SMX Convention Center , Pasay City , Metro Manila – Philippines
SMX main lobby
It was a cloudy day when i went to the SMX Convention Center, I was not able to catch -up on the opening day of the 33rd Manila Intentional Book fair due to a lot of work and prior commitments.
I was given some complimentary tickets from my regular buyers “suki ” and friends from the bookstore industry . Unfortunately , some of the regular participants during the book fair seems to be absent.
Goodwill Bookstore booth
1.) Great Discounts on Books and other Reading Materials.
Goodwill Bookstore is the first booth that i have visited during the exhibition, This is one of the oldest bookstore established in 1937 that is still existing in the country. Last year we were invited to the book launching of “Philippine Native Orchid Species ” by Mr. Jim Cootes .
Website: http://goodwillbookstore.com/content/17-philippine-native-orchid-species
This year, while chatting with some Goodwill store marketing personnel – I saw ” Bonsai & Suiseki ” Trees & Stones … in Harmony ( hardbound ) – This book was printed in 2004 and is being sold for just Php 150 ! I quickly check the hardbound book ( for any lost pages and quality check) and immediately paid for the book . While paying , the cashier told me that I have an eye for books ! then quickly recognized me , ” Hindi ba ikaw ang parati kasama namin tuwing may -orchid show” ? LOL . Yes! I quickly told , the cashier . Goodwill Bookstore used to participate in orchid shows as stall holders selling various orchid and gardening books . Then the cashier told me that the book that i have purchased is indeed a great bargain. They used to sell that for almost a thousand pesos !
Array of books being sold at a bargain price
2.) Meeting Friends and People within the industry
Mr. Jojo Manzano of Unveiled at Last revised by the author
CSM bookstore is one of the 200 plus bookstores , publisher and distributor which participated in the book fair. CSM is the number one provider of christian resources in the Philipines.
Church Strengthening Ministry, Inc. CSM Bldg., Pascor Drive ,Sto. Nino, Parañaque City , 1704 Philippines
Tel. (632) 852-7301 to 04
Fax. (632) 851-0170
E-mail: direct@csm-publishing.com
Website : http://www.csm-publishing.org/
3.) Meet Your Favorite authors, cartoonist and illustrators
Ms. Sharron Navera author of Haunted TV Shows
Went to the booth of PSICOM Publishing Company and bought 3 books , 2 books written by Mr. Stanley Chi (Suplado Tips 1 and Pogi Points )
Website : http://www.stanleychi.net/
Ms. Sharron Navera author of ( Haunted TV Shows) i got a chance to interview her despite her hectic schedule. Some of the books that she wrote are re-published again . I left the 2 other books with Ms. Jem Doromal with the receipt and my business card hoping to let Mr. Stanley Chi autograph the book, The book signing is scheduled tomorrow September 15, 2012. I normally would buy books and leave them to the publisher for autograph signing, But this is my first time to leave the books with the PSI company ( I have no idea if they will let the author sign it ? or will just put them in a corner ?) . The book is quite cheap, However since the paper is just like newspaper type , I am expecting that despite of nice storage facilities that i have at home, tropical stains and humidity would take its toll in this kind of newspaper type of paper. Perhaps the company would take in consideration the quality of the paper ( so that it would last longer) rather than quantity .
PSI Publishing : http://www.psicompublishing.com/zen/
4.) Interesting booths and displays – energy balls from which static electricity are generated that people who touch the ball make their hair stand on end. This is one of the interesting booths at the ongoing 33rd Manila International Book Fair . The Philippine Science Centrum had some collaboration with Goodwill Bookstore and is among the most frequently visited booth . Aside from learning thru books, students can learn practical science, math thru interactive displays . 
Philippine Science Centrum -part of their awareness and promotion is a traveling exhibit
Website: http://www.science-centrum.ph/
Child friendly booth
5.) Freebies and other Perks- Leslie’s Food Corporation is one of the companies which gave free snacks during the book-fair. Some exhibitor booth gave interesting paper fans, bags , magazines and book marks !
6.) Contests and Games- Diwa Publishing sponsored a battle of the brain type of contest which is called ” Pasiklaban”
7.) Workshop, Story Telling and Lectures- Mrs. Maricel Laxa- Pangilinan conducting a story telling ” Kuya na si Bunso ” last September 14, 2012. Almost every booth had its own book launching , story telling from celebrities, freebies and lectures.
8.) Cosplays and Costume party- some of the exhibit booths allows visitors to wear costumes and have some time character playing . Cos-players is also a delight to all the visitors of the event, they have contest for best in costume presentation.
“Learning is Fun ” just like this exhibit booth , some of the books are price at Php 10.00 each
I would normally linger the whole day but due to busy schedule . I have to cut my visit to the event for just a couple of hours , enough for me to buy at least 3 dozen books ( at bargain prices !) . Bibliophile or book lovers/ collectors would definitely take time to attend this event. Unfortunately , i was not able to buy postcards from Book Mark which was absent during this year’s book-fair.
Admission FEE is Php 20 for the general public and Php 10 for student
The Book Fair opens from 10:00am to 8:00pm
The event is until September 16, 2012.
Note: Some bookstores , publisher and exhibitor would normally give away complimentary tickets to their “suki” regular customers .
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Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: 33rd Manila International Book Fair, bibliophile, book, Book, Church Strengthening Ministry, Eight reason to visit, Goodwill Bookstore, Inc. CSM Bldg., Mr. Jojo Manzano, Mrs. Maricel Laxa -Pangilinan, Parañaque City, Pascor Drive, Sto. Nino | Leave a comment »
Collectors Connection 