The world deserves to hear Philippine voices, 135 languages and a market of untold stories

FRANKFURT, GERMANY – The Philippines, as this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair Guest of Honour country, positions its literature as a driver of global dialogue, co-publishing ventures, translation, and other rights sales.

Five hundred titles available for rights selling, an official delegation of more than 100 creatives – authors, illustrators, artists, and publishers – will be present at the Philippine spaces at the Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM). These are prime hubs for negotiations, partnerships, and literary discovery.

The Philippines’ Guest of Honour (GOH) presence spans three venues: the Philippine GOH Pavilion (Forum, Level 1) with its rich literary and cultural program; the Philippine Collective Stand (Hall 5.1 A95 & B95) and the Asia Stage (Hall 5.1 A75) for rights and co-publishing; and the Comics Stand (Hall 6.1 A38).

From ancient epics like the “Hudhud” and “Darangen” to the works of national hero and writer José Rizal, today’s writers in the Philippines and its diaspora create stories that embody centuries of memory and imagination. Rooted in oral traditions, indigenous culture, and shaped by its colonial history and political struggle, Philippine literature remains culturally distinctive.

Its 135 languages spread across 7,641 islands are one of its greatest strengths. Each language carries its own worldview and rhythm, with stories that are layered, original, and adaptable. For international publishers, this richness offers a steady pipeline of narratives that stand out in translation markets and connect deeply with readers worldwide.

“The Philippines strengthens support for its authors and publishers by building lasting global collaborations and advancing cultural diplomacy. When we share our stories, we add proof of the importance of democracy, human rights, and the values our people continue to fight for until this very day,” said Senator Loren Legarda, project visionary and Chairperson of the Philippine Senate Committee on Culture and Arts.

Climate, the global community, and human rights

The Philippines’ climate fiction is rooted in islands and communities facing rising seas and violent storms, as read in Darryl Delgado’s award-winning novel “Remains” (German: “Überreste”), set against the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan.

Young adult novels like Candy Gourlay’s acclaimed “Wild Song,” a coming-of-age novel set in the mountains of the Cordilleras, give readers an entry point into Philippine indigenous culture while telling a universal story of identity and belonging.

Philippine writing moves fluidly between fiction and nonfiction, often blurring the personal and the political. José Dalisay’s “Soledad’s Sister” (German: “Last Call Manila”) portrays the lives of diaspora and migrant workers. Katrina Tuvera’s “The Collaborators” (German: “Die Kollaborateure”) revisits complicity during various political epochs, including the Marcos dictatorship, while Jessica Zafra’s “The Age of Umbrage” (German: “Ein ziemlich böses Mädchen”) captures, with wit and humor, society’s class fractures.

Allan Derain’s “Aswanglaut” (German: “Das Meer der Aswang”), grounded in his research on the islands, reimagines myth and folklore to illuminate how the supernatural intersects with history and contemporary anxieties.

In nonfiction, Maria Ressa’s “How to Stand Up to a Dictator” and Patricia Evangelista’s “Some People Need Killing” confront authoritarianism, disinformation, and the cost of resistance. Together, these works show why and how Philippine literature keeps its cultural identity while being globally relevant.

Nobel Laureate Ressa, Dalisay, Tuvera, Derain, Evangelista, Zafra, and National Artists for Literature, Film, and Music, along with other award-winning writers, will participate in over 150 talks, festivals, performances, exhibitions, workshops, and conversations at the Philippine Guest of Honour Pavilion, stages of the Frankfurt Book Fair, and in museums, galleries, and libraries across Frankfurt am Main.

A viable source for publishers

With a translation subsidy program announced only in late 2023, more than 173 international translations across literary genres have been sold across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with editions already out in Germany, Spain, Egypt, and France.

Around 30 German publishers are releasing translations of works by Filipino authors and books about the Philippines as part of the Guest of Honour program. By the end of the year, there will be around 60 new publications from and about the Philippines that have appeared on the German-language market since fall 2024.

The Philippine comics sector is thriving, led by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo’s “Trese,” which blends folklore with urban noir and proved how comics can leap from page to global screen through its Netflix adaptation.

“Sa Wala,” the work of Ren Galeno, the 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist, is a horror novel that doubles as social commentary and has become one of the most widely translated Philippine works, with editions in Portuguese, French, Thai, Spanish, German, and more.

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) has committed over PHP 60 million (approximately €885,000) to translation and rights support over the next five years.

The Philippines’ competitive edge lies in its English-language proficiency, enabling many authors to write directly for international readers. Combined with programs such as the NBDB’s Translation Subsidy Program, this makes Philippine titles especially attractive for rights buyers seeking content ready for the global market.

With a median age of 25.3, the Philippines boasts one of Southeast Asia’s youngest readerships — fueling a new wave of trendsetting in genres like new adult. Authors such as Mina Esguerra and her #RomanceClass community, many of whom self-publish, are cultivating loyal audiences and redefining how books find their readers.

Engage with the Philippines at Frankfurt

From October 15–19, more than 150 events will take place at the Frankfurter Buchmesse, alongside exhibitions, concerts, performances, and films across the city.

At the official FBM Opening Event, Senator Legarda will deliver the Philippine address, followed by “Halad: A Poetry Trilogue” by poets Merlie Alunan, Marjorie Evasco, and Mookie Katigbak Lacuesta. A musical number, from chant to choir, with National Living Treasure Rosie Sula and The Philippine Madrigal Singers, will showcase how oral tradition and musical performance remain inseparable from Philippine literature.

The Philippines’ Guest of Honour participation (PHL GOH) is a project of the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.

Senator Legarda’s visionary leadership and steadfast support have been central to making this possible, with curators Karina Bolasco and Patrick Flores, and execution led by co-directors Charisse Aquino-Tugade (NBDB) and Aurea Brigino Lopez (NCCA). They are joined by a core team of publishing and creative veterans — Ani Almario, Kristian Cordero, Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz, and Nida Ramirez — together with a wide network of cultural workers and partners.

Information about the theme and full event details can be found on the official website philippinesfrankfurt2025.com. Stay updated through the official social media channels @philippinefrankfurt2025 on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

adobo magazine is an official media partner of The 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair.

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