The PBBY Board

The PBBY is a private, non-stock, non-profit organization committed to the development of children's literature in the Philippines. It is the Philippine National Section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), a world organization founded in Zurich in 1953 that promotes international understanding through children's books. The PBBY is the lead agency in the celebration of National Children's Book Day (NCBD). This is celebrated every third week of July to commemorate the anniversary of the publication of Jose Rizal's "The Monkey and the Turtle" in Trubner's Oriental Record in London.

The PBBY is composed of permanent and institutional members and individuals representing different sectors. The institutional members are The National Library, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Museo Pambata. The individual members represent educators, researchers, librarians, book reviewers, writers, illustrators, storytellers, publishers, booksellers and mass media.

OFFICERS

• Zarah Gagatiga (Chair)
• Dina Ocampo (Vice-Chair)
• Ani Rosa Almario (Secretary-General)
• Ramon Sunico (Treasurer)

PERMANENT MEMBERS

• The National Library represented by Prudenciana Cruz
• Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) represented by
  Fernando Josef
• Museo Pambata represented by Dr. Nina Lim-Yuson

SECTORAL REPRESENTATION

• Emily Abrera (mass media)
• Karina Africa-Bolasco (booksellers)
• Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz (book reviewers)
• Dr. Luis Gatmaitan (writers)
• Rizalina Labanda (educators)
• Dina Ocampo (researchers)
• Ramon C. Sunico (publishers)
• Ruben de Jesus (illustrators)
• Zarah Gagatiga (librarians)
• Sa Aklat Sisikat (reading advocacy)

HONORARY CHAIRMAN

• Dr. Lucrecia Kasilag, National Artist