 2018, to celebrate Día del Libro (Book Day). Just like in the previous years, Instituto Cervantes Manila (ICM) hosted the 13th edition of Día del Libro.
For the third consecutive year, Mercadillo de Libros (Book Market) caused white-topped tents to sprout like mushrooms in the middle of the concrete part of Ayala Triangle. These tents housed exhibitors, mainly publishers and bookstores, and their hundreds of books that were sold at 20% discount.
To the delight of many, the bigger version of the pop-up library by The Bookstop Project made a successful comeback. The pop-up library enabled Día del Libro visitors to interact with other book lovers and exchange books for free.
Another activity that had a continued presence was Escribo el Quijote, where 500 volunteers copied by hand Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quijote de la Mancha on a thick hardbound book with red cover. Escribo el Quijote started in Día del Libro 2015.
A popular new activity was Chuta-gol sponsored by La Liga. Attendees, especially teenagers (14 years old and up) were invited to be Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi and score a goal to win La Liga merchandise. Let me say that this one was the most fun for me.
Aside from these interactive activities, Street Art: 3 miradas al Prado, storytelling for children, Meet the Writers: Book signing (including Sir Ambeth Ocampo), Mi Primera Clase: free spanish class, spoken word performance of Michelean Alagao, disco muda (silent disco), and book presentation of Mabuhay by Spanish writer Ramon Vilaró. Furthermore, the Manila Symphony Orchestra will serenade attendees with Spanish and Filipino classical pieces in Concierto en el Parque.
Those who bought books or participated in the activities received long-stemmed red roses from the beautiful and handsome volunteers.
Día del Libro 2018 is presented by Instituto Cervantes Manila, Embajada de España en Filipinas, AECID, Make It Makati, Ayala Land, Inc., WTA Architecture and Design Studio, Philippine Transmarin Carriers, Inc., One Meralco Foundation, Turkish Airlines Incorporated in Metro Manila, La Liga, Diamond Hotel Philippines, with the collaboration of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Book Development Board (NBDB), Anvil Publishing, and the best Manila bookstores.
For the previous editions of Instituto Cervantes Manila’s Día del Libro, please read Día del Libro 2017, Día del Libro 2016, and Día del Libro 2015.
For related entries, please read The Bookstop Project, Almost There, But Not Quite, Instituto Cervantes – Manila in its New Home, Miguel Hernández Library, and Saturday Afternoon with Ambeth and Apolinario.
Here are some of the photos taken during Instituto Cervantes Manila’s Día del Libro 2018:
The volunteers of Instituto Cervantes Manila entertaining the buyers of the ever-popular shirts with immortal words of literary geniuses
The shirt I bought. I have around ten IC shirts, so I chose the one I do not have. Apparently, there is a song that uses these words. Hello, Juan! ☺
Me trying to be Juan Mata (I know he does not play for La Liga and he is not in the same level as Ronaldo or Messi, but I like him the most)
I scored a goal and won this cute bag that goes well with my shirt and the other 90% of the clothes in my wardrobe.
TR and the stress ball
The red letters that spell out Cervantes in their third consecutive appearance in Día del Libro. TR enjoying her first Día del Libro.
To know more about Instituto Cervantes Manila’s upcoming activities or if you want to learn Spanish, visit its website at http://manila.cervantes.es/en/default.shtm or its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila.