Filipino readers, it’s time to clear some shelf space!
On Thursday, February 26, the spotlight turned to the richness of local literature at the media launch of the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2026—an event that celebrated everything from time-honored classics like El Filibusterismo by José Rizal and Para Kay B by Ricky Lee, to today’s bestselling Wattpad novels, children’s books, and contemporary Filipino titles.
Organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), this year’s festival carries the evocative theme “Gubat ng Karunungan”—a fitting metaphor for the vast, living ecosystem of Filipino stories waiting to be explored.
The four-day literary celebration will run from March 12 to 15 at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall.
‘Galing ng mga Pinoy, Para sa mga Pinoy’
The launch gathered some of the country’s most respected names in publishing and literature, including award-winning author Jose Dalisay Jr. and publishing pillar Dominador Buhain, often referred to as the “Godfather of Philippine Book Publishing.”
Also present were author-publisher Segundo Matias Jr., writer Ronaldo Vivo Jr., journalist Nelson Canlas, actress Yasmin Kurdi, and Deaf illustrator-author CJ Reynaldo.
From the NBDB leadership, Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade, Director Ma. Carolina Tapia, and Project Development Officer Virgie Nicodemus were also in attendance—underscoring the institutional push to make Filipino books more visible, accessible, and celebrated.
The message was clear: Filipino creativity is thriving, and it deserves to be read, shared, and supported locally.
Embracing the Digital Chapter
During the press conference, a conversation that resonated with younger readers and content creators alike, Segundo Matias highlighted the evolution of reading habits in the digital age.
“It’s there; wala ka nang magagawa. You have to embrace it,” Matias said.
With e-books, online platforms, and social media shaping how stories are consumed, Matias urged stakeholders not to see technology as a threat to literacy. Instead, he framed it as an opportunity—one that can expand readership and nurture a new generation of Filipino book lovers.
In a world where scrolling often competes with page-turning, the festival positions itself as a bridge between print and digital, tradition and trend.
Stories That Make Space for Every Voice
For CJ Reynaldo, local literature is more than entertainment—it is representation.
As a Deaf illustrator and author, Reynaldo emphasized the importance of platforms like PBF in amplifying stories from diverse communities, including the Deaf community. Literature, he noted, becomes a space where lived experiences are not only told but seen and understood.
His presence at the launch served as a powerful reminder that the “Gubat ng Karunungan” is not a single path, but a forest of many voices—each with its own rhythm, language, and truth.
A Sneak Peek at What’s to Come
An exclusive book tour during the launch offered a preview of what readers can expect in March: trending Wattpad novels, beloved pocketbooks, children’s titles, and a wide array of Filipino-authored works across genres.
Whether you’re revisiting required-reading classics, diving into romance and fantasy, or building a child’s first home library, the Philippine Book Festival 2026 promises something for every kind of reader.
As the countdown to March 12 begins, one thing is certain: this is more than a book fair. It’s a celebration of Filipino imagination—rooted in history, branching into the present, and reaching boldly toward the future.
Time to update that TBR list.
