Clear your schedules, bibliophiles—the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) is making its highly anticipated return from September 10 to 14, 2025, at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
Photo: MIBF
Now in its 45th year, MIBF holds the crown as the country’s biggest and longest-running book fair. While the discounted titles alone are enough to get readers buzzing, this year’s event promises so much more. Spanning two entire floors of the SMX, it’s a literary wonderland where you can spend hours browsing, meeting authors, and exploring the many ways stories are told today.
The 2025 theme, “Stories in Every Form,” reflects the ongoing evolution of storytelling. Gone are the days when stories existed only in printed books.
Today, they flourish through comics, graphic novels, audiobooks, podcasts, digital platforms, and other creative media. From heart-stopping thrillers and cozy romances to historical biographies and fantastical manga series, MIBF will have something that speaks to every kind of reader.
“MIBF has always been a place of discovery, and this year, we’re spotlighting how stories connect with us through various mediums,” said Irene Lloren, President of Primetrade Asia, Inc., the event’s organizer. “Stories in Every Form describes the dynamic nature of literature and content creation today.”
Over a hundred local and international exhibitors are set to fill the halls. Expect big names like Adarna House, Anvil Publishing, Ateneo de Manila University Press, Comic Odyssey, Fully Booked, National Book Store, and Summit Publishing, among many others.
The fair is also home to smaller presses, independent creators, and niche specialty stores that often surprise visitors with unique finds you won’t see in your average mall bookstore.
The MIBF lineup also includes author meet-and-greets, book launches, panel discussions, workshops for aspiring writers, and activities for educators.
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If you’ve ever told yourself you’d wait until “next time” to go, consider this your sign. MIBF only happens once a year, and for five glorious days, you can immerse yourself in a world where every corner promises a new discovery.
What’s the one book you absolutely can’t leave MIBF without this year? Let us know in the comments.
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