The Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) once again unrolls the carpet at the Exhibit Halls of the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, in Pasay City with the theme “Opening Doors and Pages: A Legacy of Books.’’

The Philippines’ premiere book event, and the longest-running book fair in Asia, the annual MIBF will feature new and more interesting events that are expected to draw double, if not triple, the visitor-turnout this year. The five-day fair will include storytelling sessions (reading and interpretative performances for kids and kids-at-heart); book and product launchings; live musical performances; cooking demonstrations; and competitions.

There will be seminars on getting published, freelance writing, intellectual property protection, care and repair of books, digital debate on archives, museum, and libraries, projecting a good image of the library, professional etiquette for librarians, how to export books, ICT in education, and dealing with the challenges the publishing industry faces amid the ongoing global financial crisis.

With reading and literary as its battle cry, the MIBF has been successful in gathering and uniting publishers, authors, booksellers, educators, librarians, and readers of varying generations, cultures, interests, and backgrounds. It has made books more accessible to an increasing number of Filipinos, especially those who have had little or no access to books.

For 30 years now, the MIBF has efficiently and effectively provided a venue for promoting new titles and authors, for dialogue with customers and readers, and for discussing ways to improve the quality of books with peers in the publishing industry. In its bid to promote reading and literacy, it has showcased traditional and new media and presented books and other published works in all their permutations to an ever increasing number of audiences.

The MIBF is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with the Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc., the Book Development Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and the Publishers’ Representatives Organization of the Philippines.

It is heartwarming to know that despite the tougher challenges confronting the book and publishing industries, new trends and breakthroughs in technology, the economic crunch, and the fact that Filipinos are not a reading bunch, the MIBF continues to espouse the noble mission of providing a venue that encourages reading, publishing, and bookselling.

We congratulate the 30th Manila International Book Fair organizers and participants and wish them success in all their endeavors.