Legarda Renews Call to Celebrate Filipino Stories Ahead of Philippines’ Guest of Honour Showcase at Frankfurt Book Fair 2025

Senator Loren Legarda, the visionary behind the country’s role as the Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair, reaffirmed her commitment to uplifting Filipino creativity, diversity, and global recognition during today’s press conference at the National Library of the Philippines.

Reflecting on the Philippines’ preparations, Legarda noted, “What was once a distant dream has now become our present reality,” highlighting how the archipelago’s 7,641 islands and 135 languages provide a constellation of stories that expand empathy and cross borders. For Legarda, these stories are not merely beautiful, they are essential, ready to take their place on the world’s largest and most prestigious literary stage.

Legarda underscored the connection between Dr. Jose Rizal’s journey in Europe and the Philippines’ participation at the Frankfurt Book Fair, emphasizing how Rizal’s quest for ideas and intellectual dialogues continues to inspire Filipino creativity, courage, and openness. She noted that the country’s role, guided by the theme “The imagination peoples the air,” reflects a belief in storytelling’s ability to transcend boundaries and renew global appreciation for Philippine literature

The four-term Senator further highlighted the legacy of Rizal by launching the exhibit “From Calamba to Frankfurt: Jose Rizal and the Frankfurt Book Fair,” now on display at the National Library of the Philippines, conceived by Legarda and curated by NHCP Commissioner Lisa Guerrero Nakpil. The exhibit traces Rizal’s transformative years in Germany and the friendships that influenced his work, offering visitors a rich foundation from which Philippine literature continues to grow.

The Philippines will feature a 2,000-square-meter pavilion, with innovative rattan and bamboo installations, more than 500 book titles, and live artistic performances curated by Patrick Flores and designed by Stanley Ruiz. Over 400 Filipino delegates will present the best of Philippine literature. National Artist Virgilio Almario joins acclaimed authors, artists, and performers for more than a hundred talks, readings, and cultural sessions tackling global issues, Filipino identity, sustainability, and bayanihan.

“We go to Frankfurt not in search of approval, but to share with the world our stories that smell like sampaguita and sound like our indigenous chants, tales that taste like adobo, and feel like warm rain on thirsty fields,” Legarda said.

“The imagination peoples the air, and we are ready to breathe new life into the world’s understanding of what Philippine literature means,” Legarda concluded. (30)