The National Book Development Board {NBDB} said the Philippine Book Festival {PBF} 2025, the country’s Largest all-Filipino book festival, concluded on a high note amid a highly festive atmosphere after four exciting days.
The free four-day event attracted more than 40,000 visitors, further reaffirming its status as the country’s premier celebration focused solely on Filipino books, authors, and publishers.
The NBDB, which founded the PBF in 2023, decided to hold the event at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. It was the perfect venue since PBF 2025 was not just a gathering of the who’s who in publishing but also a transformative moment for the local book publishing industry. There, the authors, publishers, educators, and readers gathered in an unprecedented show of support for Philippine literature.
Festival goers enjoyed browsing the thousands of books for sale, participated in the various exhibits, storytelling sessions, and even workshops for aspiring authors and illustrators. Visitors were in awe of the marvelous Pakyawan Plaza, which features an intricately designed Pahiyas-inspired bahay kubo.
Other realms highlighted popular festivals like the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City, the famous Tuna Festival in General Santos City, and Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City. These four realms were all designed by renowned children’s book artists Pepot Atienza, Juno Abreu, Paul Eric Roca, and Danielle Florendo, respectively.
