As longtime followers of the Urban Roamer would know, it has been an annual tradition of sorts for this roamer to visit the annual Manila International Book Fair or MIBF. It has been a tradition that has been followed long before this site was put up, being a longtime bookworm and bibliophile of sorts.
As it has been in previous years, the Manila International Book Fair 2015 is being held at the SMX Convention Center, graced with the presence of various book stores, publishers, and educational providers, among others to showcase their latest titles, as well as some bargains on other publications.
This year’s MIBF showcased some trends and developments in publishing that have been around for more than year that are still around, as well as some new ones that have come into focus these past few months this year.
One of those new developments is the ongoing development of the K to 12 curricula that local academic publishers are preoccupied with at this time. A number of these K to 12 compliant textbooks have already been published, with other titles expected to be released by the end of the year or early next year at the latest, most notably textbooks for Grades 11 ot 12 AKA senior high school.
Another trend in this year’s MIBF is the growing popularity of adult coloring books, not to mention coloring pencils as well which are to be used for these coloring books instead of crayons.
As always, each exhibitor has some bargains to offer, not to mention special events like autograph signing sessions with various authors and other personalities who have works about them being published this year.
The Urban Roamer has to give a special mention though to the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino which is making an effort this year in publishing some interesting works in the Filipino language, like new editions of classic Philippine writings by Apolinario Mabini, Zoilo Hilario, Huseng Sisiw, and Norberto Romualdez, as well as Filipino translations of international works like Metamorphosis of Franz Kafka, Gijantali of Rabindranath Tagore, and The Necklace and Other Stories by Guy de Maupassant.
The Manila International Book Fair will run until Sunday, September 20 so do check it out and see what Philippine and global literature has to offer this year.
