The 36th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) is the biggest and longest running book fair in the Philippines. MIBF aims to promote reading among Filipinos and to provide a conducive meeting place for makers and end users of books. This year’s five-day edition of MIBF included hundreds of sellers displaying their ware in their appointed booths, book signings by various authors, storywriting, doodling, calligraphy, and sketching workshops, book stamping, a Bible quiz championship, and mascot visits, among others.
Che, Hope, Mai and I trooped to SMX Convention Center at 10am in the hopes of avoiding the crush of people that would surely drop by. There were a lot of waiting in line by the time we arrived, but the bag inspection and ticket checking went smoothly and efficiently. There were at least four entrances for the visitors.
There was a package counter for those with heavy bags but do not want to lug them around all day. Book lovers can buy as many books as they can and not worry about their shoulders.
National Book Store welcomed us as soon as we entered one of the main doors of the cavernous hall. It was in the thick of things as it had the prime and biggest location in the hall, and rightfully so.
A tarpaulin with Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s image encouraging Filipinos to read was situated near one of the doors.
Vibal’s products include reading materials from preschool all the way to college and beyond. I was not able to include everything in this photo due to space constraint.
Rex Book Store at the 36th MIBF. I found the installation on the right interesting. I did not read the caption completely, but it is from Cordillera.
One of the more popular publishers was Psicom. Not shown on this photo, but there were many teenagers toting its books.
This was the end point of the book signing by Alesana Marie. I have not heard of her nor her work but the teenagers there really loved her books. The line to this autograph signing snaked through six or more other booths.
There was another queue for men later that afternoon. This one was for FHM (For Him Magazine). I took these photos from the side when I passed by their booth.
Instituto Cervantes Manila occupied a booth to entertain those interested in learning Spanish. More on this in the previous entry.
Las Brujas at the 36th MIBF. Che, Mai, Hope and I at The 36th Manila International Book Fair. Photos by SPRDC.
The 36th Manila International Book Fair runs from September 16 to 20, 2015 at SMX Convention Center Mall of Asia Complex, Pasig City. Gates open at 10am and close at 8pm. Entrance is P20.00 (US $0.43) or one can get free tickets from the participants like National Book Store or Fully Booked.