Reading Culture in the Philippines

The Philippines is a country rich in culture and traditions, and its reading culture is no different. Even in the face of poverty and development challenges, our schools still try to prioritize literature and reading comprehension starting at a young age, highlighting the important role that reading plays in our society.

So what is the reading culture like in the Philippines?

In the past.

I personally enjoy reading a lot. I read materials from books, articles, magazines, newspapers, e-books, comics, and manga. Of course, as a kid, I only read things that piqued my interest. Even though my school occasionally mandatorily made me read articles, magazines, and newspapers, I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to be exposed to different reading materials.

When I was in elementary school through high school, my school required us to participate in SRA, and the Language subject would set aside time for this exercise at least once a month.

SRA Reading Labs is a product of Mcgrawhill-education. It is a tool used to help students improve their reading skills. It's a set with short reading stories or articles that become progressively difficult as you go through it. After reading a story/article, you answer questions based on what you just read to check your understanding.

I could say that this activity also developed my reading habits and comprehension when I was younger. Although, I am unsure if they still use this nowadays. However, I noticed that schools now are using learning management content systems with interactives and reading content to appeal to the new generation.

Now back to the present.

According to Country Meters, 96.29% of the adult population (aged 15 years and above) in the Philippines are able to read and write. Since reading is also encouraged early on, with schools requiring children to learn how to read and write as early as kindergarten.

However, while many Filipinos value reading, there are still some hindrances for the country's reading culture to reach its full potential. One of the major obstacles is access to books. Many Filipinos especially those in the poverty lines do not have access to bookstores and public libraries. Fortunately for me, I managed to visit one public library in the Philippines back in 2014 to research feasibility studies.

Dekada 70' By Lualhati Bautista	GAPO By Lualhati Bautista

Another issue is that Filipino literature is not given the recognition it deserves. Western literature is more prevalent and popular, which results in Filipino authors being overlooked. The challenge is to promote Filipino literature to the masses and encourage more people to read them. Following this thought, I recall that I've only read a few Filipino literature books from Rizal and GAPO and Dekada 70' by Lualhati Bautista.

Despite these challenges, Filipinos' love for reading persists. They are very vocal about their love for books through social media platforms, where they can share their thoughts and recommendations. There are also various book clubs, book swaps, book fairs, and book events that take place throughout the country.

Speaking of book fairs and events. These are also significant parts of our country's reading culture. These events help in promoting literacy and engaging readers with a variety of books. Here are some examples of book events in the Philippines:

This is an international book fair that provides high-quality books at affordable prices. This event is held annually in the Philippines and offers discounts of up to 90% on books. The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is a popular event that energizes the reading culture by promoting affordable books to readers.

This is an annual event that showcases books and reading materials from different publishers. This event provides an opportunity for readers to engage with publishers, attend book launches, and author's talks. The event helps in promoting local authors and their works.

This event promotes Philippine literature and writers. This book fair was first started in 2017 and has grown into a popular event among book lovers. Aklatan essentially promotes local literature, diversity, and Filipino authors. However, due to the pandemic, they adapted to online selling with Shoppee as their partner. Hopefully, they schedule a face-to-face event soon.

Adarna House is a well-known publishing company in the Philippines famous for local children's books. The Adarna House Writers Workshop is an event that helps aspiring authors write and publish children's books. This event provides a platform for aspiring writers to turn their passion for writing into a successful career.

These book fairs and events are just a few examples of how the Philippines' reading culture is supported and celebrated. By creating opportunities for Filipinos to read, discover new books and authors, and engage with others who share their love of reading, these events contribute to a more literate and cultured society.

The Philippine reading culture is a complex yet vibrant aspect of our society. While there are challenges to overcome, the country's love for reading and books is undeniable.

A number of book fairs and events are put together as time goes by. And with each year, participants increase in numbers. Despite challenges such as poverty, access to books, and Filipino Literature not being given the recognition it deserves, our country has been progressing in promoting literacy and encouraging the public to appreciate Filipino literature with the support of the government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. I truly hope our reading culture will continue to flourish and inspire generations to come.

This is my official entry for HiveBookClub's Community Contest 9: What is the reading culture like in your country?

I would like to challenge Hive account@cthings as she is a friend who teaches literature and is probably more aware of our country's reading culture.