The 77th Frankfurt International Book Fair, held from October 13-19, was a landmark moment for the Philippines. As the Guest of Honor, our country proudly stood at the heart of the world’s largest literary gathering, showcasing the richness of Filipino imagination, cultural heritage, and creative resilience.
From October 13–19, 2025, the Philippines took center stage at the 77th Frankfurt International Book Fair as this year’s Guest of Honor—a historic milestone for our nation and its literary community. At the heart of the world’s largest publishing event, we proudly showcased the depth of Filipino imagination, cultural heritage, and creative resilience.
The theme, “The Imagination Peoples the Air,” drawn from José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, echoed throughout Messe Frankfurt, reminding attendees of the transformative power of storytelling to awaken, inspire, and unite.
The Philippine Pavilion and Stand became a vibrant hub of activities, featuring over 120 Filipino creatives and industry experts whose works spanned genres, languages, and generations. During the opening ceremony, Senator Loren Legarda captured the spirit of the moment with these stirring words:
“And if one book written by a Filipino on German soil awakened a nation thousands of miles away, imagine—just imagine—what we, together, can awaken today.”
Her reflection is a powerful reminder of how the written word can stir hearts and spark change. It also calls to mind the legacy of St. Anthony Mary Claret, who was so moved by God’s word that he dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel through the ministry of publishing. His mission lives on today, especially in moments like this—where faith, creativity, and global collaboration converge.
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. at the Forefront
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) was strongly represented at this year’s fair. Fr. Louie Guades III, CMF (Executive Director); Fr. Dennis Tamayo, CMF (Asia Stage Speaker); Robert ‘Bob’ Laurio (Production Manager) actively participated in discussions, panels, and networking events. Their presence underscored CCFI’s commitment to global dialogue and its mission to amplify Filipino theological and pastoral voices on the international stage.
Global Engagement with Religious Publishers and Printers
The fair provided a unique opportunity to engage with religious publishers and printers from across the globe. We met with:
- Asia: Amity Printing Press (China), Kanisius Publishing (Indonesia) and XACT Publishing and St. Paul Publishing (India)
- Americas: Liturgical Press, Tyndale Press, Catholic Book Publishing, Orbis Press, Wipf and Stock, and Paulist Press (USA)
- Europe: Salvator (France), Scandinavia (Denmark) and Editrice Vaticana, the Vatican’s official publishing house.
These meetings were more than professional exchanges—they were moments of shared mission and mutual inspiration. Across continents, we found common ground in our dedication to truth, compassion, and spiritual growth.
Strengthening Bonds within the Claret Publishing Group
A highlight of the fair for us Claretians was reconnecting with fellow publishers from the Claret Publishing Group (CPG), a consortium of Claretian publishing houses worldwide. Notable encounters included:
- Brazil: Fr. Luis Erlin, CMF and Aliston Monte of Editora Ave Maria Press, where we presented the English edition of Fr. Erlin’s bestselling book Nine Months with Mary.
- Macau and Hong Kong: Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathyl, CMF, received from us the Philippine edition of his book Pope Leo XIV: The Pastor of the World, alongside Fr. José Cherukara, CMF.
Sri Lanka: Fr. Dilan Rojan, CMF, who joined the Frankfurt Book Fair for the first time, marking a meaningful milestone in his publishing journey.
These gatherings were deeply meaningful, reaffirming our shared vocation as Claretian Missionaries and collaborators inspired by Claret—to spread God’s word through every possible means, especially through the ministry of publishing.
The Frankfurt Book Fair, indeed, was not just a venue for books—it was a living testament to the imagination and heart of the Filipino people. It was also a moment for us Claretians in the publishing ministry in the Philippines to reaffirm our commitment to use what is urgent, timely and effective in our mission. As Claret wrote in his autobiography, the printed word could enter places where he could not and continue to preach the Gospel in his absence.
We return home inspired, grateful, and hopeful. The connections made, the stories exchanged, and the vision shared will continue to ripple through our work in publishing and evangelization. Truly, imagination does people the air—and in Frankfurt, it soared.
By: Robert U. Laurio
