It’s book fair time again, and book lovers from all over the Philippines are once again flocking to the annual Manila International Book Fair, the biggest and longest-running book fair in the Philippines, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year from Sept. 16-20 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

To the first-timer, the MIBF may seem like a vast and intimidating arena of publishers, book-sellers, educators and bibliophiles, and it can be difficult to explore the exhibitors in all four exhibit halls of the SMX in a short amount of time.

To help book fair-goers make the most out of the five days of the MIBF, here is a rough (unofficial) guide to the event, based on the event’s recent runs.

TOP PICKS: EXHIBITORS

1) A Different Bookstore – Aside from discounted titles, they usually have bargain bin bundles, e.g. buy three and get one free at different price points (P99 up), a good mix of fiction and non-fiction titles, young adult books, and children’s books. It’s best to check their booth out on the first day, and when you see a book you like, grab it already, as the best titles go fast and you don’t know if it will still be there when you come back for it.

2) Bookmark – Has a great selection of Filipiniana coffeetable books, trade books, and children’s books, from around P50 up. Also a great place to get Filipiniana postcards in bundles, from P20 up.

3) National Book Store – It’s pretty hard to miss the familiar red-and-white sign. While the selection changes each year, the bargain books are always a good deal, ranging from design books, lifestyle books, popular novels, young adult fiction, manga, and children’s books. They restock frequently throughout the five days, so just keep going back to their booth.

The NBS booth is usually arranged according to publisher, and each publisher usually mounts their own promo for they usually have a lot of freebies. NBS also usually throws in a little something extra – a pencil case, a notepad or a pocket dictionary – with every purchase.

4) Anvil Publishing – Another favorite for book fair shoppers, with several bargain bins that have books from P10 up, from cookbooks to history books, poetry, pop culture, and current events books. They restock throughout the book fair so there’s a different selection everyday.

They also offer discounts for their latest releases (one of the top sellers this year will probably be the Cory Aquino biography, “Cory: An Intimate Portrait”), and have wooden benches where you can hang out, read a book or two, and rub those sore feet.

4) Vibal Publishing – Great selection of children’s books and Filipiniana coffee table books that are high quality but affordable, such as “Lolo Jose: An Intimate and Illustrated Portrait of Jose Rizal,” the Rizal biography written by his grandniece Asuncion Lopez-Bantug.

5) Adarna House – Awesome bundles of children’s books, as well as single titles at great discounts are available here, but they run out fast (especially the bundles) so make sure to get all the books you want on the first days of the fair. Adarna’s authors and artists also sign books at the booth, so there’s a good possibility of getting a signed copy.

6) Precious Pages – Good selection of children’s books, both local and imported. They also give away a lot of posters and other freebies with every purchase. Precious Pages also publishes the Precious Hearts Romances that debuted on national TV this year.

7) OMF Literature – OMF always cooks up great promos for the book fair, starting with the online coupon available on their site (www.omflit.com), which doubles as a freebie coupon. They have bargain bins for inspirational books, and bibles at discounted prices. They also have children’s book bundles, but these run out fast, so get those during the first few days of the fair.

8) Scholastic – Showcases their new collection of titles. On center stage this year are their groundbreaking series The 39 Clues and The Hunger Games. Scholastic also mounts promos with exclusive book freebies.

9) Tahanan books – Showcases Filipiniana novelty books and excellent children’s books. They also have bargain copies of some titles, going for around P30 up. And their booth is always so homey and inviting, you’ll definitely be drawn to stop by.

10) Book Wagon – A thoughtful selection of children’s books and hard to find sheet music. Staff is very knowledgeable too.

11) Goodwill Bookstore – An assortment of bargain finds — novels, coffee table books, cookbooks, children’s books — for under P100, and a good selection of arts and crafts books. Also a good place to buy medical textbooks.

12) Ateneo, UP Press – An extensive selection of literary, current events, and trade titles, at discounted prices.

13) National Historical Institute – Get your fill of Philippine history with NHI publications, historical documents, and historical data.

14) Instituto Cervantes – Quaint Spanish children’s books, language instruction books, parallel text books, and multimedia.

You can also inquire about course offerings, class schedules and events of Instituto Cervantes.

15) New Day – Filipiniana trade books at low low prices, with rows of bargain bins that yield great finds for the patient hunters.

16) WS Pacific – The best booth for your Christmas shopping, with a varied selection of children’s books, cookbooks, and multimedia, at very low prices.

17) A-Z Direct – The place to sign up for or renew magazine and periodical subscriptions, as they offer discounted rates and a lot of freebies.

18) PSICom – A big hit for the young crowd, with budget-friendly compilations of comic strips, jokes, ghost stories, and other pop culture topics, with books ranging from P50-P100. A lot of author/artist signings here as well.

19) Visprint – Edgy Filipino contemporary literature and graphic novels. Features author signings, and a book swapping box where you can trade in books you don’t want for titles that catch your interest.

SHOPPING TIPS:

Aside from the exhibitors, here are other pointers that might come in handy:

1) Wear comfy shoes. Make sure you wear shoes you can walk in, as it is no joke to walk thousands of square meters in high heels (I’ve tried, believe me).

2) The floor plan helps. For easier navigation, download the exhibit floor plan online, or ask for a copy from the secretariat booth. You can also ask the secretariat if you’re only looking for a specific booth.

3) Bring recyclable bags, or a wheelie bag if you’re planning a big haul. If you have multiple recyclable bags with you, there’s always the package counter. But if you don’t want to keep bailing to the package counter, a wheelie will be your best friend.

4) Weigh your options. Some stocks run out on the first day, while some last all five days, so deliberate your purchases. Will you want to kick yourself after passing up a good deal you saw on the first day? Or will you regret splurging in one booth when you find something else you like later on in the day? Tough, I know, haha, I have the same dilemma every year!

5) Get the best deals. Inquire about the exhibitor’s promos when you drop by a booth. You never know, they might have something that will catch your interest. Want something extra? Try your hand at bargaining, as some exhibitors can give you a lower price if you ask nicely, or give you a freebie.

6) Celebrity-spotting? Inquire at the exhibitors’ booth if any of their authors or illustrators are scheduled to make an appearance, and you might be able to get a signed copy, or a photo taken with them.

7) Got kids? Keep them entertained with interactive exhibits, storytelling sessions, mascot parades, and other kid-friendly events at the book fair. Alternate between the exhibitors you like and the exhibitors they like to keep them from getting bored.

8) Come back on the last day. Some prices go down on the last day, as some exhibitors prefer to unload their stuff rather than pack it all up again, so keep an eye out on last-day bargains.

9) All shopped out? Who says you have to buy books to enjoy the book fair? Enjoy the various special events scheduled throughout the duration of the fair, chat up some fellow bibliophiles, or grab a seat somewhere and enjoy a book!