Philippines to grace Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025

The Philippines, through a public-private partnership (PPP), is participating in the April 26 to May 5 “Abu Dhabi International Book Fair” (ADIBF) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi and with the theme “Knowledge Illumines Our Community,” the organiser is the Arabic Language Centre (ALC).

From the press statement quoting ALC chairman Dr. Ali Bin Tamim: “The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair firmly positions the UAE capital on the map as a world-class destination for creativity and enlightened thought. This year’s edition provides much space to celebrating Arab heritage, honouring Ibn Sina’s ‘The Canon of Medicine’ on its 1,000th anniversary as a testament to the genius of Arab medical thought.”

Uzbekistan-born Ibn Sina is one of the most prominent Muslim philosophers whose discoveries have heavily influenced modern-day Medicine.

Organiser of the Philippine participation is the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP) and its 10-member delegation is led by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), according to the Philippine Embassy-Abu Dhabi Facebook Page announcement.

BDAP was formed in 1979 by decades-old publishing companies, many of which are owned and managed by intergenerational families, to address industry problems. Current regular and associate members that include in-house publishing entities of educational institutions across the archipelago are at 130.

NBDB was legislated and created in 1995. It is under the Department of Education. Its mission is “to promote the continuing development of the book publishing industry, with the active participation of the private sector, to ensure an adequate supply of affordable, quality-produced books not only for the domestic market but also for export.”

The Philippine delegation looks forward to sealing more partnerships for the continuous translation of Philippine literature by foreign individuals, towards a better awareness and more understanding of what the nation and its people are.

This, as the ADIBF 2025 is host to 96 countries, 87 government entities, 15 universities and 13 self-publishers.

From the press statement, NBDB executive director Charisse Aquino-Tugade said: “We are joining the most important global conversation on books because we have a lot to offer to this part of the world. While we are relatively a young book market, we are also one of the most exciting and fastest growing in Southeast Asia; our comics and graphic novels scene is helmed by young, progressive voices; our children’s books are visually stunning and have much more to say about the world.”

With Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ferdinand Ver the other delegation members are owners and/or top officials of publishing companies: Atty. Andrea Pasion-Flores (Milflores Publishing), Ken Ortiz (Anvil Publishing), Jhorie Arciga (University of the Philippines Press), Gwenn Galvez (Rex Education), Mary Ann Ordinario (ABC Educational Development Center), Cindy Wong (8Letters Bookstore and Publishing), Ruth Ann Octaviano (Central Books), and Jerico Silvers (J. Silvers Publishing), who brought with them academic titles as well.

On its goal of primarily penetrating the Arab market by way of possible future Arab translations of Philippine-authored-and-published books and multi-faceted genres, Aquino-Tugade said: “With our publisher-focused delegation in Abu Dhabi, we are sure to hit our targets and open up more translation and rights selling opportunities for our book industry which will then get our books to more readers around the world.”

The NBDB Translation Subsidy Programme was conceptualised in 2023. Its PhlGoH2025 (http://books.gov.ph/GOHtranslationguidelines) is a collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Foreign Affairs and Office of Senator Loren Legarda, for any micro-small-medium and large enterprise/business entity duly registered outside the Philippines and are legally engaged in an economic activity.

“Publishers who wish to apply must have bought translation rights to a published book from a Philippine publisher,” according to the press statement.

So far, 129 Filipino books have been translated into foreign languages, the most recent of which are 27 into German including “Josefina” by Russell Molina and Ace Enriquez; “Aswanglaut” by Allan Derain; “Depikto” by Ruvel Abril, and “The Collaborators” by Katrina Tuvera.