The trilateral maritime exercise

INTEREST is building up this week as the Philippine Coast Guard will conduct its week-long first trilateral maritime exercise with its counterparts from the United States and Japan starting tomorrow.

Japan, Australia and the United States have frequently condemned China’s militarization in the South China Sea and have sought to engage closer with US ally the Philippines since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took over as president last year.

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The PBF has many exciting and interesting events that the public will enjoy.

Are you a Noranian, or a cinephile?

Here’s your chance to meet National Artist for Cinema Nora Aunor in person! She’ll be at the PBF on June 2, 4:00 p.m.

Together with actress Sue Prado and novelists Genevieve Asenjo and Luna Sicat-Cleto, she will pay tribute to the late novelist Lualhati Bautista whose literary works have reframed the story of the Filipina.

Jose Dalisay, PhD, will be at the Anvil booth to sign copies of his books, as will Maryanne Moll (author of The Maps of Camarines, published by Penguin Random House SEA) Norman Wilwayco (writer of Migrantik, published by Penguin Random House SEA), Wilfredo Liangco (author of Even Ducks Get Liver Cancer, released by Milflores Publishing), and many other writers.

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What’s the NBDB’s goal in conducting the PBF and its other activities?

The agency, said Aquino-Tugade, is working to ensure that the publishing industry is robust, and to build a culture of readership and authorship.

Over the last few years, the NBDB has focused on providing solutions to learning poverty and low-functioning literacy in the country.

The agency began its mission to educate children and their families about the wide range of Filipino-authored and published books through the Book Nook in 2021.

The program provides access to books and learning materials through the establishment of reading and storytelling centers in libraries, schools, and other locations, even buses, in remote areas.

“The Philippine Book Festival is here to educate the Pinoys about our books and spaces like this that provide access points where they can see, touch, read, and be exposed to these types of literary work,” adds Aquino-Tugade.

“It’s also our chance to show everyone that we have quality materials for libraries and educational institutions.”

The NBDB also funds and supports regional book fairs in the country such as the Bikol Book Festival.

It participates in international book fairs such as the Sharjah International Book Fair, Frankfurt Buchmesse, and London Book Fair as a means to promote Filipino literature globally. Register for free at www.philippinebookfest.com. Follow the NBDB and PBF on Facebook, and @bookfestph on Instagram and TikTok to stay updated

With the PBF, the NBDB is broadening its reach and making Filipino-authored and -published books available to more readers.

Described as the “largest traveling book festival” in the country, the PBF’s next leg will be held at SMX Davao from August 18 to 20.

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The coast guards will be holding communication and photo exercises, maneuvering drills, maritime law enforcement training, search and rescue operations, and passing exercises in waters off Mariveles in Bataan.

An arrival ceremony welcoming the US and Japanese contingents is set on tomorrow at the Pier 15 of Manila’s South Harbor.

The June 1 to 7 exercise was as initiative of the United States and Japan, while Australia would join as an observer, said Philippine coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo.

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, Japanese Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister Kenichi Matsuda, Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista, and Japan International Cooperation Agency Chief Philippine Representative Takema Sakamoto have been invited to attend the ceremony, PCG added. The exercises will be held amid continuing tensions between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, some parts of which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr. said the US Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard have been assisting the

These ‘trilateral modes of cooperation’ will be explored with countries such as Japan and Australia

Philippines “in our human resource development program, particularly in law enforcement training.” While some observers may put off-track meaning to the exercise, it is analeptic, as Balilo told media on Monday, since the exercises do not target any adversary, but are really more for the participating countries’ interoperability. He added this will allow PCG personnel to also showcase what they have learned from the mobile training units sent by the US and Japan.

“There is nothing wrong with holding exercises with your counterparts,” Balilo said.