While checking my calendar, I was surprised to find that there is absolutely no national holiday in this month of September. In contrast, August had two holidays just days apart from each other: Ninoy Aquino Day on the 21st and National Heroes Day on the 25th.
“There is no holiday in September because it is when the big holidays begin,” my friend Jet, 10 years old, explained.
“Such as what?” I asked.
“Halloween and Christmas,” he said, surprised why I didn’t know.
“Uhh...”
“Haven’t you heard Christmas carols on radio yet?” he asked. “They play them all the time now.”
“Uhh...”
“And malls have all sorts of costume displays for Halloween,” he added, looking wiser than a retired professor.
***
Jet is right, of course. People call September “ber.” It’s the beginning of the “ber” months when people in this country start to get busy, especially for Christmas.
We’re probably the only country in the world which plays and sings Christmas carols this early and all through the “ber” months till after the New Year.
***
Even without any holiday, September is particularly special for me because it is when I go to my happy place: the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF). This is one of the longest-running and most attended book events in Asia. It is where publishers, book sellers, authors and readers come together to celebrate the power of books, reading, and knowledge. People from the provinces troop to Manila for the MIBF.
As a book lover, I save up all year for this affair. Then when it finally comes, I buy all the new books I have been wanting to read. What’s great about the book fair is, all books are on sale and my savings go a long way.
Sometimes, while shopping, I find so many old classics, too, which I never knew existed. So book shopping becomes even more exciting.
***
The book fair is one of my favorite events of all! Aside from having all the books I have saved for, I get to meet fellow book lovers – students, teachers, parents, office workers, and librarians – who go there to purchase and exchange ideas about books.
And best of all, it is also when the book or books I have been writing during the year are launched! A book launching is when a newly published book is shown and sold to the public for the first time.
This year, I am launching one book for adults called “Grace@Work” and again, I will have a chance to chat with my readers who will come to my publisher’s booth for book signing!
***
At every book fair, there are many activities lined up for children. Some of them are: storytelling, puppet shows, parties, contests, games, and other programs kids enjoy. All children’s books are also sold at discounted prices.
During these activites, some kids come up to me and say the nicest things:
“Please write another book with me as the hero.”
“I read your books to my baby brother when he cries.”
“My lola said I can choose any three of your books as her Christmas gifts to me!”
***
Ah, I love September! Come to the book fair and I am sure you’ll begin to love September, too.
Please get in touch with me thorugh my blogsite: www.leavesofgrace.blogspot.com.