The 4th Philippine Book Festival wrapped up this March with nearly 39,000 visitors and over 100 publishers, proving once again that Filipinos love their local stories. From bestselling authors to debut creators, the festival was buzzing with readers eager to meet the people behind the books.

DepEd Secretary Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade kicked things off and didn’t just stay on stage—they walked the halls, chatted with authors and illustrators, and even lingered at booths to see the action firsthand.

^{DepEd Secretary Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade | Photo from NBDB}

Multilingual readings of Gerald Galindez’s Kung Ang Libro Ay Dagat celebrated the country’s rich languages, while workshops at Bahay Ilustrador gave aspiring artists a peek into the creative process.

Long lines at Lugar Lagdaan showed just how much readers love meeting their favorite writers. From prominent authors Ricky Lee, Ambeth Ocampo, journalists Atom Araullo, Patricia Evangelista, and Wattpad star Jonaxx to fan favorite Ron Canimo, fans got autographs, shared stories, and bought books that will stay on their shelves long after the festival ended.

^{Atom Araullo book signing event at Philippine Book Festival 2026 | Photo from NBDB}

The stage wasn’t just for talks—there were performances too, including Gloc-9’s lively book-inspired set and Teatro Arellano’s adaptation of Malong: The Magic Cloth.

During the 4-day festival, the 43rd National Book Awards also celebrated 30 outstanding titles, with lifetime honors going to Virgilio Almario.

^{43rd National Book Awards | Photo from NBDB}

Regional voices, especially from Mindanao, also found a platform, while book evaluators and schools got direct access to top Filipino titles. Even international guests, like Frankfurt Buchmesse’s Claudia Kaiser, took notice.

As Aquino-Tugade put it, “Filipino stories are alive, readers are growing, and the local publishing industry is thriving.” The festival showed that when readers and creators come together, magic happens—and there’s plenty more to look forward to.