Wattpad Returns to Manila International Book Fair, Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Wattpad celebrates its 20th anniversary at the Manila International Book Fair 2026 with Filipino superstar writers, exclusive fan activities, author signings, meet-and-greets, and a special mainstage panel at the SMX Convention Center.
- 20th Anniversary: Wattpad is returning to the Manila International Book Fair from September 9 to 13, 2026, celebrating two decades of digital storytelling with its large community of Filipino readers and writers.
- Star Writers: Popular Filipino Wattpad authors including Knightinblack, beeyotch, CeCeLib, eatmore2behappy, and 4reuminct are joining signings and meet-and-greets throughout the five-day event.
- Fan Activities: Visitors can complete Wattpad's "Reader Passport" challenge for exclusive anniversary merchandise, join special booth activities, and attend the "Just One More Chapter" mainstage panel.
Wattpad is celebrating a major milestone this year as the global webnovel platform marks its 20th anniversary with an official return to the Manila International Book Fair or MIBF 2026.
Happening from September 9 to 13, 2026 at the SMX Convention Center, the five-day celebration will bring together some of the Philippines' most popular Wattpad writers and their fans for signings, meet-and-greets, exclusive giveaways, interactive activities, and a special discussion about storytelling.
The Philippines has grown to become one of Wattpad's largest global markets, making Manila an appropriate destination for the platform to commemorate two decades of bringing writers and readers together online.
Filipino Wattpad Stories Continue to Make Their Mark
Filipino writers have certainly played an important role in Wattpad's growth, with several locally created stories building enormous online fandoms before expanding into other forms of entertainment.
Some have accumulated hundreds of millions of reads, reached best-seller lists, and eventually been adapted into television shows and movies, showing how a story that begins online can potentially reach an even larger mainstream audience.
At MIBF 2026, Wattpad will bring together several of the writers behind these popular works.
Among them is Knightinblack, whose Hell University has accumulated more than 183 million reads, as well as beeyotch, writer of Seducing Drake Palma, with more than 85 million reads.
CeCeLib, whose Possessive series has generated over 80 million reads, will also participate in several scheduled sessions during the book fair.
Wattpad Reader Passport and Exclusive Merchandise
Those visiting MIBF shouldn't just expect author appearances.
Wattpad is setting up an interactive booth at Booths 2-156 and 2-157 on the second floor of the SMX Convention Center, which will be open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM PHST throughout the event.
Visitors can participate in a special "Reader Passport" challenge, which gives fans an opportunity to collect exclusive merchandise created for Wattpad's 20th anniversary.
The booth will also become a meeting place for the Wattpad community, with author signings and meet-and-greets scheduled across three days.
For longtime Filipino Wattpad readers, these activities provide a chance to finally meet some of the writers behind stories they may have followed chapter by chapter online.
Wattpad and Hershey's Team Up for Special MIBF Activation
Wattpad is also continuing its collaboration with The Hershey Company at this year's Manila International Book Fair.
The two brands have worked together over the years to support Filipino storytelling and will hold a special booth activation featuring two creators behind highly successful Wattpad stories.
Fans can meet eatmore2behappy, writer of Ang Mutya Ng Section E, which has recorded more than 171 million reads, and 4reuminct, whose The Rain in España has accumulated more than 161 million reads.
Their special meet-and-greet will happen on September 12, 2026.
Attendees can sample Hershey's chocolates, participate in an interactive game, and get signed copies of special branded editions of the featured stories.
"Just One More Chapter" Mainstage Panel
Beyond the individual author sessions, Wattpad is bringing its writers to the MIBF main stage for a deeper conversation about creating stories and building connections with readers.
The panel, entitled "Just One More Chapter," will take place on Friday, September 11, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM PHST at the ground floor stage area of the SMX Convention Center.
The discussion will feature some of Wattpad's biggest Filipino writers as they talk about their stories, inspirations, and creative journeys.
For aspiring Filipino writers attending MIBF, the discussion could also offer an interesting look into how creators develop ideas and grow their stories through a digital storytelling platform.
Wattpad at MIBF 2026 Schedule
The Wattpad Booth and Reader Activations will run from Wednesday, September 9, until Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM PHST daily.
Visitors can find Wattpad at Booths 2-156 and 2-157 on the second floor of the SMX Convention Center.
The MIBF 2026 "Just One More Chapter" Panel will be held on Friday, September 11, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM PHST at the SMX Convention Center's ground floor stage area.
Meanwhile, Wattpad's author signings and meet-and-greets will follow this schedule:
Friday, September 11
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM PHST: pilosopotasya, House_of_Sol, arrowheads
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM PHST: barbsgalicia, MsKindGirl, Maria_Carcat, cinnderella
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM PHST: CeCeLib, RaceDarwin, Makiwander, CengCrdva
Saturday, September 12
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM PHST: eatmore2behappy, Knightinblack, justcallmecai, nininininaaa
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM PHST: 4reuminct, Girlinlove, SGWannaB, beeyotch
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM PHST: CeCeLib, Heartlessnostalgia, AkoSiIbarra, missgrainne
Sunday, September 13
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM PHST: VentreCanard, sielalstreim, JFstories
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM PHST: CeCeLib, HiroYuu101, Irshwndy
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM PHST: Alluringli, sulatniserene, starjeizing
Two Decades of Connecting Writers and Readers
Twenty years is an impressive milestone for a digital platform, especially considering how dramatically the internet and the way people consume entertainment have evolved during that period.
Wattpad's longevity also highlights how online communities have changed the traditional path between writers and their audiences. Stories no longer necessarily have to begin with a conventional publishing deal before they can find readers. Digital platforms have given aspiring writers another way to share their ideas, build communities, and potentially take their stories beyond the screen.
This is particularly visible in the Philippines, where Wattpad stories and writers have developed strong followings and, in several cases, successfully crossed over into books, movies, and television.
Today, Wattpad is part of WEBTOON Entertainment's IP and Creator Ecosystem, where approximately 155 million monthly active users discover stories across multiple formats.
For Filipino fans, Wattpad's 20th anniversary celebration at MIBF 2026 brings that digital storytelling community into the real world for five days. Whether you're following a favorite author, hoping to collect anniversary merchandise, or simply looking for your next story to read, there should be plenty to check out at the Wattpad booth this September.
Fans who want real-time updates and behind-the-scenes coverage during the event can also follow @WattpadFilipino.
