Legarda Hails MIBF Success, Carries Forward Gains from Frankfurt Book Fair

Senator Loren Legarda hailed the successful conclusion of the 2026 Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), saying the estimated turnout of around 235,000 visitors reflects the continuing interest of Filipinos for books and the growing opportunities for the country’s literary and publishing sector.

Held from September 9 to 13 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, the MIBF brought together Philippine and international publishers, booksellers, authors, educators, cultural institutions, and readers through book launches, discussions, signings, and other literary activities under the theme “Get Lit: Reading in a New Light.”

“It is encouraging to see families, students, teachers, writers, and publishers coming together in one space to discover new works. The strong response to this year’s MIBF shows that there is an active readership for books and a community ready to support the people who create and bring them to the public,” Legarda said.

She said the success of MIBF underscores the importance of strengthening the Philippine book ecosystem, from writing and publishing to distribution, bookselling, libraries, and access to books in schools and communities.

“If we want more Filipinos to read, we also have to make sure that Filipino books are being written, published, distributed, and made accessible. We need an environment where writers can continue creating, publishers can invest in new works, and readers can easily find books to speak to their lives, histories, languages, and communities,” she said.

Legarda said the growth of the local publishing sector is especially significant following the Philippines’ participation as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurter Buchmesse in October 2025, which gave Filipino writers, publishers, illustrators, translators, and other creatives greater exposure to the international publishing community.

“Frankfurt helped bring Filipino books to a wider international audience, while MIBF brought those books closer to readers here at home. A strong literary sector needs a solid domestic readership alongside opportunities for Filipino works to reach markets abroad,” Legarda said.

Since the Philippines returned to the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2015 after a 15-year absence, Legarda has supported the country’s sustained participation in the fair and efforts to expand the international presence of Philippine literature and publishing. The four-term Senator was the principal advocate behind the Philippines’ participation as Guest of Honour at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair.

“Supporting Filipino books means making it possible for writers to produce new work, publishers to take risks on local titles, translators and illustrators to reach wider audiences, and booksellers and libraries to bring these works closer to readers. This is how we build a literary sector that can grow and compete,” she said.

Legarda, author of Republic Act No. 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, has pushed for stronger support for the country’s creative industries, including publishing and literature, through policies that expand opportunities and markets for Filipino creative workers and enterprises.

She also emphasized the importance of cultivating young readers and making books more available in homes, schools, libraries, and communities.

“Kapag mas maraming batang Pilipino ang lumaking nagbabasa, mas lumalawak din ang espasyo para sa ating mga manunulat. We need to make reading part of everyday life and make sure that young Filipinos have access to books that reflect our own stories, culture, languages, and experiences,” she said.

Legarda said the enthusiasm generated by MIBF should encourage continued investment in Filipino books and in the institutions that connect them to readers throughout the country.

“What we saw at the MIBF should translate into stronger support for Filipino books beyond the five days of the fair. We should continue expanding access, developing new readers, and creating opportunities for our writers and publishers so that Filipino works can flourish here at home and reach more readers around the world,” Legarda concluded. (30)

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Legarda: Tagumpay ng MIBF, nagpapatuloy sa mga oportunidad na nabuksan ng Frankfurt Book Fair

Binigyang-diin ni Senator Loren Legarda ang matagumpay na pagtatapos ng 2026 Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), na tinatayang dinaluhan ng humigit-kumulang 235,000 katao. Aniya, ipinapakita nito ang patuloy na interes ng mga Pilipino sa mga aklat at ang lumalawak na oportunidad para sa mga manunulat, publisher, at iba pang bahagi ng industriya ng aklat sa bansa.

Idinaos mula Setyembre 9 hanggang 13 sa SMX Convention Center Manila, pinagsama-sama ng MIBF ang mga lokal at internasyonal na publisher, bookseller, manunulat, guro, institusyong pangkultura, at mga mambabasa sa pamamagitan ng book launches, talakayan, book signing, at iba pang gawaing pampanitikan sa ilalim ng temang “Get Lit: Reading in a New Light.”

“It is encouraging to see families, students, teachers, writers, and publishers coming together in one space to discover new works. The strong response to this year’s MIBF shows that there is an active readership for books and a community ready to support the people who create and bring them to the public,” ipinahayag ni Legarda.

Ayon kay Legarda, ipinapakita ng tagumpay ng MIBF kung gaano kahalagang palakasin ang lahat ng bahagi ng industriya ng aklat, mula sa pagsusulat at paglalathala hanggang sa distribusyon, pagbebenta, mga aklatan, at mas madaling pagkuha ng mga libro sa mga paaralan at komunidad.

“If we want more Filipinos to read, we also have to make sure that Filipino books are being written, published, distributed, and made accessible. We need an environment where writers can continue creating, publishers can invest in new works, and readers can easily find books to speak to their lives, histories, languages, and communities,” ani Legarda.

Sinabi rin niya na mahalaga ang patuloy na paglago ng lokal na publishing sector matapos maging Guest of Honour ang Pilipinas sa Frankfurter Buchmesse noong Oktubre 2025. Nagbukas ito ng mas maraming pagkakataon para sa mga Pilipinong manunulat, publisher, illustrator, translator, at iba pang creative worker na maipakilala ang kanilang mga gawa sa mas malawak na international publishing community.

“Frankfurt helped bring Filipino books to a wider international audience, while MIBF brought those books closer to readers here at home. A strong literary sector needs a solid domestic readership alongside opportunities for Filipino works to reach markets abroad,” ipinahayag ni Legarda.

Mula nang muling lumahok ang Pilipinas sa Frankfurt Book Fair noong 2015 matapos ang 15 taong pagkawala, sinuportahan ni Legarda ang tuloy-tuloy na partisipasyon ng bansa at ang mga hakbang para mas makilala sa ibang bansa ang mga aklat at panitikang Pilipino. Ang four-term Senator ang pangunahing nagsulong ng paglahok ng Pilipinas bilang Guest of Honour sa 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair.

“Supporting Filipino books means making it possible for writers to produce new work, publishers to take risks on local titles, translators and illustrators to reach wider audiences, and booksellers and libraries to bring these works closer to readers. This is how we build a literary sector that can grow and compete,” ani Legarda.

Bilang may-akda ng Republic Act No. 11904 o Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, isinusulong ni Legarda ang mas malakas na suporta para sa mga malikhaing industriya ng bansa, kabilang ang publishing at literature, sa pamamagitan ng mga polisiyang nagbubukas ng mas maraming oportunidad at merkado para sa mga Pilipinong creative worker at negosyo.

Binigyang-diin din niya ang kahalagahan ng paghikayat sa mga bata na magbasa at ng pagkakaroon ng mas maraming aklat sa mga tahanan, paaralan, aklatan, at komunidad.

“Kapag mas maraming batang Pilipino ang lumaking nagbabasa, mas lumalawak din ang espasyo para sa ating mga manunulat. We need to make reading part of everyday life and make sure that young Filipinos have access to books that reflect our own stories, culture, languages, and experiences,” ani Legarda.

Ayon kay Legarda, ang malaking interes na nakita sa MIBF ay dapat magtulak sa mas tuloy-tuloy na suporta sa mga aklat na likha ng mga Pilipino at sa mga manunulat, publisher, bookseller, aklatan, at iba pang tumutulong upang makarating ang mga ito sa mas maraming mambabasa sa buong bansa.

“What we saw at the MIBF should translate into stronger support for Filipino books beyond the five days of the fair. We should continue expanding access, developing new readers, and creating opportunities for our writers and publishers so that Filipino works can flourish here at home and reach more readers around the world,” pagtatapos ni Legarda.