Book events also connect readers with writers and publishers for feedback, friendships, and fandoms
The National Book Development Board (NBDB) brings its Philippine Book Festival (PBF) to Davao next weekend for the second leg of what promises to be one of the agency’s most successful and influential seminal events for the benefit of readers, writers, publishers, and the literary community.
The NBDB has lined up activities for all ages.
There will be engaging author talks and panel discussions, book readings and signing sessions, literary workshops and interactive sessions, the Pinoy Book Fair (komiks , children’s books, novels, textbooks), exciting book giveaways and raffles, and local food and refreshments.
Among the many interesting guests who’ll be at the Festival are historian Ambeth Ocampo, who’ll be interviewing National Artist for Literature Resil Mojares; cartoonist Manix Abrera, who’ll be holding a drawing workshop; writer Jay Ignacio, who’ll be signing copies of his National Book Award-winning graphic novel Alandal; and chef Claude Tayag, who’ll be hosting the Lunch Talk! Adobo Series.
An interesting activity for young folk is the Booktopia Scavenger Hunt 2.0 of the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP). The event gives free books and other prizes to those who complete all the missions in the Hunt.
The roster of guests alone, from many different backgrounds and fields, promises an exciting event as there’ll be something for everyone, whatever their interest.
The debut and first leg of the PBF was held June 2 to 4 at the World Trade Center Manila.
I attended that one, and, as I wrote in my June 7 column, I was “at a loss for words – superlatives escape me” in attempting to describe how successful the event was.
The NBDB’s staging team went above and beyond to provide a friction-free experience that allowed attendees to focus on enjoying themselves.
Billed as a “literary extravaganza,” the PBF will be from Aug. 18 to 20, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m at the SMX Convention Center, Lanang. Admission is free to all. View the entire program at www.philippinebookfest.com. Monitor updates at the NBDB Facebook page: www.facebook.com/nbdb.phil.
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The reason I’m writing about the PBF, and feature other literary happenings such as book launches in my columns, is because emphasis needs to be placed on the importance of such events in developing a vibrant national literature and in cultivating a reading culture among Filipinos.
These events provide a platform for Filipino writers and publishers to showcase their work and for readers to find them.
They offer a unique opportunity for both established and emerging authors to gain exposure, connect with readers, and network within the literary community.
By celebrating and promoting local literature, these festivals create a sense of pride and recognition for Filipino writers and their contributions to the country’s cultural heritage.
The written word preserves and promotes Filipino identity and heritage. Authors often write about the rich tapestry of Philippine history, traditions, and values.
These books serve as mirrors reflecting the collective experiences of the Filipino people, allowing readers to better understand their roots and cultural identity. By supporting and amplifying these voices through book events, the nation embraces its uniqueness and diversity, and ensures its cultural heritage is passed on.
Literary events also play a pivotal role in nurturing a reading culture among Filipinos.
Reading is a gateway to knowledge, empathy, and understanding, and book festivals create an environment that encourages the love of reading.
They feature book launches, readings, panel discussions, and workshops that engage readers of all ages and backgrounds. The events cultivate a sense of curiosity, exploration, and imagination, and hopefully will instill a lifelong love for books and reading in the young.
Book events also foster community engagement and social interaction.
As readers, writers, and publishers come together, they form connections, share experiences, and exchange ideas.
These interactions create a sense of belonging and camaraderie within the literary community, and encourage aspiring writers to pursue their passion and develop their craft.
They also connect readers with writers and publishers for feedback, friendships, and fandoms.
In addition to promoting literature and reading, these events also have economic significance. By showcasing local books and supporting local publishers, the events boost the publishing industry, leading to its growth and sustainability.
This, in turn, contributes to the overall growth of the creative economy in the Philippines.
In short, what the PBF — and by extension other literary events of the NBDB and other institutional members of the literary community – does in staging book events is conduct essential cultural events that contribute to the development of our national literature.
They provide a platform for writers to be recognized and celebrated, preserve and promote Filipino cultural identity, and cultivate a reading culture among Filipinos.
They provide opportunities for readers to connect with writers and find books that they may not otherwise be able to access.
These festivals are not only important for literature but also for fostering access to books and community engagement, encouraging creativity, and contributing to economic growth.
As such, they deserve continued support and promotion to ensure a flourishing literary and cultural landscape in the Philippines.
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Sending best wishes for safety and success to artist Solana Lim Perez, who is participating in the 2023 Mongol Derby happening right now.
Sol applied to join the race way back in 2019 and trained for endurance riding with the Kabadjo Horse Handlers Association (the one operating within Camp John Hay, Baguio City). She learned basic riding skills from the Wright Park “pony boys.”
Perez is the first Filipina to join the world’s longest and toughest race.
The Mongol Derby distance is 1,000 kilometers across the steppes, with riders expected to navigate their own way between horse stations or ‘urtuus’ established at 35-kilometer intervals.
The event recreates the system used by Genghis Khan to convey messages across his vast empire.
The race uses GPS tracking equipment to monitor all the riders, and as I write this on Sunday afternoon, Sol is on her way to Horse Station 8.
There are 20 more stations after that before she reaches the finish line.
Check out the tracking map at blogging.mongolderby.com to see Sol’s progress and that of the other riders.
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