Discounted books and Kobo (Philippines) Launching: Courtesy of Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) 2013

THE RAIN POURED SO HARD but it did not stop me to catch the last hours of MIBF on its final day in SMX Convention Hall Complex last week. This is a 5-day event and still I did the last-minute visit to the venue despite the heavy rain pouring the metropolis. Thanks to MRT and I reached the venue 2 hours prior to closing!

One of the highlights of my visit was a friendly chat to the product representative of Kobo e-reader. Through National Bookstore, this latest gadget is introduced to the Filipino readers and officially launched in NBS website over the weekend. Technical features and specifications for Kobo Tablet and eReader are already posted for browsing and for possible online orders/purchases. I'm already a member Kobo-Hongkong using my playbook Blackberry since last year. Once in a while, it offers discounted rates thru its regular newsletter send to members. The Hunger Games (Part 1) is my first e-book purchased from the website. For easy access to Filipino ebooks with Philippine peso tag prices, I decided to open an account in Kobo-Philippines.

Unfortunately, it is currently experiencing technical problem after I upgraded the current version of the application in my playbook gadget. However, I can access my e-books library using other computer units in the internet cafe/shop.

Only four books I managed to buy from the event. Two books (Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less; Cat O'Nine Tales) by Jeffrey Archer at PhP20 each from Goodwill Bookstore; only one book from NBS entitled The God of Small Things (A Booker Prize Winner); and two books (Alex Cross, Run of James Patterson; and Building and Managing Ebook Collections) courtesy of iFlickPhotoBook as souvenir deals for a photo shoot (as shown above).

3 Main Reasons why you have to visit Manila International Book Fair 2013

There are good reasons why you should attend or visit this annual event at SMX Convention Center, near Mall of Asia (MOA), Pasay City (Philippines) from 11 - 15 September.

1. This is the  biggest bookselling event of the year in the country. More distributors, publishers, bookstores participate, including popular writers for book signing.

2. Thousands of books at one place. It is showcasing the largest and varied  collection of books - from academic to reference materials, from magazines to graphic novels, and even e-books to multimedia products and services.

3. This also offering special events for book fanatics - from quiz bee competitions to storytelling, and poetry reading to book launches, including conferences for academic, professional and personal interests on social media, and math and science competency, and classroom management. Several activities to increase the awareness of the Filipinos towards a different level of reading experience.

To get free passes for the book fair, visit the nearest National BookStore branch at your locality. As one of the major exhibitors of the event, National Bookstore (NBS) also organized a book signing for three popular female writers: Melissa de la Cruz, Alyson Noel and Margaret Stohl on 15 September at 2pm. They will also visiting other NBS branches on  13 September, 6pm - Activity Center, Ayala Center, Cebu City, 14 September, 4pm -The Podium Atrium, Mandaluyong City.

Now showing at MIBF 2012

33rd Manila International Book Fair

Venue: SMX Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Philippines; 12-16 September 2012 As one of the longest-running book fairs in Asia, the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) is also considered one of the most accessible venues for showcasing published works. For book lovers, this event is something not to be missed!

The place where you could find all types of publications - from educational prints or just for personal reading interest. According to its official website, by joining or being present at the MIBF, it somehow paves way to  business opportunities for entrepreneurs to a wider audience of different generations, backgrounds and cultures. For more information, please contact PRIMEMEDIA ASIA, INC. (info@primediaasia.com) or CLICK HERE.