MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Three National Artists for Literature and authors: Ricky Lee, Rio Alma, and Gemino Abad will grace the opening of the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), on Thursday, September 14, at the SMX Convention Center. The MIBF will run until September 17.
The three esteemed authors will kick off four days of literary activities at the MIBF, including much-awaited book signings and meet-and-greets. After all, the MIBF is not just the biggest showcase of printed literature in the country; it’s also the best place to see authors, illustrators, and comics creators, and get books signed and dedicated.
Among the authors who will be at MIBF on September 14 are Ricky Lee, 1:30 to 2:30 pm at the Stage Area; Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach who will showcase her debut novel “Queen of the Universe at 6:00 – 8:00 pm, at a meet and greet hosted by MIBF, Fully Booked and Tuttle Publishing.
Slated on Friday, September 15 is the panel discussion “Getting the Dream: How These Homegrown Filipino Authors Got Published by the Largest US Publishers.” MIBF and Penguin Random House bring together Filipina authors Mae Coyiuto (Chloe and the Kaishao Boys); Gail Villanueva (My Fate According to the Butterfly; Sugar and Spite; Lulu Sinagtala; Writing in Color); Caris Avendaño Cruz (Marikit and the Ocean of Stars); and Thea Guanzon (The Hurricane Wars; Star Wars Return of the Jedi: From a Certain Point of View) to talk about their experience being published by one or more of the big five US publishers.
Komiket, Inc. draws the spotlight on cult comic creator Kevin Eric Raymundo, more popularly known as Tarantadong Kalbo on Friday, Sept. 15, 6:00 – 8:00 pm “Happy Birthday Baby TK” showcases the Baby TK comics, which feature humorous vignettes of growing up in the ‘90s.
The Indie Village, a one-stop shop for Philippine independent publishers, will also showcase a host of events at its pavilion. On September 15, book signing and Tiktok post contest with Erwin Mallari by Aklat Mirasol; spoken word poetry of Ang Propeta, and a raffle of paintings by Janine Dimaranan and Bryan Barrios by Southern Voice Printing Press.
On Saturday, September 16, MIBF will be the stomping ground for authors that include: Komiket’s “Masaya Magbasa ng Komiks,” with comics creators Bambi Amago, Roland Amago, Al Santos, Jap Mikel, Macoy & Cy Vendivil and J. Philip Ignacio; and “Living As Ourselves: A Talk With Kim Soo Hyun,” a talk and book signing of the author of bestselling titles I Decided to Live as Me and Being Comfortable Without Effort.
Also on September 16 at the Indie Publishers Collab PH booth are Good Intentions book signing; a dialogue between Nap Arcilla and RM Topacio Aplaon by Balangay Books; Talagbangan Paint by Numbers Mural by Southern Voice Printing Press; book launch by Aklat Alamid; poetry readings and book signings with Alfred Yuson, author of poetry book Kafka in the Tropics and Virgilio Almario, editor of Jose Corazon de Jesus: Mga Piling Tula by Aklat Alamid; Meet the Essayists talk and book signings, with John Nery, author of Radical: Readings in Rizal & History, Rene de Jesus, author of Conversations with Mommy, and Prof. Jerry R. Yapo, author of Artfully Speaking & Other Essays by San Anselmo Press; book signings featuring Mesándel Virtusio Arguelles, Abner Dormiendo, and Christian Rey Pilares by Librong Lira.
Indie publisher 8letters showcases its roster of authors in a series of book signings at their booth: Daniel De Guzman and Shierney Reterta (Legends and Zodiacs); Kevin Llamas (Stressed Again???); Odyssa Abille (From Where I Stand); Josue Mapagdalita (Mula Sa Kilometer Zero); C.A. Marie (Tales from the Trail); Aldrin Pentero (Hindi Ito Laro); Sig C. Torr (Trigger Garett); Axel Laigo (My Songs at Sunset); Gerome Nicolas dela Peña (Suóng); Nicole Marie (Soli Deo Gloria); David Chan (The Kindred Chronicles); Shiela M. Cancino (Pawn to Queen: Life’s Chess and Quest); Mark Rana (Run Towards the Fire), Angelika Aquino (Para sa Pilipinas), Jahric Lago (Metamorphosis); and Zandro Bautista (Ang Mga Luto ni Misis Tancia).
On Sunday, September 17, Komiket Inc. hosts “Romance Novels that Make You Blush,” at 6:00-8:00 pm, Stage Area, a book talk and signing featuring Romance Class authors Jay E. Tria, Brigette Bautista, Danice Mae P. Sison, and Dawn Lanuza.
Over at Indie Village, Sunday events include Balangay Books signing; Alagwa Zine launch with Lean Borlongan, Allan Andres and Teddy Espela; book signing with Joel Malabanan, Arlan Camba, Leo Domingo by 7 Eyes; Mga Buhay na Apoy book signing with Auraeus Solito by Pawikan Press; Alubat book signing; and book signings with authors Eljay Castro Deldoc, Ayer Arguelles, Amadeo Mangune Mendoza, Jayson Fajardo, Genevieve Asenjo by Balangay Books.
Catch these events and more at the stage area, exhibitors’ booths, and meeting rooms at the biggest and longest-running book fair in the country, organized by Primetrade Asia Inc., in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc. (ACCI), Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), Philippine Booksellers Association of the Philippines (PBAI) and Overseas Publishers Representatives Association of the Philippines (OPRAP).
Event schedules are subject to change. For the most updated event details, call 8896-0682 or 8373-3301, e-mail info@manilabookfair.com, or follow @ManilaBookFair on Facebook and Instagram.
