bookish events – Tara Tries To Write

On safe spaces and success: My post-#PBF2025 musings

We had a favorite TikTok meme last week as we were manning the #RomanceClass booth at the Philippine Book Festival: “Bigla kang sumakses eh, pero istep by the step pala bago ka sumakses.”

We used it to tease H. Bentham, who, after 8 years, was finally able to finish and publish his first full-length novella in time for PBF. And he didn’t just publish it, mind you — his book, Kiss Away the Goodbye was picked up by Blush Books for its Philippine print edition, and so many people came to the booth looking to buy it! The very definition of success!

Just H. Bentham and his adoring public. Congratulations on the release of your book, Ben!

But we also kept repeating it whenever another author had their moment. Either someone bought their book at the event, or someone brought copies of their books bought elsewhere to get them signed + their photos taken. We must have said the words a hundred times a day, coupled with giggles and silent wishes that more books fly off the shelves as the hours went on.

Spoiler alert: Our wishes came true.

It’s time for #PBF2025!

Hey hey, book lovers — the 2025 Philippine Book Festival is in A WEEK and I’m very excited! Why, you ask? Well, my friends, it’s because the Philippine Book Festival is the ONE big bookish event in the country that has Filipino-authored publications as its focus. So if you wanna get into Filipino authors and their works, this is THE event you should be at.

This year, the Philippine Book Festival is happening on March 13-16 (Thursday to Sunday) at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall Building B. As always, the event is FREE for the public — you can pre-register using the QR code on the poster below, or just simply show up on the day of the event and register at the door.

Every year at the Philippine Book Festival, the venue is divided into four realms: Booktopia (trade books), Kid Lit (children’s literature), Aral Aklat (educational books), and Komiks (comics and graphic novels). This year, #RomanceClass will be having its very own booth at Booktopia, and we are inviting you all to check us out at Booth BO11! Your favorite #RomanceClass books will be there, as well as some authors who’ll be hanging out and signing books as well.