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Filipinos continue to see reading as a source of comfort, escape, and learning. But as book prices climb and access to titles remains uneven, a growing number of readers are finding that the hobby they love harder to sustain.
Data from the 2023 National Readership Survey, commissioned by the National Book Development Board, showed that 89% of Filipino adults still view reading as a positive activity. Most readers also continue to prefer physical books, with 74% choosing printed copies.
Still, fewer Filipinos are reading for leisure. The share dropped to 42% in 2023, down from 54% in 2012.
Online, many readers point to the rising cost of books as a major barrier.
“Back then, you could get paperback books for around ₱250 to ₱350,” a Reddit user said. “Now, ordinary paperback copies of the series I like cost no less than ₱600.”
Others noted that bigger novels are worth ₱700 or more—an expense that could be harder to justify amid rising living costs.
“That’s why I decided to buy an e-reader,” a user said. “I still get sad because the physical book experience is so nice. But I’ll really save more money with an e-reader.”
“Pero iba pa rin talaga feeling nung hawak mo mismo yung libro,” another user added.
The country’s geography as an archipelago also drives up costs, as books often have to be transported across islands before reaching readers.
Moreover, libraries and bookstores are concentrated in urban centers, leaving many communities with limited access to reading spaces.
According to the National Library of the Philippines, Metro Manila—home to over 12 million people—has 452 public libraries and 390 bookstores.
Data on bookstores outside the capital is not consistently available across all regions, but library distribution still highlights the disparity.
The 208,000-population Ifugao, for instance, has only two libraries. Samar, which has 800,000 residents, has just one.
Down south, in the Davao region—home to about 4.7 million people—there are only 32 libraries and 63 bookstores. In Lanao Del Sur, with a population of 1.3 million, has are four libraries.
Filipinos still want to read but for many, rising costs and uneven access make that habit further out of reach.
(✍️: John Lloyd Aleta)
#radarPHBusiness #radarPH
MANILA, Philippines — For the first time in her career, Alex Eala will enter a Grand Slam event as a seeded player—at her favorite tournament, Wimbledon.
Read more: https://t.co/sRhIaWLFaA
Just hearing Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes talk about their Baler experience made me believe that players shouldn't be blamed in that tragedy. I mean they almost died too.
MARCOS CALLS SPECIAL SESSION OF CONGRESS
BREAKING: President Bongbong Marcos has called Congress into a special session on June 17 to fast-track priority measures on social protection, education, healthcare, and assistance for vulnerable sectors.
Under Proclamation No. 1318, lawmakers will be asked to act on several pending bills, including the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Law, the AICS Act, amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, and measures aimed at improving nutrition, healthcare, and access to education.
Marcos said the move was prompted by the need to address the impact of recent calamities, including the Mindanao earthquake, as well as ongoing energy challenges facing the country. | @TristanNodalo
A NEW TEAM WILL BE CROWNED CHAMPION
South Korea beats defending champion Vietnam in the semifinals, 25-20, 25-19, 25-22, to advance to the gold medal match of the #AVCWomensCup.
The Koreans will face Chinese Taipei in the final on Sunday. #AVC2026 | via @kennedyzcaacbay
Gusto mong mag-upskill pero walang budget? Panoorin ito at i-share para makatulong sa iba!
Lifehack: Maaaring mag-enroll sa libreng online courses tungkol sa digital skills, negosyo, agriculture, construction, at iba pa. Pumunta lamang sa https://t.co/xjBYdcrbmA!
By imposing sanctions on the Philippine Secretary of National Defense, China is striking at the sovereign decisions of the Republic of the Philippines. As a Cabinet official and the President’s alter ego on defense and security, Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro articulates and implements national policy. Punishing him and his family for doing so is a direct affront not only to him, but to the President, the Philippine state, and our constitutional order.
This marks a clear escalation in China’s pattern of coercion and intimidation against a smaller neighbor that, despite repeated provocations, has consistently responded with diplomacy, restraint, and adherence to the rule of law. The Philippines has chosen legal remedies, including the legally binding 2016 arbitral award, and transparent, rules-based engagement instead of brinkmanship.
By sanctioning a sitting Cabinet member for defending an arbitral ruling and asserting rights guaranteed under international law, China diminishes its own standing in the community of nations. Such actions undermine its claim to be a responsible major power and only strengthen the resolve of democracies — big and small — to stand together against coercion.
FOR THE ADILI FAMILY 🦅
Divine Adili's bereaved family has opened a financial portal for contributions from the general public through Prince Eze's account, with the QR code attached below.
#UAAPSeason89@spinph
Ipinagdiriwang natin ngayon ang Araw ng Kalayaan na pagod ang katawan pero puno ng pag-asa ang puso.
Pagod dahil ang ating lupang hinirang, patuloy na niyayanig ng kalamidad. Ang ating perlas ng silangan, patuloy na ginigipit ng mga dayuhang barko at ng mga korap na lingkod-bayan.
Pero ang bayan kong magiliw, umaasa, umaawit, at nagsisikap pa rin.
Ang ating kalayaan, binayaran ng dugo ng ating mga ninuno na namatay nang dahil sa ’yo — dahil sa atin na kanilang kinabukasan. Ngayon, binabayaran natin ito ng pawis at buwis.
Ang araw na ito ay paalala na ang kalayaan ay may kaakibat na pananagutan. Tumindig tayo sa ngalan ng dangal, katotohanan, at bayan.
Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan, Pilipinas! 🇵🇭
Sana last natong AVC 2026 as a turning point para ayusin ng PNVF mga decision nila. We could've have this Alas core representing us. Very sad. Di ko na kakayanin if magpatuloy pa ang pananalot sa next generation. (Almendralejo-Cantada-Celis etc.)
#AVCWomensCup#AlasPilipinas
JUST IN: The semifinal hopes of 🇵🇭 Alas Pilipinas have been dashed, as they are no longer in contention for a spot in the AVC Cup Final Four. 💔
#AVCCup2026#volleyball#AlasPilipinas
📸 AVC
Ang UP Diliman Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas ay tumatanggap ng aplikasyon para sa programang Associate in Arts sa Malikhaing Pagsulat sa Filipino hanggang Hulyo 3.
I-scan lamang ang QR code na nasa larawan sa mga nais magpasa ng aplikasyon.