Philippine Book Festival 2025: A Grand Celebration of Filipino Stories and Culture

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Ultimate Fiesta for Book Lovers

The Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2025 has officially opened its doors at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, promising a four-day literary extravaganza like never before. As the country’s premier all-Filipino book festival, PBF 2025 aims to celebrate and promote Filipino-authored books, ensuring that local literature continues to thrive and inspire.

In true fiesta spirit, this year’s festival has been designed to reflect the vibrancy and diversity of Philippine culture, with immersive installations, engaging activities, and a wealth of books that highlight the nation’s rich literary heritage.

A Grand Opening with Literary Icons

The opening ceremony, aptly named "Fiesta Simula," set the tone for the festivities with dramatic readings, musical performances, and messages from key figures in the publishing, education, and cultural sectors. Among the distinguished guests were National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario and National Artist for Film & Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, both of whom emphasized the importance of fostering a reading culture among Filipinos.

Charisse Aquino-Tugade, Executive Director of the National Book Development Board (NBDB), expressed her enthusiasm for this year’s edition, highlighting the festival’s mission to make Filipino books more accessible while also celebrating the country’s cultural identity.

What’s New at PBF 2025?

This year’s festival goes beyond book sales and signings—it’s a full-fledged cultural experience that immerses visitors in the heart of Philippine literature and traditions.

1. Fiesta-Inspired Design and Interactive Spaces

PBF 2025 has introduced visually stunning installations that pay tribute to the Philippines’ most beloved festivals. One of the standout attractions is the "Pakyáwan Plaza," a space inspired by the Pahiyas Festival that features a bahay kubo installation, a live mural, and traditional Filipino decorations.

2. Exclusive Book Discounts and More Events

Attendees can enjoy huge discounts on books, making it easier to build personal libraries filled with Filipino-authored works. The festival also features art workshops, storytelling sessions, and meet-and-greet opportunities with renowned Filipino authors and illustrators, including children's book artists Juno Abreu, Pepot Atienza, Danielle Florendo, and Paul Eric Roca.

3. A Nationwide Effort to Strengthen Filipino Literacy

A key highlight of the festival is the participation of over 650 teachers from the Department of Education (DepEd). As part of NBDB’s efforts to bridge the gap in book accessibility, the government has facilitated the purchase of P2.4 billion worth of books that will soon find their way into schools and libraries nationwide.

The Philippine Book Festival: More Than Just a Fair

The Philippine Book Festival is unlike any other literary event in the country. It’s not just about celebrating books—it’s about ensuring that quality Filipino-authored literature reaches every corner of the archipelago. Since its inception in 2023, the festival has led to the institutional sale of hundreds of millions’ worth of local books, ensuring that Filipino students from Batanes to Jolo have access to inspiring and educational materials.

Aquino-Tugade emphasized that this year’s festival goes beyond numbers.

“We’re ensuring that the books reaching students actually match their needs and mirror their realities. We’ve been training DepEd teachers on how to approach book selection in a way that is meaningful, ensuring that students can easily access and appreciate stories that resonate with their own experiences.”

She also reiterated that the PBF is a call to action—a reminder that it’s never too late to change the reading culture in the Philippines and break misconceptions about literacy, publishing, and readership.

A Must-Visit Event for Every Filipino Book Lover

The Philippine Book Festival 2025 runs from March 13 to March 16, and entrance is free. Whether you’re a die-hard bibliophile, a budding writer, a student looking for inspiration, or simply someone who loves stories, PBF 2025 is the perfect place to celebrate Filipino literature and culture.

About the National Book Development Board

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the official book authority of the Philippines, committed to developing the local publishing industry and promoting the vibrant culture of Filipino authorship and reading. Follow NBDB’s social media pages (@nbdbphilippines) for updates.

Join the celebration! The future of Philippine literature is here.

Cover photo: Tarantadong Kalbo aka Kevin Eric Raymundo at his booth at the Philippine Book Festival 2025

PARE Calls for Electric Cooperatives to Focus on Service, Not Politics

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

With the 2025 Midterm Elections fast approaching, concerns are mounting over the involvement of electric cooperatives in political endorsements. The advocacy group Partners for Affordable and Reliable Energy (PARE) has issued a strong statement urging electric cooperatives and their board of directors to remain politically neutral and focus on their core duty: delivering affordable and reliable electricity to consumers.

Electric Cooperatives and Political Endorsements

PARE has observed that some electric cooperatives have been posting content that seemingly promotes certain candidates or party lists. Additionally, political figures’ presence at general assemblies and member-consumer-owners (MCO) gatherings has raised alarms. These events, according to PARE, should strictly be venues for discussing power rates and energy-related concerns—not platforms for political campaigns.

