#TPNEWS
Independent Publishers on Spotlight as MIBF returns onsite after two years
By: Michael Quilala | September 16, 2022
After two years of pandemic hiatus, the time has come for every discerning Pinoy bookworm to ultimately find their way to the offerings of the independent book publishers at this year’s Manila International Book Far (MIBF). Currently in its 43rd year, the MIBF went onsite once again at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City starting last Thursday, September 15, 2022.
The MIBF is currently the largest and longest-running book fair in the country.
The venue has more than a hundred booths in place for all participants to visit from 10AM to 8PM, with lots of publishers to visit on every aisle from Learning is Fun, Rex Bookstore, Vibal Group Inc., Adarna House, Penguin Random House SEA, Philippine Christian Book Store among others.
This year’s book fair features publishers of online books such as F & J De Jesus Inc., office supplies such as Pilot, TM Office Series and Valiant, and international institutions and embassies based in the Philippines like Instituto Cervantes and the Norwegian Embassy. Publishers and participating brands made the fair a little more exciting with discounts, 10 to 50-peso deals, and exclusive promos.
While it is not the first time that the MIBF has housed independent publishers, this is the first time that they will have a dedicated showcase for them. Timely and exciting titles release the past two years have been released were on display such as Nick Joaquin’s Rizal in Saga, Charlson Ong’s White Lady, Black Christ (Milflores Publishing), Trese comics series and Eliza Victoria’s 17 Prayers to the Many-eyed Mother (Avenida Publishing), Emmanuel Barrameda’s Balaguer, and Maqueda by Nap I. Arcilla III (Balangay Books).
Meanwhile, the MIBF team definitely didn’t take the backseat in its onsite return. The book fair proudly presented its jam-packed schedule of events throughout the 4-day period highlighted by interviews with authors, book-signing events, meet-and-greets, and quizzes from different booths and publishers.
With pandemic-deprived bookworms longing to go book shopping live, getting their books signed, meeting authors and like-minded readers, the Indie Village showcasing the best of Philippine Independent Publishing is another reason not to miss this year’s MIBF.
The Manila International Book Fair will run from September 15, 2022 until September 18, 2022.
