Originally scheduled from May 23 to June 2, 2025, the much-anticipated Big Bad Wolf Philippines book fair has extended its Manila run until the end of the month.
To reach the fair, go to the second floor of V-Mall Greenhills and walk right into the entrance that resembles the mouth of the hungry, stalking wolf in Little Red Riding Hood. Go past the signs that read, “Only big-brained people beyond this point,” “No wallets survive,” and “Danger: Books can change lives” and you’ll finally enter a bibliophile’s paradise.
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Originating in Malaysia in 2009, the Big Bad Wolf book fair offers massive discounted prices, sometimes as high as 90 percent. The sales are part of the founder’s advocacy to make books accessible, affordable, and sustainable. While held in Malaysia, it travels yearly to other countries, including Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and of course, the Philippines
A candy store for readers
While packed with people of all ages and all reading tastes, the fair’s date extension is bound to ease the crowds. But the book shopping excitement doesn’t stop, as the Big Bad Wolf Philippines staff restocks the bookshelves every day, so each visit can feel slightly new.
While there aren’t typically new releases, there are a wealth of slightly older titles that might be difficult to find elsewhere: biographies, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Elton John; hobbyist books covering everything from luxury cars to healthy cookbooks; or simply coffee table books to elevate the aesthetic of every room. Popular sections include self-help books, which have classics like James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” or Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”
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Children’s books are undeniably the most popular, with an entire, separate section dedicated to various kid-friendly options—from coloring books to educational textbooks.
You’ll also discover acclaimed authors ranging from Sally Rooney’s contemporary fiction to Mitch Albom’s moving stories, plus books by Filipino authors showcasing local talent.
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The pricing system is also simple. Each book is labeled with a letter corresponding to its price. So while an “A” book costs only P20, a “T” book runs P960, with a range in between. Not bad at all for the literary goldmine you’re digging through.
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During our visit on supposedly the last Sunday before the extension, the Big Bad Wolf Philippines fair was bustling. We walked away with 15 books totaling around P3,000, thanks to the discount from my mom’s card, who went prior and signed up for a membership.
My haul included Paris guidebooks with rare, detailed maps as well as a unique hardbound by Turkish British novelist Elif Shafak. In the kids’ section, I picked up a local fora guide for my niece, a quirky book about why people love cats for my sister-in-law, and a shiny silver coffee table book cataloging Andy Warhol’s work. Meanwhile my husband snagged a biography of Jeremy Wade’s “River Monsters,” and has been hooked since.
Big Bad Wolf Philippines arrived and extended at the perfect time, when books unfortunately carry big (often bad-for-the-wallet) prices, making all those hours spent devouring printed pages all worth it.
Big Bad Wolf Philippines runs from until June 30, 2025, open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday at V-Mall Greenhills, San Juan City. Admission is free with credit card, debit card, GCash, and Maya payment options available.
