Mandaluyong City – For four unforgettable days, the Philippine Book Festival (PBF 2026) transformed the Megatrade Hall at SM Megamall into a vibrant celebration of Filipino stories, bringing together readers, writers, illustrators, and educators under one roof.
Organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the festival offered book lovers a rare opportunity to explore the breadth of Philippine literature, from textbooks and trade books to kidlit and komiks, all within a lush rainforest-inspired setting dubbed Gubat ng Karunungan, or Rainforest of Knowledge.
Among the highlights were book signings and meet-and-greets with literary giants and popular authors alike, including National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, historian Ambeth Ocampo and Xiao Chua, trade-book stars Jonaxx and Ron Canimo, kidlit masters Eugene Evasco and Luis Gatmaitan, and komiks legends Manix Abrera and Pol Medina. GMA Network and PaperKat Books also unveiled the eagerly awaited Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre.
From first-time visitors to lifelong book lovers, PBF 2026 offered a shared experience that was both magical and inspiring—where readers could finally shake hands with their favorite authors, see the creative minds behind beloved illustrations, and discover new stories to carry home.
For book lovers, whether browsing physically or online, the Philippine Book Festival is an annual pilgrimage—a gathering of people united by their love of reading, in English or Filipino. It’s a chance to meet favorite authors, have treasured books signed, and personally share how their stories have touched and changed lives. The experience leaves a lasting impression, a memory of discovery, connection, and inspiration that readers carry long after the festival ends.
For four days, the Megatrade Hall became a haven where every corner whispered stories, every table held treasures, and every visitor experienced the joy of Filipino literature in its full glory.
