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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Arts and Culture devider Back and bigger than ever: The Philippine Readers & Writers Festival returns, now with Komikon

Back and bigger than ever: The Philippine Readers & Writers Festival returns, now with Komikon

Happening at National Book Store, Araneta City Cubao

Published Aug 4, 2026 02:40 pm
National Book Store (NBS), the country’s largest bookstore chain, proudly presents the return of its flagship literary event: Philippine Readers & Writers Festival (PRWF) from August 14 to 16, 2026 (Friday to Sunday).
It is now happening at the 2nd and 3rd floors of the NBS Building in Araneta City Cubao, easily accessible via a multitude of transport options, from the nearby MRT to buses and jeepneys. This year’s Festival is the largest iteration in history, featuring over 40 events celebrating Filipino creativity, literature, and storytelling. And as with previous events, entry is completely free!
Book Launches, Panel Discussions, and Workshops
PRWF 2026 marks a historic milestone with its first-ever partnership with Komikon—the Philippines' first and longest-running annual comic book fan convention, founded in 2005 to celebrate local Pinoy komiks and visual creators.
The Festival brings together an unprecedented lineup of publisher-led sessions, workshops, and panel discussions that cater to storytellers and bookworms.
For Aspiring Authors & Illustrators
- From Reality to Fiction: Finding Stories Around Us, a panel discussion with Ronaldo Vivo Jr., Alvin Yapan, & Douglas Candano (Penguin SEA)
- Author Branding 101: Why Authors Should Treat Themselves as a Brand, an insightful talk by Kath C. Eustaquio-Derla (Paperkat Books)
- Manuscript Clinic: Meet the Editors, a special editorial consultation with R. Jordan P. Santos & Kath C. Eustaquio-Derla (Anvil Publishing & Paperkat Books)
For BookTok, Romance, & Young Adult Readers
- From the Philippines to the Bestseller List, a conversation between New York Times Bestselling Authors Thea Guanzon & Samantha Sotto-Yambao (Penguin Random House)
- BookTok, Trends, and Tropes: An Unfiltered Discussion with Filipino Book Content Creators, a panel discussion with Andrea Panaligan, Cedrix Eligio, Jucelle Garcia, Koji Arsua, & MJ Ampolitod-Busa
- Why Readers Keep Falling in Love with Romance, a panel discussion with Mica de Leon, Kyra Ysabel, Ines Bautista-Yao, & Bea Bustamante (Penguin Random House SEA)
- Flutter Fic Book Launch: Wake Up, Dreamers and You Again by AnakNiRizal & La Tigresa (Anvil Publishing)
For Komiks, Graphic Novel, & Pop Culture Enthusiasts
- 20 Years of KOMIKON and Pinoy Komiks, a retrospective talk with Jon Zamar (Komikon)
- Kenkoy and Velasquez, Continuing the Legacy, a talk on pop culture heritage with Ian Velasquez (Komikon)
- The Notebook: The Musical special live cast appearance and performance (Theatre Group Asia)
For Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, & Sci-Fi Fans
- What Makes Filipino Sci-Fi Feel Filipino, a panel discussion with Lucia Asul, John Ray, & Borg Sinaban (Makiling Made / Raygun Press)
- Building Worlds, Creating Monsters, a world-building panel with Karl de Mesa, Bea Bustamante, & Anthony Shieh — Penguin Random House SEA
- Where Horror Comes Home, a talk by the Queen of Philippine Horror Stories, Yvette Tan (Anvil Publishing)
For Foodies, History Buffs, & Growth Seekers
- Book signing with acclaimed historian and bestselling author Ambeth Ocampo (Anvil Publishing)
- Simpol Kitchen Stories, a talk and book signing with Chef Tatung (Vertikal-Kreatives)
- My Name is Morena, an inspiring conversation and book signing with Ayn Bernos & Myrza Sison (Summit Books)
- Rising Tigers Magazine Signing with former Cong. Mikee Romero, Atty. George Erwin M. Garcia, & Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas (TAG Media and Public Relations)
For Parents, Educators, & Young Readers
- Makulay na Lakbay sa Bawat Linya, a middle-grade fiction discussion with Christine S. Bellen-Ang (Adarna House)
- Lifebooks Book Launch, a multi-author fiction showcase with Mayumi Cruz, VChesterG, Jonquil, & Keira Viresse (Acts 29 Publishing)
Discounts, Freebies, & More Deals
Apart from the multitude of talks, launches, and masterclasses, Festival attendees will also get to enjoy:
- Get up to 20% OFF on new releases and bestselling local and imported books
- Shop for sulit reads for as low as ₱99 and Buy More, Get More offers on participating titles
- Use free, limited edition stamps to decorate your books, journals, and planners
- Freebies & prizes from publishers and partners
- Free skeks cards drawn by a komiks exhibitor (first 100 attendees only)
- Free entrance passes to MIBF 2026
- Get to present your manuscript to publishing experts
- Opportunities to network with fellow authors, artists, readers, and publishers
Visit this page for the full event schedule and more details. Follow National Book Store on social media for more updates — @nationalbookstore on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok, @nbsalert on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

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