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All roads lead to the SMX Convention Center!
At least this is how it felt for me when I attended this year's Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), which took place at SMX Convention Center on September 10-14, 2025. I went on the 14th, the last day of the fair, which was a Sunday. I was bracing myself because I knew there would be a huge crowd on that day. I also went in during the afternoon already because I have spent the morning, still at home, searching for specific titles to pick up. I didn't want to just impulsively pick up books that I see there (spoiler alert: I DID 🤣) and so I listed at most five titles to find in the book fair.
I rode public transportation to the venue, and it took more than an hour (and I was in the standing area 😖) to reach the convention center. I was already tired even before beginning my book fair adventures. 😓 Good thing I was already familiar on how to commute, so the journey didn't add much to my stress that day.
As I expected, there were a lot of people enroute to the venue. There was even one lady who asked me for directions as to where the SMX convention center was. It was perfect timing because I had already pulled out my phone to open Google Maps because I was getting lost also (HAHAHA) so I told her the directions. Anyway, it was kind of thrilling to go out on my own again. I'm-not-used-to but used-to this kind of setup. I'm still adjusting, because it's been a while.😅 It felt like I'm going back to my old self, retracing old habits that I used to have.
The crowd at the entrance was intimidating at first, but all of us were able to enter the venue right away. There were also no lines at the ticket booth. I had planned to show them the complimentary ticket provided by National Bookstore, but apparently, it needed to be printed (I was only planning to show them the screenshot from my phone). Since I didn't have the means to print it, I had no choice but to pay the PHP50 entrance fee. 😅 Mental note for future book fairs: I must have the complimentary pass printed.
I noticed that most of the people there are from the younger part of the population. It fascinated me, because even though there are already e-books available in the market, the hype for reading physical books is still present and thriving. ✨
Upon entering, the first booth I noticed was that of the Lyric Piano & Organ Corporation. I remembered back in 2017's book fair, I bought the piano sheet of "Only Hope" by Mandy Moore, which is a movie soundtrack of "A Walk to Remember". I think I was able to study just the first 3 bars. 😅 So I guess this is a reminder for me to go back to studying the piece and playing it on the piano.
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| When I returned to this stall upon exit, the Taylor Swift one was no longer on the shelf. 😁 |
Aside from my list of book titles, one of my agenda here at MIBF was to go to Atom Araullo's book signing. I was really looking forward to this because I have been a fan of his since college days. Unfortunately, I got stuck getting books at Fully Booked. Also, I missed that (vital) information that his talk was on the second floor of the convention center. *sigh* Maybe, it was just not meant to be. I'll just see you next time, Atom. 🥲
Anyway, my book fair experience became mostly about book hunting. As I searched each aisle for the book titles I listed, I saw familiar book titles in between. Seeing the physical copies of the books I knew and read on the Kindle felt like meeting friends in real life. 😁
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| I found this amusing. Some are really capitalizing on the fame of the artist. 😅 |
The part that I really like about book fairs is the fact that I am feeling the energy of my fellow bookworms, like I can hear them squeal with delight upon seeing familiar titles on the shelves. Also, book stores showcase the best titles that they have so MIBF really is the venue if you are in search of top and trending books. The book fair is truly a candy land for all the book lovers. 😍📚
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| I saw this very cute version of the Harry Potter book by JK Rowling, with charming broomsticks on the edges of the pages. It's really fascinating to wander around and see books in different covers and designs. ✨ |
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| This reminded me that I have e-book copies of these books from Humble Bundle. I haven't read most of them yet. 😅 |
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| 1/5 of my book titles found! |
I really loved how I found this C.S. Lewis book during the fair. This was included in that five titles I was looking for. Well, I was just randomly looking over each of the shelves when this book's cover caught my attention. Only the upper half of the cover was visible as it was behind a row of books. Since I already saw that that corner of that shelf was mostly C.S. Lewis titles, I was pulled into that specific shelf. And like in slow motion, I slowly lifted the book from behind the row of books. 'Lo and behold, it was the book I was looking for! I felt so happy at that moment. I really felt the pull of this book towards me. This was similar to that feeling when I saw the Clow Cards book in a library in Tokyo. ✨
Inspired by my first book find, I continued to go through the aisles (and the people). When I finally found the shelves of self-help books, I was delighted to see another title on my book list: Attached.
