At Frankfurt’s guest of honor handover ceremony, the honor passing from Italy (2024) to the Philippines (2025). Image: FBM, Marc Jacquemin
By Hannah Johnson | @HannahSJohnson
An Asian Publishing Market’s Programming
Made up of 7,641 islands, the Philippines is a diverse country with 183 languages and a growing local book industry, thanks to government support and favorable legislation. (Look for Publishing Perspectives’ Frankfurt Book Fair Show Magazine to read more about the Filipino book market.)Ahead of its guest of honor year at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, the Philippines is bringing a contingent of more than 70 authors, publishers, and creatives to Frankfurt next week to build up visibility and industry connections.
Alongside this programming, the country’s National Book Development Board has prepared rights lists of more than 700 titles in multiple genres to boost translation sales this year and to introduce more international publishers to Filipino writing.
Here in the week before Frankfurt begins, Publishing Perspectives has chosen a few standout events from the Philippines’ 2024 program for you to consider for your schedule. See these event listings below.
Wednesday, October 16
12 to 1 p.m. at the Asia Stage, Hall 5.1, A100
What Asia Reads: A Deep Dive into Trends
Accounting for nearly 60 percent of the world’s population, Asia presents a vast and diverse readership. But what do the numbers really tell us? This session examines current reading trends and challenges, from colonial influences to the rise of mother-tongue literacy, providing a nuanced understanding of Asia’s reading culture. With: Kristine Mandigma (Vibal Group), Faiz Al Shahab (Co-Founder Xentral Methods Ltd, Malaysia). Moderated by Niel Kenneth Jamandre (Professor, College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines). Event details
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2 to 3 p.m. at the Asia Stage, Hall 5.1, A100
Overview of Book Markets in Asia
Asia’s publishing scene is as dynamic as it is diverse. Despite the influx of content from Western markets, Asian publishers are making waves with their rich storytelling and cultural insights. Explore the unique challenges and opportunities in the region. With: GeumJoo Lin (CO.MINT); Sheikh Faisal (Malaysian Book Publishers Association); and Andrea Pasion-Flores (Miflores Publishing), India’s Pranav Gupta, Yani Kurniawan (Tuttle-Mori Agency). Moderated by Anthony John Balisi (Director, National Book Development Board). Event details
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2 to 3 p.m. at the Arts+ Stage, Hall 4.1
Paper Skin and Dotting Eyes: A Conversation on Nuance and Representation in Children’s Books
In an increasingly globalized world, diversity and representation have become central to children’s literature, and creativity is facing new priorities. Two distinguished illustrators from the Philippines engage in a discussion on the issues confronting their work and its implications for both their local markets and those who serve an international audience. Join them in moving past notions of ‘best practices’ to arrive at truly equitable artistic expression. With: Isabel Roxas and Fran Alvarez, moderated by Ani Almario. Event details
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4 to 5 p.m. at the Asia Stage, Hall 5.1, A100
Cross Interactions between Asia and the West
Distribution channels of content have historically been concentrated in the West, standing in stark contrast to the lack of robust exchanges in regions such as Southeast Asia. This session tackles ongoing efforts in the region to increase cultural exchange and repatriate its stories. With: Mara Coson (Exploding Galaxies publishing house), Segundo Matias (publisher and writer), Prashant Patak. Moderated by Charisse Aquino-Tugade (National Book Development Board, Philippines). Event details
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Thursday, October 17
10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Asia Stage, Hall 5.1, A100
Asia’s Bestsellers Showcase
Asia has the world’s biggest populations. It’s only logical to expect that the world’s bestselling titles should be from these most populous countries: Indonesia, India, and China. These countries talk about their bestselling titles. Event detail
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12 to 1 p.m. at the International Stage, Hall 5.1
When History Haunts Literature: A Conversation
Philippine national hero Jose Rizal’s revolutionary novel Noli Me Tangere (1887) has been the model novel for most of its country’s fiction writers over the years. There was a decade when you might even have heard from critics and literature teachers: ‘Is this work the next Noli?’ This conversation, between the Philippines’ main specialist on Rizal and a multi-awarded fiction writers, will look into convergences between history and literature. With: Ambeth Ocampo (history scholar) and Jose Dalisay Jr. (author), moderated by Angelo Lacuesta. Event details
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4 to 5 p.m. at the Asia Stage, Hall 5.1, A100
Asia: A Vibrant Literary Market
Dynamic and rapidly evolving, the Asian literary market now offers an interesting range of book options to international publishers in Europe. With: Kristian Cordero (writer and translator), and Singapore’s Edmund Wee (Epigram Books), Adi Ekatama (Gramedia), Sabine Mueller (translator). Moderated by Anthony John Balisi. Event details
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5 to 6 at the Philippines stand, Hall 5.1, A76
Philippine Reception
Co-presented with the Philippine consulate-general in Frankfurt, the Philippine reception is a wonderful opportunity to gather with talented authors; dive into a rich variety of literary works; and connect with new friends and fellow creative workers. Event details
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Friday, October 18
10 to 11 a.m. at the New Adult Stage, Hall 1.2
Success Stories in the World of New Adult and Fantasy
Two Asian young women behind FairyLoot and RomanceClass share their adventures in starting and growing creative business models now breaking into the literary world market. As writer and mentor, and as curator and book reseller, both explore new ways to diversify new adult romance. With: Mina Esguerra (Author, Founder of RomanceClass) and Anissa de Gomery. Moderated by Gaston Rippinger. Event details
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1 to 2 p.m. at the Asia Stage, Hall 5.1,A100
Women and Publishing in Asia
Women are leading the way in reshaping Asia’s publishing industry. Join this session to celebrate the women in the publishing industry, their achievements, challenges, and the innovative ways they’re driving change in the literary world. With: Danda Crimelda Buhain (Chief External Affairs Officer, Rex Education), Katrina Stuart Santiago (CEO, Everything’s Fine), Mina Esguerra (Author, Founder of RomanceClass). Moderated by Charisse Aquino-Tugade (Executive Director, National Book Development Board). Event details
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2 to 3 p.m. at the Arts+ Stage, Hall 4.1
The Art of Trese: From Comics to Animé
A Philippine prize-winning advertising director, now a creative director at LEGO (Denmark), shares the journey of comics art from his bestselling book Trese on to animé. The film, available in Filipino, English, and Japanese, became one of the Top 10 on Netflix. With: Budjette Tan (Trese author). Moderated by Paolo Herras. Event details
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3 to 4 p.m. at the Asia Stage, Hall 5.1, A100
Translations: A One-Way Street?
Translation rights in Asia often move predominantly from West to East. This session explores how to reverse the trend, promoting greater exchange of literary works in Asia and opening up new opportunities for Asian authors and publishers. With: Annette Hug (translator); Hope Yu (University of San Carlos); Jan Karsten (CulturBooks),and Yani Kurniawan (Tuttle-Mori Agency). Moderated by Kristian Cordero (writer and translator). Event details
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.