Hello! Would you want to know why I became a librarian? I’ll tell you anyway. It’s because, aside from being the mother of a girl, growing up I had no other desire in life than be surrounded by books. And I’m living my dream life.

That’s how – being a librarian, I mean – I discovered the Philippine Book Festival. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t end up in this heaven if I didn’t become a librarian. In an alternate universe where I’m doing something else, this event would come and go without me knowing, or caring.

About the Philippine Book Festival

As a book lover and an area coordinator of a Book Nook partner site, the Philippine Book Festival is one of the events that I look forward to every year. The PBF is the first book fair that features all-Filipino literature, writers, illustrators, and publishers. It is spearheaded by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) in partnership with the Department of Education, the National Library of the Philippines, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and others. It’s not just a book fair; it’s a book experience.

On its third year, the PBF took place at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City from March 13 to 16.

Last Sunday, I, Francis, and Sprout went to PBF 2025, my husband’s and daughter’s second PBF. We’ve been hyping Sprout up for this and she’s been excited for months. Here are the books that we got:

Our PBF 2025 Book Haul

Komiks

Baby TK (Eric Raymundo)

Francis and I are both fans of Tarantadong Kalbo, who because famous (or infamous, depending on who you’re asking) because of the Tumindig movement. We picked Baby TK, first and foremost, because we are both millennials, but also because it’s something that we would love to share with our daughter. Something “clean,” if that makes sense.

Cautionary Tales from a Filipino Childhood (Bambi and Roland Amago)

I haven’t heard of the creators of Cautionary Tales from a Filipino Childhood before. I bought this book because growing up, I loved comics and I loved horror stories. It features horror stories that I am familiar with, so I feel right at home with it.

The funny thing is, I bought this for my daughter. Yes, for my three-year-old child. Because I’ve been a child before and I know that someday, she’s going to love comics and she’s going to love horror stories and when she realizes this, I want the perfect book to be there in our bookshelf.

Li’l Bertong Badtrip! (Manix Abrera)

To be honest, next year, I will be celebrating my 20th year of being a Manix Abrera fan. He’s just my favorite artist in all of history and I always wish many more people will read his strips because they. Are. Incredibly. Awesome.

And that’s why I didn’t stop myself from getting a book this year. (Yes, I’ve been hesitating for the last two PBFs for financial reasons.) But things just fell into place this year. In fact, during the opening program, he just ended up sitting next to us! I seriously died.

So, I got “Li’l Bertong Badtrip!” because I reckon it’s the most child-friendly Manix book. He even signed it for Sprout. Yes, I’m expecting her to be a fan and I’m going to start her young.

Sixty Six Book 1 (Russell Molina)

This is not really for Sprout. I got this because one of the kids always bugs me about Book 1, because she really liked Book 2, which we had at the Book Nook. It’s a really evil thing for the NBDB team to give us Book 2 without giving us Book 1 first. They’re good at making sure we will buy Book 1. See, it worked.

Children’s Books

Ang Batang Maraming Bawal (Fernando Rosal Gonzales)

I actually read this book during last year’s PBF and contemplated on buying it because it was only PhP 100.00 and hardbound. But I decided against my own judgment, and actually regretted it. I believe this is a very important book, especially since my little one might grow up developing lots of allergies because Francis and I are both allergic to so many things. Just like Cautionary Tales from above and Dalawa ang Daddy ni Billy, this book has to be in our bookshelf when she starts asking why she can’t do some things.

Ang Mainggiting Kuting and Piknik (Eugene Evasco)

The Pagong and Matsing series from Lampara Publishing is Sprout’s favorite, as I’ve shared before. These two books are the last titles that we’re missing in our collection. I’m so happy that we have completed the books.

Ang Sampayang Bahaghari (Vincent Bryan Umadhay)

In 2023, as I wrote before, I was the runner-up at the Gawad Teodora Alonso – and Sir Vincent Bryan Umadhay was the winner. Twice. That’s everything you need to know about why I bought this book. And honestly, he’s my friend. A very nice, very kind person. Very funny, too. Solid.

But also, this is a book fitting for the theme of this month. This book is his entry during last year’s GTA. It’s a story about the many roles that women play which bring color to the lives of people around them.

Congrats, Sir Vince!

Bahay ng Marami’t Masasayang Tinig (Virgilio S. Almario)

Adarna House was our first stop on our PBF visit, and Sprout was super excited to see the books she has read. The attendants were amused at her knowledge of the titles on their shelves, too. This was what she picked, based, I believe, solely on the cover.

Grandma’s Baked Goodies (Mary Ann Ordinario)

I am a Mary Ann Ordinario fangirl. She’s simply my source of inspiration as a frustrated writer. She has written so many children’s books – I think much more than any Filipina right now – and I want her to write more, a lot more than the overly represented male authors in the Filipino storybook world.

Okay, self, breathe.

But yes, I love Mary Ann Ordinario. Hers are just the most beautiful storybooks I have ever laid my hands on. The stories are simple yet eye-catching The illustrations and layout are always perfect. The book design is just unmatched. It’s like she really takes the time to make her books, especially the big, square ones, so aesthetically pleasing. For the children’s book industry, her books are like… flowers. They beautify the shelves. Ugh, I’m such a fan.

But in all seriousness, I bought this book because it reminded me of my mama. She always bakes with her grandchildren. I know she will love this book because it’s similar to her story. I also know her apos will love this book because it carries their childhood memories inside their lola’s kitchen.

Si Migoy, ang Batang Tausug (Nelson Canlas and Dr. Isabel Cabel Moreno-Go)

This one is the first book I bought at this year’s PBF, bought just two minutes after the event officially opened. Lol. I bought it because I once saw a reel of the Tausug chef that inspired this book. (Not really “inspired”; he is really the character in the book and this is his story.) Because of that reel, I became interested in Tausug food and now I want to go to Tawi-Tawi.

My Mumu sa Loob ng Computer (DM19 JaymeSyfu and GABRIELA)

This one I didn’t really buy. I went to the Tambayang Pambata booth to get the pricelist for the books, and the attending staff said this storybook was for free. I got one copy, planning to put it in the Book Nook. But when I read it, I realized it’s also good for Sprout’s personal library. Since she always cries if we don’t let her watch YouTube, she has to have a book that teaches her the dangers of the Internet.

The Arrogant Ape and the Wise Firefly (Mirana R. Medina-Bhunjun)

Okay, I haven’t read this yet, but it was placed on top of Ang Batang Maraming Bawal at the bottom of the shelf at UST Press’s booth. It was only PhP 50.00 so I got it. Let’s see what this book is about soon.

Books

The Tale of the Morning People (Chayylielle Antazo)

Now, this is one book I have no reason buying. I mean, Sprout is not yet going to read it because it’s a novella with no illustrations. I bought it because it was written by a 10-year-old girl. I want Sprout to grow up knowing for a fact that she can be whatever she wants even at a young age. When she grows up and finds it in our bookshelf, she might be inspired to try doing something she loves.

Oh, and also I got jealous because the kid is a published author at 10. I’m 37.

(O_O)

Anyway, that’s it! These are the books from this year’s PBF. That’s also the most money I spent on books at one time. Buti na lang, our salary came in time. Will we read it? Only time can tell.