For those who are unfamiliar with MIBF, it stands for Manila International Book Fair and is an annual event that many Filipino readers and writers eagerly anticipate. As a reader and writer, I have always been excited to participate in this event, especially if I have the budget (haha).
And this year has been, so far, my best experience of MIBF. And good news for those who know me: I stepped out of my comfort zone, or at least I tried, even if only for an hour, and I want to praise God for that!
With the help of PaperKat Books and Ms. Kath, I was able to book an hour of meet-the-writer and a book signing event during the MIBF 2025.
Initially, I only planned to consign my latest book, The Restless Mind, and hope for the best of its sales. I am scared to be on the frontline of the meet-the-writer and a book-signing event. But then, there was this desire to try the book signing activity. I took the risk. I thought I had nothing to lose, and it was not like I was going to do something bad or illegal.
"I am just gonna put myself out there, and be a little vulnerable in the eyes of spectators." I thought to myself.
So, yes, I did! I had the book signing and meet-the-writer activity with PaperKat Books. I am really grateful for the opportunity and the experience, and I am so glad I got to experience MIBF 2025 as a writer and a reader.
Special shout-out to the readers who took a chance on my book, The Restless Mind, during my book signing: Ram, Grace, Zu, LJ, and Thine!💙 If you bought my book at MIBF 2025, and I was not able to sign it for you, I hope I get to see you at other events. SLMT 💙
I am looking forward to experiencing more of this event.
I am joyful that I did this. It was beyond my comfort zone, but God did it again! He helped me get through 🙏🙌
The Restless Mind, my latest book, is participating this year. The book event will run from September 10-14, 2025, from Wednesday to Sunday.
Ms. Kath Eustaquio-Derla and PaperKat Books helped me to make this opportunity possible.
I also have a Meet the author schedule at Booth #2-122, 2nd Floor Function Hall, SMX Convention Center Manila. So if you want to meet me or get your copies signed, please feel free to drop by. Other freebies are waiting for you. I hope I get to see you guys and gals!
The latest book that I read is To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I think it is the first time I have read a classic intentionally. I thought reading a classic would be boring, but I was totally wrong. To Kill A Mockingbird proved me wrong.
It is also my first time having a reading buddy with the same book. It was a fun journey as we shared our thoughts and feelings through a group chat.
This book brought hope to me, and I am sure to other readers. Though the resolution of the main conflict in the story is not favorable, I can say that the book teaches hope. That injustice does not have to be a dead end. The story setting is in 1930, more than a century ago, and the book screams RACISM as the main topic. It recounts a somber aspect of American history.
In the present, everything is better; not perfect, but better. The human race still has some improvement to make, and I hope that we are getting closer to it, rather than moving further away.
The book has a slow pace of telling, and that is what I like about it. I enjoyed how the writer built up the story by mentioning the neighbors, the town, and the point of view of the narrator in the form of a child. There is always hope; change might take a while, but it will definitely happen as long as we strive for good and the better.
So if you are looking for a book that will give you a glimpse of hope in humanity, then this book can be a good choice.
Tuesdays With Morrie is a book that I got to know through a friend. I saw one of his online posts, and didn’t waste my time having a second look. It was just one of the many passing updates on my news feed from my online friends which I rarely put too much attention to.
It started with curiosity and a book that was on sale at Goodwill. It was cheap and I could afford it hehe
The book left me with the impression that nothing is forever. Nothing lasts for eternity. Well, except for the One who is Eternity.
People come and go. They stay for a season and a reason. Some choose to stay, some choose to leave, and some just have no choice but to submit to the natural way of life, which one of them is death.
Humans die. Human death is a dead end, everyone must face it. To leave the physical world is something that no one could ever run away from.
But the memories we create with our loved ones, with the people who stay for a season and a reason worth all the struggle and pain we face in life. The experience of being alive and living and loving the moment is a gift from the One who lasts for eternity.
The present is a gift I am in the process of consistently trying to be grateful for. I can be an overthinker sometimes and that ruins the gift of the present. I am always praying to have a grateful heart, a heart that is overflowing with gratitude. In good times and bad times, I desire to be grateful to the LORD.
The attitude of gratitude is a good way of living a good life, of no regrets, of contentment, and of joy.
I hope and pray we also find peace as we journey to a life that is filled with gratitude to the One who stays and lasts forever.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
[18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
