DAVAO CITY — Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday graced the opening of the Philippine Book Festival — the largest traveling book festival in the country that highlights Filipino books.

Over 2,000 authors, publishers, readers and guests from all over the country attended the event at the SMX Convention Center here to celebrate Filipino books and Philippine literature, culture, and other contents.

Duterte, who served as the event’s keynote speaker, lauded the National Book Development Board’s (NBDB) unwavering dedication to Filipino students, and highlighted the dedication and achievements of everyone in the Philippine publishing industry.

“The importance of your work is something that we cannot overemphasize — and the same can also be said about the significance of the books authored by people who have dedicated their lives to the profession and advocacy of sharing their expert or academic knowledge with others, giving inspiration to others, or entertaining others through their stories—fiction or non-fiction,” Duterte said.

NBDB is one of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) attached agencies.

Duterte, who is also Secretary of Education, said the Philippine Book Festival is important to DepEd with the recent launching of the MATATAG Curriculum that gives emphasis on basic competencies-- which include writing, reading and comprehension.

“Our direction is not only for our learners to possess the power of writing and reading, but, most importantly, for them to value this power as it could help them navigate life successfully,” Duterte said.

“Our campaign necessitates rekindling our learners’ interest in the written word through reading books and other materials that could ignite their curiosity, give space for their creativity, and nurture their intellect,” she added.

The Vice President ended her message with an appeal to foster lifelong learning and a culture that embraces diversity, empowers minds, and “sparks the flames of imagination.”

“Let us nurture the seeds of knowledge that, when planted today, will yield a bountiful harvest for generations to come,” Duterte said.

“May this festival illuminate our path toward a strong Philippines—where the pages of our shared story are etched with the enduring ink of knowledge, wisdom, and inspiration,” she added.

The Philippine Book Festival is a three-day event that will run from August 18 to 20, allowing visitors of all ages and backgrounds to immerse themselves in a world of words and discover the diverse literary landscape of the Philippines. OVP MEDIA