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MIBF

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175869104367320250914-manila-book-fair-_QD16230-MD.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Book lovers at the 2025 Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center Manila, September 10 to 14, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/>Book lovers at the 2025 Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center Manila, September 10 to 14, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — Fans lined up early at Psicom Publishing’s booth at the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) 2025, eager to meet the authors behind their favorite stories. From mystery novelist AkoSiIbarra to the creator of the hit series &quot;Ang Mutya ng Section E,&quot; the authors greeted readers with signatures, photos, and heartfelt conversations — proving that the magic of holding a book and connecting with its creator is still very much alive.The energy at Psicom’s booth reflects a larger truth about MIBF: even in an age dominated by e-books and digital reading platforms, Filipinos are still gathering to celebrate literature in person. MIBF, now in its 40th year, continues to be the country’s largest and longest-running book fair, bringing together local and foreign publishers, fostering literary culture, and offering readers a chance to experience the stories they love beyond the page.“This is one of the events where I get the chance to meet them, sign their books, thank them for their support,” AkoSiIbarra, author of well-known mystery novel “Project Loki,” told ABS CBN News in an interview.According to him, book signing is a fantastic opportunity for fans to celebrate with their favorite writers as it is essential to get to know the person who created the story they adored.While for Laro Flores, or more known as Eatmore2behappy and creator of the hit novel-turned-series “Ang Mutya ng Section E,” MIBF is the “easy access” to Filipino literature.“&#x27;Yung ganitong event para sa akin, parang lalo rin nahihikayat din &#x27;yung kabataan kasi imagine, nandito lang sila para puntahan lang &#x27;yung fave author nila tapos makikita nilla mas marami pa lang interesting books,” she added. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175869112307120250914-manila-book-fair-_QD16502-MD.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Book lovers at the 2025 Manila International Book Fair at SMX Convention Center. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</div>An event like MIBF is truly the place where these authors engraved precious memories with their readers. KnightInBlack, writer of the famous “Hell University,” also shared in an interview that while he interacts with readers online, there is a unique and deeper connection formed during in-person meetings where he can truly feel and understand their audience. “Habang pumipirma ako ng books, one reader told me how my stories saved her without me knowing. This is the kind of feedback that hits different,” he added. “I write to release my thoughts and to know na my simple words can impact someone’s life… that’s powerful.”For horror-to-slice of life author, Jamille Fumah, attending this year’s MIBF renewed her spirit as an author. This was her second attendance in MIBF after her first time 10 years ago. “Since ngayon na lang ulit ako um-attend ng event, masaya ako na ma-meet sila at marinig &#x27;yung appreciation nila,” she happily shared. These authors began their writing careers on the popular digital reading app Wattpad. However, even though they began on a digital platform, their ability to engage readers was immortalized in Psicom history as their novels became the publishing best-sellers.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175869114671520250914-manila-book-fair-_QD16562-MD.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Book lovers at the 2025 Manila International Book Fair at SMX Convention Center. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/>Book lovers at the 2025 Manila International Book Fair at SMX Convention Center. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</div><div>Honoring a lasting legacy </div>Not only was the signing ceremony chaotic and enjoyable, it also produced a meaningful moment for avid readers as the late author Yannalovesyouuu&#x27;s family attended on her behalf.Known for her angst-comedy novel “My Husband is a Mafia Boss,” Yannalovesyouuu passed away on February 20 last year, leaving behind a loyal readership. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila (fans) kasi patuloy silang sumusuporta, nagmamahal at parati silang nandito kahit wala na si Miss Yanna,” Daisy Serrato, the author’s mother, said in an interview with ABS CBN news. Just like any mother, Serrato said she wants the fans to remember the late writer’s work legacy and remember her as someone who’s always humble.And Yannalovesyouuu&#x27;s legacy will surely lives on as her famous work “My Husband is a Mafia Boss,” together with “Project Loki” by AkosiIbarra and “Hell University” by KnightInBlack, will get its live action series produced by Viva One. “Nagpapasalamat ako at suportahan niyo at hindi kayo magsisisi,” Serrato said, looking proud for her daughter. While for AkoSiIbarra, he shared his excitement on receiving positive reception and assuring that the live-action will be faithful to the structure of the original material.On the other hand, KnightInBlack said that this series will embark on his new journey as an author. “My imagination will be more than words on paper, it will be seen,” he said. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175869120599420250914-manila-book-fair-_QD16201-MD.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Book lovers at the 2025 Manila International Book Fair at SMX Convention Center. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/>Book lovers at the 2025 Manila International Book Fair at SMX Convention Center. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</div><div>Keeping it alive</div>And as crowds filled the line in the book signing area, excitedly clutching their books while waiting in a long line, the atmosphere showed how physical books and reading culture is still holding on.“Seeing a lot of people pa rin na attending this kind of event is masaya and sana hopefully, na tuloy tuloy lang siya at hindi siya mawala up until the future,” Hazel Merencillo, a 21-year-old student who attend the annual MIBF as her personal tradition, said. Just like Merencillo, the younger generation seems to still indulge themselves in the world of ink and paper. Another student, Jewel Manglar, emphasized how her favorite authors inspire her to be happier when reading.“Namo-motivate ako magbasa lalo kasi ang gaganda ng mga stories and very inspiring po yung mga sinusulat nila,” Manglar added.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175869118977420250914-manila-book-fair-_QD16252-MD.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Book lovers at the 2025 Manila International Book Fair at SMX Convention Center. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/>Book lovers at the 2025 Manila International Book Fair at SMX Convention Center. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</div>Both students have grown accustomed to the bustling energy of MIBF, with the annual fair serving as a steady anchor for their love of books.For first-timer Marcus Tomo, 17, the experience was just as memorable. Despite the long lines, he said he looks forward to returning, calling it a “good experience” and sharing how “happy and relieved” he felt to finally see his favorite author up close.“Mas maganda ang ma-meet mo sila in person, mas mararamdaman mo &#x27;yung attachment (lalo) na sa tinagal-tagal kong binabasa &#x27;yung story nila,” he said.“Very helpful &#x27;yung mga ganitong event to encourage the new generations to try and read, to be literate kasi mahirap kapag puro online lang. So maganda naki-keep &#x27;yung ganitong tradition and na-help din natin &#x27;yung mga tao na nasa industry nito,” Merencillo happily added in the same interview. And as the MIBF closed its doors for this year, it left a reminder of the evolving yet enduring love of Filipinos for literature. For these young readers, the hope is that their generation — and those that follow — will carry forward the love of books and the tradition of gathering at events like MIBF. For the interviewed authors, the fair is an event that “celebrates the stories of knowledge” and “expands the reading culture.” Looking ahead, the future of MIBF appears bright because, as Jamille Fumah noted, teenagers are always curious — and it is this curiosity that will safeguard Filipino literature in the years to come.

Fans of Psicom Publishing flocked to the Manila International Book Fair 2025 to attend a book signing event that featured some of the publishing house’s most popular and rising authors.

Fans of Psicom Publishing flocked to the Manila International Book Fair 2025 to attend a book signing event that featured some of the publishing house’s most popular and rising authors.

Filipino book lovers flock to MIBF 2025 in celebration of reading culture

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Filipino book lovers flock to MIBF 2025 in celebration of reading culture

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Celine Ashley Tabunda

Published Sep 24, 2025 02:45 PM PHT

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Psicom

Manila International Book Fair

MIBF 2025

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