Top 5 reasons to visit Manila International Book Fair

Coming by the MIBF is a great way to show your support to the local book industry. But if that still doesn’t make the MIBF worth a trip to SMX Convention Center, this might just convince you. Here are the top 5 things we love about the Fair, in no particular order:

Book overload. Imagine this: piles and piles of books covering an area the size of over 20 basketball courts. More than 100 local and international publishers and suppliers participate in MIBF every year. Make sure to bring your own shopping bags, as Pasay City is a no-plastic-bag zone. And if you’re planning to buy a lot of books, you can do as the regulars do, and bring rolling luggage or strollers — you won’t regret it!

Photo credit: manilabookfair.com

Big discounts. All of the books are sold at huge discounts! Most exhibitors, Adarna House included, also bring out their bargain boxes during the MIBF. These are slightly damaged yet presentable copies sold sometimes at 70% off their original price. Newly-launched titles will also surely be sold at introductory prices. Like we mentioned in our previous post, a lot of people begin their Christmas shopping at the MIBF!

Adarna House booth at 2012 MIBF. Photo (c) Jinggo Montenejo

New books. If you want to find, and/or find out about, the new books the local publishing industry dished out this year, the MIBF is a great one-stop shop for these new reads. Apart from selling fresh-off-the-press books at big promotional discounts, local publishers usually hold mini-launches and promos for these new titles at the Fair.

Book signing. In connection with number 3, book fairs are great opportunities to meet your favorite authors and illustrators! Publishers invite their new and best selling book creators to visit the booths and sign their books for the readers. Some people even go to all five days of the Fair, bringing their old books each day to have them signed by the authors and illustrators visiting the booths. (This year, most of our book creators will be coming by on Saturday, September 14.)

Freebie galore. Raffles, giveaways, sample items, and merchandise — if your bags aren’t stuffed enough with books, they will definitely spill over with the freebies given away by the exhibitors. There are freebies that come with every purchase, special freebies that only come with specific purchases, and super-special freebies with super-special circumstances. Apart from these usual freebies, here are what we’ve prepared this year:

A special limited edition “Life gets bitter” bookmark for the first 100 purchases
of Alamat ng Ampalaya, to celebrate Ampalaya’s 18th birthday.

Tweet about why you like our books (@AdarnaHouse), or comment on this photo on our Facebook page, to tell us why you love our books, and come by our MIBF booth to claim free merchandise with your purchase! (Only 50 sets available per day.)

First 30 kids to come in a Katipunero outfit on Sunday (Sep15) at our MIBF booth get free merchandise and a book!

We bet you’re already printing out these free downloadable tickets! Kitakits!