The 35th Manila International Book Fair

Besides the usual annual celebrations that we have like Christmases, New Years, Birthdays, and a lot more, visiting and shopping books at Manila International Book Fair is tradition that I always look forward to. Una akong nakapunta and una kong nalaman ang MIBF during my first year college and I was really amazed by this huge event. Ang daming libro and for bookworms like me, you'll definitely drown yourself with so much excitement of touring around and hunting for new babies (aka books). MIBF is an annual event that happens for five consecutive days usually at the month of September or near October. Ang marker ko dito dati nung college is pag finals na namin, mag bo-book fair na ulit. And this year's book fair had again been a blast and I was so blessed to be able to visit it. Here's my experience. :)

I was literally jumping and running with excitement as I approach the SMX Convention of Mall of Asia. Sobrang ipinag-pray ko itong araw na 'to. The day before this kasi, umuulan ng malakas dahil sa Habagat+Bagyong Mario. I was praying so hard the whole day of Friday that God would stop the rain and give us a sunny day so I can attend the book fair. If you happen to view my statuses on FB, I was hoping MIBF could be extended even just for a day. So to cut the long story short, I woke up Saturday (September 20, 2014) morning and the first thing that greeted me is this bright sunny day that I had been praying for. From then, I know I could finally go and visit MIBF. :) I can't describe to you dear reader how happy I had been this day. It's like finally meeting my prince charming and I had been exaggerating. Haha. I promised I will take a lot of pictures. :) Nag-aya ako ng friends but due to conflicts of schedules, ako nalang natuloy mag-isa. I was blessed for there is this man, na nagbabantay ng baggage counter, and I asked him na picturan niya ko. Ayos naman. Haha. Buti nalang magaling kumuha si kuya. :D And here we could see some of the visitors who also took pictures. :)

Me and the Book Mascot

I don't know if he is MIBF's official mascot but he sure is generous to allow photos taken with him. :) There at my back is the registration booth where I was exempted. Ganoon talaga pag anak ng Diyos! Praise God of OMF Lit's free ticket. :D Hindi ko alam kung magkano ang entrance pero I was so blessed dahil imbes na pang-entrance ko, pambili ko nalang ng libro. Of course mas mahal sa hindi estudyante. And I cannot pretend to be a student even if I look like one. Haha.

The OMF Literature Booth at Aisle J.

 This is the booth where I stopped first. Grabeng feeling ang makapasok and ma-experience ulit ang book fair. I know I sound exaggerating here and lot of people may not relate with me. But think of a place that you love and enjoy going to na hindi mo napuntahan for a very long time and finally being able to visit. It is really euphoria. And I am really blessed. Tumakbo talaga ako mahanap lang yung aisle J. Now, ano ba yung mga aisle? 

The letters signify the aisles.

There at the ceiling are banners of letters that shows the aisles of specific booths. And OMF Literature is at aisle J. One thing that I love and look forward to every MIBF is the discounts that one could get with the books that each section offers. At OMF Lit, they offer different discounts on various Christian Books and Bibles. Nakakatuwang isipin because those books can be costly at their regular prices and being at MIBF, makakatipid ka talaga. :)

Me and Pastor Ronald Molmisa

Aside from the discounts that I had been wanting from the book fair, I also look forward for book signings. And, pangalawang pagkakataon ko palang na makapagpa-book sign sa kanya. He is Pastor Ronald Molmisa, author of the Lovestruck series. Nakaka-bless ang mga libro niya and ayan sa sobrang excitement hindi ko naipakita yung mga nabili ko. Haha. I actually bought two books for the other one would be for my friend. Sobrang approachable ni Pastor even sa Facebook and one could really share and ask advice from him with regards to relationship problems. 'Yon kasi ang theme ng mga libro niya. I can say that he is my favorite Filipino Christian author and praise God for all the books that he published. Madaming tao na ang na touch ng Panginoon through his books and also through his life for he constantly shares encouragements sa Facebook at just about anything but most especially on things that can edify God. 

Ngiting wagi with my new books! :D

Sa labas na ko nakapag-papicture. Humahaba na kasi ang pila sa book signing ni Pastor Molmisa and to give way for the others, mabilisang picture na ang naganap. Hindi naman talaga ako nag-iisa sa MIBF. I bumped into one of my college friend and I'm so happy to have a photographer este book fair buddy. It's not that I am a loner, but I enjoy going around MIBF alone. :) It's like having a date with my loves (the books) and I wouldn't prefer a companion. :) Haha.

Pastor Molmisa's dedication for me.

Praise God for this short message that Pastor Molmisa had for me. "Delight yourself in the Lord always!" I don't believe in coincidences. Ito kasi yung covenant ko ngayon sa Panginoon. Siya muna at wala nang iba and that I would want to feel this intimacy that none of this world but only the Lord could provide. Sakto talaga yung message saakin. :) Pati yung sa friend ko. :) Pastors really have this gift of knowing what message to give that could really touch lives. Of course, this is only possible because of anointing from the Lord. It is only a few pages and malapit ko na siyang matapos dahil page turner talaga ang librong ito. Haha. I will write a review for this and how it personally touched me at a separate post. :) Stay tuned. :D

As of now, the complete Lovestruck Series.

 And here is my collection of the Lovestruck Series. :) I did not buy them all at once sa MIBF. It was 2012 when I first had my copy of the white book. And I can't remember na yung mga taon kung kelan ko nabili yung red and black book. As much as I would want to describe the whole Lovestruck series, hindi ko isusulat yun dito and I would write a separate post for them. :)

These are the books that God gave me at MIBF. :) So aside from the Lovestruck: Sakit Edition book, I also bought "Ikaw Na Ang Maganda; How to be Beautiful Inside and Out" written by author Malu Ortiz at the booth of OMF Literature. These two books cost Php 75.00 but one could have it at its discounted price of Php 52.50. Sulit. :) I am halfway this book and so far, it is also amazing. :) The other books are from another booth named CSM. I had each for only Php 100.00. I am blessed with what God had given me because to some it may seem that I only bought very few, because most of MIBF's customers really bought lots of books. But I am contented with them.

The book fair also had there Food Area. Syempre para hindi ka na lalabas. Haha. Pero hindi ako kumain diyan. I was just showing this for information purposes. Haha.

PCBS, another booth that sells Christian books. Sorry for the blurry pic.

And I would be looking forward to the next Manila International Book Fair next year. I thank God for He did train me to read books since I was little. I don't know if there is a scientific basis for it but my mom told me she always read me books nung buntis pa siya saakin. Reading books is a great hobby. It is not boring. With books, one could travel to different places, meet new people, experience different cultures, and see the world at a different, better view. Walang movie and kayang i-portray ang isang novel perfectly. What I mean is, for me, books tell us great stories and knowledge than any media can. And for those who haven't experience MIBF this year, we all still have next year. :D I am praying it will still forever be at SMX for it is so convenient. :) God bless you kapatid! See you at next post! :D