UST PUBLISHING House released several new titles during the 34th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia from Sept. 11 to 15.
Released were “Canticos: Apat na Boses,” a collection of Filipino and Bicol poetry by poet-filmmaker Kristian Cordero; “St. Thomas in a Minor Key,” a play by the late literary titan Ophelia Dimalanta; and “Burning Houses,” a collection of beautifully crafted poems by Palanca awardee Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta.
The UST Publishing House is recognized as one of premiere academic presses to grace the book fair each year.
The Publishing House is expected to go digital and consider eBooks as a medium, recognizing the need to adapt to technological advancements in order to stay relevant.
“We love print and we want to stay in the traditional publishing of printed books as much as possible,” Wigley said. “But this is the future of the book industry and we already have tie-ups with [several] eBook publishers.”
Wigley added that since Publishing House does not have the capacity to create eBooks independently, it will collaborate with other publishers
Technological advancement has allowed bibliophiles to acquire digital copies of their favorite books on their cellphones instead of buying the old-fashioned, page-turning paperback, he said.
Other major local bookstores and publishers such as National Bookstore and C & E Publishing have already adapted to the digitalization of books. National Bookstore has collaborated with Toronto-based e-reader Kobo Inc., which produces a portable device that is compatible with eBook reading. Andre Arnold T. Santiago and Nikka Lavinia G. Valenzuela