The 2018 Manila International Book Fair: A booklovers’ paradise
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“More books than you’ll ever have time for,” I chastised myself as Motito and I stepped inside the SMX Convention Center for one of our favorite annual events, the Manila International Book Fair.
The much-anticipated Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) was held on September 12-16, 2018 and featured more than a hundred exhibitors that included international publishing giants, independent publishing houses, and academic and religious publishers.
Motito and I took full advantage of our being homeschoolers, which means we could go on the first day, which happened to be a regular school day for everybody else, just two hours after the exhibition doors opened. That way we could get first dibs on the book bargains and avoid the crowds and long queues to the cashier.
Our admission was free, courtesy of free downloadable tickets from National Book Store. Helpful hint: Some publishers offer free tickets that you can download from their websites or Facebook pages. You’ll need to print these tickets and hand them over as you enter the venue. In general, the free tickets start popping up online from September.
I really can’t emphasize enough how students and their parents shouldn’t miss the annual book fair. The money and time saved alone is well worth the trouble of traveling to the venue and braving the crowds. Phoenix Publishing and Rex Publishing sell older editions of fully K-12 compliant textbooks for as low as P50 each! Lyric Music Store offers instructional books and sheet music at 50 percent off. Paperbacks can go as low as 50 pesos. The biggest collection of manga you’ll ever find at 10 percent off at least. All that and more under one big roof.
Books may be the biggest draw of the MIBF, but other book-related events at the five-day exhibition are hotly anticipated, as well. There are book signings, book launches, meet-and-greets, seminars, panel discussions, competitions, and arts and crafts activities.
Like last year, this year’s MIBF will occupy two floors, a testament to its growing number of exhibitors and attendees.
On the ground floor, you’ll find the exhibits from bookstore chains like National Book Store, Fully Booked, and Philippine Christian Books Store, as well as leading academic publishers including Phoenix Publishing, Rex Book Stores, and C&E Publishing.
The second floor exhibition space is anchored by children’s publishing giants Adarna House and Lampara Books and ABS-CBN Publishing. Here you’ll also find books and magazines by PSICOM, Anvil Publishing, and WS Pacific.
About the MIBF:
The Manila International Book Fair is the Philippines’ longest running and largest book fair.
For over 40 years, MIBF redefines the reading experience, showcasing the largest and most comprehensive collection of books, magazines, comics, educational aids, and allied materials.
MIBF exhibitors are not just local publishers and book stores, but also book printers, foreign publishers, embassies, art and craft suppliers, artist groups, tech businesses, paper suppliers, libraries, etc..
MIBF showcases 50+ engaging events. These events are planned for the business side of publishing and for the consumer side and ranges from book signings to product demonstrations and also discusses the publishing and bookmaking process.
MIBF Events are not just for readers and writers, but also hobbyists, enthusiasts, artists, and much more!
(From the Manila International Book Fair’s official webpage)