"When leaders of electric cooperatives use their influence for political endorsements, it diverts their attention from pressing energy concerns," PARE stated. "Consumers are left with higher rates, unreliable service, and mismanaged resources."

The Call for Neutrality and Consumer-Centric Governance

PARE emphasizes that electric cooperatives exist to serve the public, not politicians. Their primary responsibility is ensuring least-cost power and improving service quality, rather than engaging in electoral politics. The advocacy group warns that failure to maintain neutrality could result in poor energy management, increased electricity rates, and diminished public trust in these cooperatives.

To address these issues, PARE calls on electric cooperative officials to:

Cease any form of political endorsements—direct or indirect

Ensure transparency in service operations

Refocus on improving energy infrastructure and affordability

Conduct assemblies purely for energy-related discussions

PARE’s Chief Advocate Officer, Nic Satur Jr., reinforced the group’s stance, stressing that EC officials must “uphold neutrality and focus on improving energy services, not politics.”

The Bigger Picture: Ensuring Reliable and Affordable Energy

Electric cooperatives play a vital role in ensuring energy security and accessibility, especially in rural areas. However, their effectiveness is undermined when political agendas interfere with decision-making and operations. With the upcoming elections, it is crucial for these cooperatives to remain committed to their mandate—serving the energy needs of Filipinos without political bias.

As watchdog groups like PARE continue to advocate for transparency and accountability, the public is encouraged to stay vigilant and demand consumer-centered leadership from their electric cooperatives.

Shop, Earn, Fly: The Game-Changing AirAsia-SMAC Rewards Hack You Can’t Miss!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

AirAsia rewards, the loyalty platform of Capital A (formerly AirAsia Group), has partnered with SM Advantage Card (SMAC), the Philippines' largest retail loyalty program under the SM Group. This collaboration, unveiled on March 5, 2025, at the SM Retail Headquarters in Pasay City, introduces the "My SMAC, My MOVE" campaign, enabling seamless conversion of points between the two programs, thereby enriching both shopping and travel experiences for members. 

Seamless Points Conversion: A New Era of Rewards

The crux of this partnership lies in its innovative two-way points conversion system:

For SMAC Members: 200 SMAC points can be converted into 300 AirAsia points via the AirAsia MOVE app. 

For AirAsia Members: 500 AirAsia points can be exchanged for 125 SMAC points through the same platform. 

This integration allows members to maximize the value of their points, transforming everyday shopping into travel opportunities and vice versa. 

Leadership Perspectives on the Partnership

Key executives from both organizations have expressed their enthusiasm:

Nicole Tan, Chief Business Officer of AirAsia rewards, stated, "We are excited to team up with the Philippines' biggest loyalty program to offer a truly rewarding experience for both SMAC and AirAsia rewards members." 

Patrick Cua, Chief Operating Officer of SMAC, remarked, "By combining shopping and travel rewards, we're enhancing the value of our loyalty program and offering more meaningful experiences to our members." 

Ricky Isla, CEO of AirAsia Philippines, added, "We are positive that this partnership will further boost the appetite of travel tourism in the country." 

AirAsia MOVE App: The Ultimate Travel Companion

Central to this partnership is the AirAsia MOVE app, formerly known as the airasia Superapp. This all-in-one platform offers a comprehensive suite of travel services:

Flight Bookings: Access to over 700 airlines, including AirAsia, allowing users to compare prices and book flights that fit their budget. 

Hotel Reservations: Availability of over 900,000 hotels worldwide, catering to various preferences and budgets. 

Additional Features: The app also offers ride-hailing, dining experiences, insurance, and more, underpinned by integrated financial services provided by BigPay. 

The app's recent rebranding to AirAsia MOVE reflects its commitment to evolving and enhancing user experience. The refreshed interface aims to provide a more intuitive and seamless navigation experience for users. 

FACES: Pioneering Contactless Travel

AirAsia MOVE also introduces FACES (Fast Airport Clearance Experience System), a facial recognition technology designed to offer a fully digital and contactless travel experience. This feature allows guests to check-in, clear security, and board flights using facial biometrics, enhancing convenience and safety. 

Conclusion

The partnership between AirAsia rewards and SMAC signifies a transformative approach to customer loyalty, blending shopping and travel rewards into a cohesive system. With the AirAsia MOVE app at its core, members are poised to enjoy a more integrated and rewarding experience, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of loyalty programs in the ASEAN region.