SM Book Nook Reading Festival Brings Filipino Stories to Life at SM Aura

The SM Book Nook Reading Festival, held on January 31, 2025, at SM Aura, welcomed 500 book enthusiasts of all ages for a vibrant celebration of Filipino literature and creativity. With author meet-and-greets, engaging performances, and interactive workshops, the festival provided a diverse and enriching literary experience.

A Celebration of Storytelling and Collaboration

One of the standout features of the event was the launch of the “Pass the Plot” board, an interactive storytelling activity that invited participants to collaboratively create a story, one sentence at a time, showcasing their shared creativity and imagination.

The “Pass the Plot” board at the SM Book Nook Reading Festival encourages collaborative storytelling, allowing participants to build a narrative together.

Meeting Literary Icons and Rising Stars

The festival was graced by renowned literary figures, including National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario (Rio Alma), Dean Tony La Viña, Hans Pieter Arao, and Jayson Fajardo. Attendees had the opportunity to interact with these esteemed authors, get their books signed, and gain insights from their literary journeys.

Emerging writers also took center stage, with independent authors like Therese Villarante-Langit engaging with readers and sharing their works, further highlighting the diversity and richness of Filipino storytelling.

National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario (Rio Alma) captivates readers with his insights and literary journey at the SM Book Nook Reading Festival.

Promoting a Culture of Reading and Knowledge-Sharing

A heartwarming moment during the festival was the book donation drive, where publishers and authors united to contribute books to the SM Book Nook. This collective effort reinforced the commitment to nurturing a reading culture and making literature more accessible to the community.

Authors and publishers, alongside SM Book Nook pioneer Shereen Sy, come together to donate books, fostering a love for reading.

A Day Filled with Literary Exploration

The festival was packed with engaging activities for all ages, including:
✔ Literary quizzes
✔ Historical fiction readings
✔ Book club discussions
✔ Spoken word poetry performances
✔ A zine-making workshop with BBZ

Publishing houses like Bookshelf PH, Grana Books, and Aklat Alamid showcased their latest releases, while a special session on copyright law provided valuable insights for aspiring writers.

The audience listens intently as author Bambi Rodriguez shares an excerpt from her latest book.

More Than Just a Book Event

The SM Book Nook Reading Festival was more than a literary gathering—it was a celebration of Filipino storytelling, a platform for emerging authors, and a space for book lovers to connect. By fostering a community of readers and writers, the festival ignited inspiration and strengthened the love for literature.

For more information about SM’s community programs and how to get involved, visit: https://www.smsupermalls.com/smcares/.