Monday, January 31, 2011

The FilBookFest goal: showcase the richness of Philippine culture through its literature

On October 1st and 2nd of this current year, the Filipino American International Book Festival will take place at the San Francisco Main Library on 100 Larkin Street, corner Fulton Street in the Civic Center area of San Francisco. It is a free-to-the public literary event that will display and sell printed books that cover various genres for children, young adults, and adult readers.   In addition, a variety of book-related cultural materials, including magazines, comic books, videos, music, movies, art and crafts will be included.

Non-Filipino authors who have published books about the Philippines will also participate in this event.  International Filipino authors from Europe, Canada, and Asia are also participating in this festival .

Pass the word around.  The Festival's main goal is to showcase the richness of the Philippine culture through its literature, visual arts, culinary arts, and music.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

FilBookFest Activities: Conversations with Filipino Authors

Congratulations to Bay Area libraries for  actively engaging Filipino authors as part of their participation in the FilBookFest.   Be sure to attend these conversations with Filipino authors series.

  • January 26, 2011.  Pinole Library: Pat Navalta Poblete, author,  The Oracles, in conversation with Ben Pimentel, journalist and author.
  • Feb. 9, 2011.  Daly City Library: Benito Vergara, author, Pinoy Capital: The Filipino Nation in Daly City, in conversation with Mike Guingona, Daly City Council Member.
  • Mar. 12, 2011.  Hercules Library:  Conversations with Filipino Women authors.


Keep on following this blog for more conversations with Filipino authors.

Filipino Book Festival: Filipino American International Book Festival

Filipino Book Festival: Filipino American International Book Festival

Filipino American International Book Festival

On January 28, 2011, the official Filipino American International Book Festival was launched at the Philippine Consulate  Social Hall on Sutter Street, San Francisco, Ca.   The highlight of the FilBookFest will be a tribute to Filipino literary greats like Dr. Jose Rizal, featuring  video clips of the honorees, and excerpts from  the honorees' works to be read by the authors in attendance.

The reception and the formal launching of the project was a glittering affair, hosted by Ambasador Marciano Paynor, Jr.    The Filbookfest participants who were invited came from:

  • Book publishers, US based publishers of Filipino American authors
  • Authors of Filipino heritage from the US and other countries
  • Non-Filipino authors of books about the Philippines
  • Librarians
  • Academics
  • Book exhibitors
  • Filipino visual artists, musicians and performers
  • Filipino food vendors
  • Businesses that target the Filipino American market
  • Book lovers
  • Literary agents
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Filipino community associations
  • Friends and Trustees of the Libraries
  • College students who are Interns of Filbookfest 
Pictures of the Launching reception will be posted as soon as I receive them from Ms.  Gemma Nemenzo, the Coordinator of the FilBookFest.  


 Mark your calendars.  This event will be held on  the 1st and 2nd of October, 2011, to coincide with October, the designated Filipino American month.