For millions of Filipino readers who spent their formative years glued to glowing phone screens —eagerly waiting for the next chapter of their favorite webnovels — the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) has long been a place where digital stories meet the tangible physical world.
This year, the energy at the SMX Convention Center is set to hit a high note as Wattpad celebrates its 20th anniversary from September 9 to 13, bringing together the authors whose viral hits shaped a generation of Philippine pop culture.
With the Philippines serving as one of Wattpad’s largest and most passionate global markets, the platform’s two-decade milestone doubles as a tribute to local webnovel creators.
What began as raw, self-published stories on mobile apps has since transformed into multi-million-read sagas, bestselling print titles, and record-breaking TV and film adaptations.
A gathering of storytellers and fandoms
IMAGE CREDIT: Wattpad
Throughout the five-day book fair, fans heading to the second floor (Booths 2-156 and 2-157) can participate in interactive activations, including a “Reader Passport” challenge to collect exclusive 20th-anniversary merchandise.
The main draw, however, lies in the extensive schedule of in-booth author signings and meet-and-greets. The roster reads like a hall of fame for local digital literature, featuring heavyweights such as:
- Knightinblack (Hell University, 183M+ reads)
- eatmore2behappy (Ang Mutya Ng Section E, 171M+ reads)
- 4reuminct (The Rain in España, 161M+ reads)
- beeyotch (Seducing Drake Palma, 85M+ reads)
- CeCeLib (Possessive series, 80M+ reads)
Adding a sweet touch to the festivities, Wattpad is teaming up with long-time partner The Hershey Company for a special activation on Saturday, September 12.
Fans attending the afternoon session with creators eatmore2behappy and 4reuminct can sample chocolates, play interactive games, and score signed copies of special branded story editions.
‘Just One More Chapter‘
Beyond author meet-ups, Wattpad will also take over the MIBF ground floor stage on Friday, September 11, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM for a mainstage panel titled “Just One More Chapter.”
The session will gather top creators for an intimate conversation about their creative processes, the evolution of digital publishing, and how online fandoms continue to redefine the Philippine literary landscape.
Now operating as part of WEBTOON Entertainment’s global IP ecosystem—reaching approximately 155 million monthly active users worldwide — Wattpad’s 20-year journey highlights the enduring power of community-driven storytelling. For the Filipino fans who built these digital worlds one chapter at a time, MIBF 2026 promises to be a memorable celebration of the stories that brought them together.
Event snapshot: Wattpad at MIBF 2026
IMAGE CREDIT: Wattpad
Where: SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
When: September 9–13, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily
- Interactive Booth & Signings: Booths 2-156 & 2-157 (Second Floor)
- Mainstage Panel (“Just One More Chapter”): Friday, Sept. 11 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM (Ground Floor Stage)
- Hershey’s Featured Activation: Saturday, Sept. 12 | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Wattpad Booth)
For real-time schedule updates and author line-ups throughout the week, follow @WattpadFilipino.
