Ang Pahayagan

Story by Marti Dumaguing

Olongapo City — For the first time ever, Big Bad Wolf Books, the world’s biggest traveling book sale, is making its grand debut in Olongapo, bringing with it over one million brand-new English books at discounts of up to 95% off.

From September 19 to 28, 2025, the SMX Convention Center Olongapo will be transformed into a massive book haven where readers young and old can hunt down treasures, whether it’s children’s picture books, young adult adventures, pulse-pounding thrillers, inspiring non-fiction, cookbooks, or timeless classics.

Big Bad Wolf is more than a book sale,it’s a movement. Since its founding in Malaysia in 2009, it has grown into a global advocacy for reading, traveling across 17 countries and 55 cities with one mission: to make books accessible and affordable for everyone.

During the press conference on September 8, Country Head Ley Almeda highlighted this mission:

“We really cannot change the world if we only go to bigger cities. That’s why we’re here in Olongapo, to reach more communities and inspire the youth through books.”

Regional Head Bernard Lee underscored the heart behind the Wolf’s operations, stressing that the event is not just about selling books”

“We have children’s books, fiction, non-fiction, and many others. We can sell at a retail price but we choose not to because we still believe and we still hold to our mission.”

Beyond great deals, the Olongapo sale also champions community impact. Shoppers can purchase books not just for themselves, but also for donation to local schools and organizations through the book donation drive. Local publishers will also be given free space to showcase their works, further promoting Philippine literature.

Logistics may have been a challenge, bringing in containers of books and manpower isn’t easy, but the organizers are determined. With up to 1 million books available, readers from Olongapo, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, and nearby provinces can look forward to 11 days of affordable discoveries and book-hunting adventures.

As Big Bad Wolf continues to grow, Olongapo now joins the ranks of cities like Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro in welcoming the iconic sale. And with it, a new chapter opens for book lovers eager to chase stories, collect knowledge, and celebrate the joy of reading.