While the pandemic is still raging and in-person book fairs are still out of the question, the largest trade association of publishers, the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), is working to bring the book-buying experience online with Aklatan 2021.
Last year’s all-Filipino online book fair, Aklatan on Shopee, sold 27,493 books and helped local book publishers and creators across the country. This year, BDAP, rallying under the #BuyLocalBooks hashtag, announces that the next online book fair will happen on June 19 to June 21, with books sold at discounts of over 30 percent.
More than 30 local publishers are joining Aklatan on Shopee. This is an opportunity to buy rare local books, discover local authors and help revitalize the Philippine publishing industry.
Participating publishers include 19th Avenida Publishing, ABC Educational Development Center Children’s Books, Abiva Publishing, ABS-CBN Books, Adarna House Inc., Anvil Publishing, Ateneo de Manila University Press, Bookware Publishing Corp. (Duyan Books), Central Books Supply Inc., Christian Literature Crusade, Church Strengthening Ministry Inc., De La Salle University Publishing House, Feast Books (Shepherd’s Voice Publications), Far Eastern University Publications, Kasingkasing Press, Kawangis Komiks, Komiket Inc., Milflores Publishing, National Book Store Inc., New Day Publishers, OMF Literature Inc,. Precious Pages Corp., Psicom Publishing Inc., REX Bookstore Inc., San Anselmo Publications, Savage Mind: Arts, Books & Cinema (Savage Mind Bookshop), St. Matthew’s Publishing/Kahel Press, Summit Media (Summit Publishing Co. Inc.), Tahanan Books care of MRAS Book Trading, University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, University of the Philippines Press, Vibal Group Inc., Wiseman’s Books Trading Inc. and Learning is Fun (WS Pacific Publications).