By Hannah Johnson | @HannahSJohnson
In a video discussion with Publishing Perspectives, Filipino publisher Karina Bolasco shares her observations of the transformation of the Philippine book market, setting the stage for the country’s upcoming role as Guest of Honor at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair.Bolasco, a long-time publishing industry veteran with more than four decades in the business, talks about the growing support for local writers in the Philippines and the increased publication of works in Filipino languages. Her narrative is not just a reflection of past changes but also a spotlight on the importance of cultural representation in a market historically dominated by imported English-language books.
As the head of the literary program for the Guest of Honor Philippines project, part of Bolasco’s responsibility is to amplify Filipino voices on the global stage and curate a collection of 500 titles for the guest of honor pavilion next year. Her vision for the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, she says, is not just about displaying books; it’s about offering an experience that reveals the spirit of Filipino literature.
The interview also explores the burgeoning interest in Filipino literature from international markets, particularly in genres like children’s literature and graphic novels. Bolasco says there is potential for Filipino works to find global audiences, noting the strategic advantage of having a wealth of English-language titles ready for international publication.
Bolasco at the 2024 Frankfurt Book Fair
October 16
1 t0 2 p.m. at the Frankfurt International Stage (Hall 5.1)
Book Story: Some People Need Killing: An Account of Murder in my Country — Event details
This book since its release by Random House in October 2023 has topped many bestselling lists. It documents the thousands of Filipinos killed by extrajudicial death squads and vigilantes during the administration of the president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte. It does more than report and record, it also tells the stories of families orphaned and left behind by the thousands dead. Here is the story of the book: from the author’s compulsion to write it, all to the book tours worldwide the author has gone on and continues to take.
Speakers:
- Patricia Evangelista (journalist and author)
- Moderated by Karina Bolasco, (curator Guest of Honor Philippines 2025)
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October 17
9:45 – 10:45 in Frankfurt Pavilion (on the Agora)
Guest of Honor 2025 Philippines: Preview Press Conference — Event details
Speakers:
- Dante Francis Ang II, National Book Development Board (NBDB)
- Eric B. Zerrudo, Ph.D., Executive Director, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
- Hon. Irene Susan B. Natividad, Ambassador, Philippine Embassy to Berlin
- Dr. Patrick D. Flores, Curator, Philippine Pavilion
- Karina Bolasco, Head of Literary Program / Curator for Books
- Dr. Jaya Jacobo, Transfeminine Thinker
- Ferdinand Benedict “Budjette” Tan, Author/Creator of Trese Comic
More from Publishing Perspectives on Frankfurt’s 2025 Guest of Honor Philippines program is here, more on the Philippine market is here, more on guest of honor programs in world publishing’s book fairs and trade shows is here, and more on Frankfurter Buchmesse is here.