From March 13 to 16, Adarna House, along with our imprint Anino Comics, participated in the Philippine Book Festival at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall!
Organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), The Philippine Book Festival (PBF) is a book fair that champions the celebration of Philippine literature, culture, and art. This year’s theme for PBF was Filipino Fiestas, featuring interactive activities that highlight the different traditions and cultures of various provinces and regions. Readers from all over the Metro attended the fair, which drew over 50,000 visitors.
New WiKAHON Launched
Adarna House reintroduced its leveled reading tool, WiKAHON—a collection of leveled reading materials and activities designed to be effective in teaching reading and writing in Filipino—at the UNBOXING THE NEW and UPDATED WIKAHON. WiKAHON is now available in both Filipino and English, along with the improved WiKAHON Pre-A, now upgraded to WiKAHON Phonics, which uses the Marungko and Fuller Approach, systematic methods of introducing phonemes and letters.
The unboxing was presented by our very own Teacher Sarah Edjan, Education Specialist for Adarna House, alongside Teacher Tina Zamora, an expert on Family Life and Child Development. Also there to answer questions were our consultants for WiKAHON Teacher Portia Padilla, Language and Literacy Education Program Chair at UP Open University, and Teacher Felicitas Pado, retired professor of the College of Education at UP Diliman and author of several workbooks for students and teachers of reading and beginning literacy.
For more information about our new WiKAHON, check out our explainer video here: https://bit.ly/WiKAHON
If you are also interested in purchasing WiKAHON for your school or home, please don’t hesitate to contact us at kaibigan@adarna.com.ph.
Adarna Book Creators Attend!
The highlight of the festival was, of course, our two-day book signing event! Our talented book creators and illustrators were excited to meet with our wonderful readers and visitors.
On the third day of the festival, we had the pleasure of welcoming Chuckberry Pascual, author of Mars, May Zombie and Mars, Maraming Zombie; Inigo Fadul, illustrator of Mars, May Zombie and Mars, Maraming Zombie; Joel Donato Ching Jacob, author of Wayang Alimagnum; Mon Sy, author of Mga Tagapagtanggol ng Lupang Ninuno and Si Laleng at ang Lakbay Paaralan; and Ara Villena, illustrator of Mga Tagapagtanggol ng Lupang Ninuno, Tara Itok, Si Laleng at ang Lakbay Paaralan, and May Alaga Akong Bakulaw.
On the final day of the festival, our very own president, Asa Montenejo, illustrator of May Mga Bulaklak, Paruparong Bukid, Mga Araw ng Linggo joined the book signing along with our German writer Lawrence Schimel, author of Isang Umaga and Tulog Na; Ivan Reverente, illustrator of Lakbay Masjid and Prooot!, Angela Taguiang-Reverente, illustrator of Mga Sasakyang Pandagat ng Pilipinas; and Maria Bernadette Abrera, PhD, author of Mga Sasakyang Pandagat ng Pilipinas.
Anino Comics also held a two-day book signing event at the Philippine Book Festival, featuring three of its awesome komikeros. On the third day, Ace Enriquez, illustrator of Lunatics and Josefina, joined us to sign comics and share his original artworks with fans.
On the final day of the festival, Lucia Asul, writer and illustrator of Lucia Dreaming, had a sold-out book signing event. Emiliana Kampilan, writer and illustrator of Dead Balagtas, Tomo 1: Mga Sayaw ng Dagat at Lupa, made a special appearance, marking her return to book signings after several years.
WHATS NEXT?
We are grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating the magic of Philippine literature and art at the Philippine Book Festival! A huge thank you to the National Book Development Board for making this festival possible!
The fun and enchantment of stories don’t end here. We’re also gearing up for the Manila International Book Fair this September and we can’t wait to share more stories and joy with everyone. Stay tuned!