The 33rd Manila International Book Fair - September 12-16

It's real a great time for us to enter the world of books, interesting and rare books!  Sometimes, bookstores aren’t supposed to be places where people whisper, where people laugh and gasp but book fairs where people get excited.  They are what book fairs are for. Books are the best friends one can ever have and reading habit gives us a refreshing experience and we come to learn a lot about achievers, great leaders and admirable people.

The Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), the country’s biggest and longest-running book fair, heads back to the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City on Sept. 12-16, once again celebrating the power of the written word.

For 33 years now, the MIBF has certainly stood the test of time.  Weathering economic fluctuations, political scenarios, the changing Filipino lifestyle, and the advent of new technologies, the MIBF has successfully evolved from an event for the industry and the academe into an attraction that draws readers of all ages, from all walks of life. And after three decades, its objective has remained the same: to bring books closer to the Filipino people by promoting good reading habits and providing a venue for the exchange of ideas among the players in the industry.

One of the most anticipated events for students, librarians, the academe, professionals, and bookworms of all persuasions, the MIBF showcases the largest and most varied collection of literature for both leisure and academic reading -- from textbooks, education supplements, general reference, religious and inspirational titles, self-help books, management books, Filipiniana, coffee table books, popular novels, children’s books, art books, graphic novels, rare and hard-to-find titles, magazines, audio and e-books, multimedia, teaching supplies and services, publishers’ technology, and travel materials.

Teachers and school administrators flock to the book fair to scope out new acquisitions for school libraries, as the event is a good venue to compare offerings from various exhibitors and get the best prices for bulk purchases. Book buyers smile from ear to ear as they peruse endless shelves of reading materials, loading up on books to last them well into the coming months. Avid readers make their way through the booths, checking out publishers’ new offerings, and queueing up to get books signed by authors and illustrators.

Peals of laughter and delight ring through the halls as youngsters watch stories come to life in simultaneous storytelling sessions. Eyes light up at the sight of the year’s crop of new books to read, little hands get busy exploring demonstrations of the latest learning technology, and little feet dash to meet their favorite book characters.

Several co-located events are also slated at the MIBF, ensuring added attractions for a wide variety of interests:

The Best of Anime 2012 

(Sept. 15 & 16, Function Room 4 & 5), a festival featuring anime exhibits, gaming, cosplay, concert and special activities that will thrill anime and manga enthusiasts; 

Super Kids 2012 

(Sept. 14-15 , Function Room 3), an early childhood education conference;

Facets of Wellness 

(Sept. 14-15, Function Rooms 1&2), a two-day health and wellness fair.

MIBF runs from Sept. 14-18 at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. MIBF is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc., Book Development Association of the Philippines, Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and Publishers Representatives Organization of the Philippines. 

For details, call 896-0661 or 896-0682, or e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia.com.