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| 2/5 of the book titles found. ✨ |
I think if things had happened differently for me in the past few weeks, I wouldn't even know this book existed. However, since I experienced new life experiences in the past several weeks, my mindset shifted significantly. I had this huge curiosity about the dynamics of romantic relationships so I wanted to understand them better. I dove into my first relationship without any idea of what I was doing (LOL I got my "ideas" from what I have seen portrayed in movies, dramas, and books) so I got really overwhelmed with all the new insights from my first-hand experience. I want to do better. I don't want to overwhelm myself (or my partner) due to my heightened emotions. I hope this book guides me in navigating my feelings if (or when?) I venture into another relationship again. 😅
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| I didn't realize when I took this photo: one of the book titles I was looking for was in here (that colorful reddish book at the lower right corner)! 😭 |
I wanted to buy Elizabeth Gilbert's "All the Way to the River". I was having difficulty finding it so I even asked two of the staff there to help me locate the book. And here I was, looking at this photo I took, and seeing that the book I was looking for was already in front of me. *sigh* Another not-meant-to-be moment for me during the fair. 😅
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| Haemin Sunim is a familiar author to me now, since my current read is one of his works. 😊 |
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| I just had to take a photo of this blue book. 😅 |
I first heard of this book, "How To Not Die Alone", from Ali Abdaal. It was during the pandemic and I really took to heart some of Logan Ury's tips on how to make my online dating profile more effective. 🤣 I was actually planning to reread this book because I wanted to review and apply the other relationship tips to my then current one, but my relationship ended even before I got started with the book again. 🥲
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| This is my current read! ✨I felt so happy seeing the physical book during the fair. |
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| I also felt so happy seeing the physical books of Sue Lynn Tan's works! I really loved these two books (which I have reviewed on a blog post also) |
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| Oh yes, I am the target market. 😹 #catpeople |
I'm happy with my haul this year! Even though I wasn't able to complete all the book titles I initially listed down, I found new ones along the way, which I believe will be truly helpful to me, especially on where I'm at in my life's journey.
This is my #MIBF2025 Book Haul:
- A Grief Observed (C.S. Lewis) - I just want to understand this feeling of grief that I am currently feeling, and so what more than learn it from one of my favorite authors. ✨
- Attached. The new science of adult attachment and how it can help you find - and keep - love - (Amir Levine & Rachel Heller) - I got really curious with the neuroscience of love, since experiencing it firsthand, and so I wanted to understand those emotions better (I hope) by reading this book.
- The Nervous System Reset. Overcome pain, trauma, and stress using your vagus nerve - (Jessica Maguire) - This is one of the books I picked up impulsively. 😅I felt like I needed this book during this time, so as to better manage my feelings while processing the breakup.
- How to Think Like A Lawyer - and Why. A common-sense guide to everyday dilemmas. (Kim Wehle) - I admit, this reminded me of him. And I picked this up because of that. 😅
- Ready Player Two (Ernest Cline) - This was the last book I picked up. I really enjoyed the first installment so I got really excited when I saw this title. Well, upon arriving home, I realized that I already read this book in 2021. 😅I guess I will just read this again. 🤣
I'm so happy I was able to return to the book fair. Apparently, the last time I went to one was in 2019 (not 2017), which I was not able to write on the blog. 😅 I love being in the midst of people with similar interests. I just feed from their contagious energy. I'm excited to read regularly again, especially those self-help books. ✨ Until next year, MIBF! 💖
~o~
P.S.
Because I was already in the area, I wanted to stop by this church, of which I have fond memories of this year.
I guess this is part of my goal of revisiting places we had shared memories of. Since it was a Sunday, I found it really appropriate to stop by and pray.
I got teary-eyed as I entered the church. There was no mass, but the church was open and there were a few people seated inside. I went to sit in the same area as the last time I was here before. I spent some time just looking around and feeling the atmosphere, recalling the memories of when we were here. And yeah, feelings just welled up from my chest again. I feel like I am so over the top dramatic, but yeah, maybe this is how I'm just processing these feelings. I offered prayers for him and for me, as we now begin our journey in life separately. 😞
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| As I went back outside, I just recalled those fleeting moments I had with him in this area. I remembered this point of view, wherein I saw him crossing the street walking towards me. I can see him so clearly in my head. 😔 |
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| This is also one memorable spot for me. |
I immediately went home after this, since nowadays I feel suffocated when travelling at home on my own at night time. I really have to do a lot of work on myself to recover and move on from these recent events. 😅
But still, I'm grateful for all of these experiences. ✨
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