The Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) is the largest and longest running book fair in the country, held annually in the month of September at SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. Except for a short hiatus due to the pandemic COVID-19, ST PAULS has always participated in this fair as a member of the Asian Catholic Book Publishers. For this year’s event—September 14-17—ST PAULS has enlarged its booth, managed by the Marketing sector headed by Fr. Albert Garong.
The main features of ST PAULS were its best-selling seasonal products: the Bible diaries 365 Days with the Lord (English) and Simbahay (Tagalog), the liturgical book Pandasal, the Catholic devotional calendars in different forms, and mini-media products. The event also witnessed the launching of five new titles, and book signing. The authors were Andre Josef Carabeo’s “Dissipet Tenebras” (Ascetical & Mystical Theology), Fr. Phil Estrella OMI’s “The Jesus I Thought I Knew” (Sacred Theology), Josephine Ledesma’s “Ang Misteryo’y Isangayon” (Liturgy), Fr. Jeffrey Segovia’s “Healing Hands” (Light Readings & Inspirationals), and Bp. Ruperto C. Santos DD STL’s “Nine Days with St. John Paul II” (Ascetical & Mystical Theology).
The MIBF is an auspicious occasion not only to feature the publications and media products of ST PAULS, but also to make the Congregation known, serving as means for vocation promotion. SSP members and formands in Manila and nearby provinces gave a helping hand in the preparation of and in manning the booth, and as well as in advertising ST PAULS products in social media.
Close to the ST PAULS booth was the Paulines booth of the Daughters of St. Paul. The presence of the sons and daughters of Blessed James Alberione gave witness to the importance of the apostolate of social communication and to the close collaboration of the Paulines.
