MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines (Mar 2026) — Four days, one mall, and every corner of Philippine literary life under one roof. The 4th Philippine Book Festival is open right now at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall, and for the first time in its history, opening day was free for everyone to attend.
The National Book Development Board (NBDB) officially kicked off the event on March 12, with NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade and Department of Education Secretary Edgardo Angara leading the ceremonies before a crowd of publishers, authors, illustrators, educators, and readers.
The festival runs until March 15 and is built around this year’s theme, Gubat ng Karunungan — Rainforest of Knowledge.
Four worlds inside one venue
PBF 2026 is divided into four themed areas. Aral Aklat focuses on books for learning, featuring textbooks and teaching guides. Booktopia covers the full range of Filipino fiction and nonfiction. Kid Lit is designed for young readers with interactive and child-friendly experiences. Komiks puts the spotlight on Filipino comics and graphic storytelling.
Five activation spaces round out the experience. Lugar Lagdaan handles book signings and reader-author meetups. Bahay Ilustrador highlights the craft of visual storytelling. Gubat ng Karunungan hosts workshops, talks, and masterclasses. The Fiesta Stage anchors major programming and performances. Umpukan is a more relaxed space for community conversations.
The authors showing up this weekend
The lineup is genuinely impressive. National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario and National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee will be on hand for book signings, alongside historian Ambeth Ocampo. Fan-favorite authors Jonaxx and Ron Canimo, kidlit writers Eugene Evasco and Luis Gatmaitan, and komiks legends Manix Abrera and Pol Medina are also part of the roster.
GMA Network and PaperKat Books will also launch Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre at the festival.
In cooperation with the National Library of the Philippines, the NBDB is also displaying facsimiles of Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, the Doctrina Christiana, and Fr. Manuel Blanco’s Flora de Filipinas — rare works that tie the festival back to the country’s literary roots.
Mark your calendar for March 14
The highlight of the four-day run is the 43rd National Book Awards, happening on March 14 at the Fiesta Stage. The awards recognize authors, illustrators, editors, translators, and publishers whose work has shaped Philippine literature.
The Philippine Book Festival 2026 is ongoing at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City until March 15.
