The Bookworms

Book lovers are like children in a playground whenever there's book fairs. Imagine the so many possibilities reading could bring. Imagine the knowledge, the inspiration and a whole new world. In 2010,Google estimated that since the invention of printing, approximately 130,000,000 unique titles had been published.

On September 12-16, 2012 at SMX Convention Center at Pasay City, the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) will bring books closer to the Filipinos hearts once again by promoting good reading habits and providing a venue for the exchange of ideas among the players in the industry which they are doing for 33 years now.

The MIBF will showcase thousands of books from different publishers with a varied of collections from literature, leisure, kids, humor to academic reading such as textbooks, education supplements, general reference, inspirational, motivational, religious, management, Filipiniana, coffee table books, popular novels, childrens books, art books, graphic novels, magazines and all kinds of books for all book lovers.

The newest addition to make the fair complete is the introduction of the "Bookworms" or more like the book ambassadors banded together because of their love of books. The “bookworms” are composed of four celebrities who are successful in their own field. These are Ramon Bautista, Charles "Carlos" Celdran, Stanley Chi and Arvin "Tado" Jimenez. The "Bookworms" made a series of videos for the fair aiming to entice, encourage and empower people and book lovers to come to this special event that will surely gives more than the information a reader need.

A media event was held at Romulo Cafe last August 29, 2012 to introduce the "Bookworms". Attended by Arvin Jimenez and Stanley Chi who brought their own favorite books and shared the importance and benefits of reading. According to Jimenez, his first book "Mga kasinungalingang pwedeng sabihin sa mga mangmang" features his thoughts and anecdotes about life and other hilarious stories. He has followed this up with "Nagiisa lang ako."

Jimenez or famously known as "Tado" is not just a comedianne, a book lover and author but an advocate as well. Graduated from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), he is advocating good governance and environment. Tado is a member of "Stand LB" or Stand Los Banos that aims to disseminate information about the Laguna De Bay, Mount Makiling conservation and good governance for this Science City.

A graduate of Fine Arts, a Manila Bulletin cartoonist and a stand up commediane, Stanley Chi proved that he is not "Suplado." Chi introduced his two books, the " Suplado Tips 1 and 2" which is a best selling book and you can have those at the leading bookstores in the country.

Through the help of technology (Skype) the renown and best tour guide, activist and actor who was suffering from bronchitis that time hence the absence, Carlos Celdran shared his favorite books to the media. With more than 100,000 followers on Twitter and multiple accounts at Facebook with so many friends because of his advocacies that are supported by many Filipinos, Celdran is just fit to be one of the "Bookworms." According to him from a text message about the importance of Reading “ It expands your mind. It shows you things and places you would otherwise not see.”

I will not let book fairs like this to be finish without my attendance. I will definitely bring my children to experience the possibilities. Technology might be the easiest way to get knowledge but there's always happiness in reading through old fashioned way of having ideas through books.

MIBF is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc. (ACCI), Oversseas Publishers Representatives Association of the Philippines ( OPRAP), and Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc. (PBAI). For details, call 8960661, 8960683 or email to bookfair@primetradeasia.com.