We hope you still have some holiday season money lying around, because the Manila Pen Show 2024 edition is happening on March 16-17! There are lots of familiar names coming back to the show, with a handful of shops debuting locally. So if you’re a fountain pen hobbyist in the Philippines, this is one weekend event that you shouldn’t miss.
Note: This list will be updated up until the week before the Manila Pen Show.
Manila Pen Show 2024 floor map
Who are selling what?
Just like last year, we list down all the shops and services that you’ll encounter. If this guide becomes a little bit intimidating, we have theme-focused guides coming up in the next few days.
READ: 5 reasons why Manila Fountain Pen Show is worth checking out
Specialists and shared tables
Aside from tables featuring just one line of products, some makers and exclusive distributors have joined forces to sell their creations from the same space. Here they are, arranged by category.
Pen brands
Kasama
Last year’s Manila Pen Show exclusive was the Kasama Tala Takipsilim (sundown)
The first Filipino fountain pen will be there once again after debuting at the first Manila Fountain Pen Show back in 2018. The brand currently has two models available, with a third one coming up. There’s no date yet for the Kalayaan’s release. But will we get to see even a demo unit on display? We can only hope.
READ: Kasama Una: 5 years later
De Sara Pen
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The third Filipino pen brand focuses on metal bodies. It will be making its Manila Pen Show debut together with fellow newcomer pen maker…
Promise of Spring
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These locally-made epoxy resin fountain pens made by Promise of Spring look like gems in person, so be prepared when you visit their table with they will also be sharing with…
Cat Custom Crafts
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Cat Custom Crafts turns humble Jinhaos to art pieces that you can write with.
Lamy
The German line is one of the big brands to have a solid presence in the Philippines. Last year, they sold a Philippine flag-inspired colorway, and we only found out about it on the day itself! So there’s definitely a lot of surprises when you attend the actual show.
Bokumondoh
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The Manila Pen Show will be welcoming Toky0-based urushi studio Bokumondoh for the first time this year! While you will see different Japanese pens offered, these are all made extra special with the unique touch of artisan Sajiro Makino.
Sey Pens
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Made in Japan, Sey Pens creates original pens feature distinctly-Japanese finishes such as tamenuri, maki-e, raden, and tsugaru-nuri.
Stylo Art Karuizawa
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Japan-based Motoshi Kazuno creates original fountain pens from a wide range of materials featuring different kinds of finishes. This is also their first time appearing at the Manila Pen Show.
Glassophy
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If you’re looking specifically for glass pens so you can easily switch between different inks, then Hong Kong-based Glassophy is just right for you.
Inks
Inks by Vinta
Vinta is a Filipino name for a colorful sail, and its colorful ink options never fail to impress.
READ: Vinta Inks set sail for PH fountain pens
On Inks
After a successful debut, last year’s Manila Pen Show newcomer returns! On Inks will share its table with Leather Luxe.
Peter Bangayan
Peter Bangayan is the reason why Philippine-exclusive Diamine inks exist, aside from bringing the brand locally. That only means one thing: there’s another exclusive color coming! Peter will be sharing a table with Gav n Sav and new local store Manila Penography.
Troublemaker Inks
Since the pandemic hit, the Cebu-based duo focused their efforts to providing their products directly to stationery businesses. So getting ink directly from them only happens at the Manila Pen Show these days. Otherwise, you’ll have to try your luck through shops.
READ: These ‘troublemakers’ want to ink your fountain pens with no trouble
Notebooks
Of course you’ll never run out of notebook options at the Manila Pen Show. Here, you’re sure to get one that can handle fountain pen ink properly. But there is one brand of notebook that stands alone again this year, which is…
Musubi
The Singapore-based shop will be back with their handbound journals, but they have pen cases too. Aside from notebooks carrying Tomoe River Paper and other known sheets, we can also expect their originally-developed paper Musubi Rasa.
Accessories
Gav n Sav
For cloth-based pen wraps, Gav n Sav is worth checking out. The handmade products will be available on Peter Bangayan’s table together with Manila Penography.
Leather Library
Leather Library returns with notebooks and covers of different sizes.
Leather Luxe
Another Manila Pen Show newcomer is Leather Luxe, a Baguio-based artisan making bespoke cases for pens. They will share a table with ON Inks.
Toyooka Craft
The Japanese wood-working firm will have their sophomore year at the local pen show, after receiving a warm response from last year’s edition. If you’re looking for premium boxes for your pens, visit them early!
Shops
These are stalls that sell a variety of products, with more than two brands available.
READ| Where to buy fountain pens online
Aesthetic Bay
Singapore-based shop Aesthetic Bay will be back with grail-level pens! So if you convinced yourself last year to get that Nakaya or premium Japanese brand pen next time, that next time is coming in March.
EndlessPens
US-based EndlessPens makes its Manila Pen Show debut, but it has already been supporting local pen events such as the annual Pelikan Hub through raffles. They bring in store-exclusive pens and inks, with the convenience of seeing them up close and not through a screen.
Everything Calligraphy
Local online shop Everything Calligraphy is bringing its wares offline with a wide selection of pens, inks, and papers. A
Guia’s Vintage Pens
If you’re looking for fountain pens that your grandparents probably used, or just prefer the classic look then visit Guia’s Vintage Pens. Like what we wrote last year, these are “heirloom-worthy indeed!”
Muze Pens
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Another Manila Pen Show newcomer, this shop from Hong Kong brings in lots of ink, paper, and pens that are not usually found in Philippine-based shops.
Nagasawa
Kobe-headquartered stationery shop Nagasawa makes its Philippine debut this year with a sought-after lineup of products that are usually found only in Japan.
Pengallery
If you’re crazy abour Tomoe River Paper, then grab Malaysia-based Pengallery‘s very own Livenotes! You can also get other nib, ink, and paper options that are not easily available in the Philippines.
Pengrafik
If you’re looking for uncommon pens, inks, and accesories, Pengrafik is a must visit! They will also carry the second Filipino fountain pen brand, F Inks.
READ| Fountain pen face-off: Kasama vs f-inks
Scribe
A fountain pen event won’t be complete without Scribe, which was the first local source of hobbyists since the early years of FPN-P. Drop by to know what “napadaan lang sa Scribe” means.
Stationer Extraordinaire
Online seller Stationer Extraordinaire started selling Kawecos a few years ago, but they have since expanded to offering other products and accessories
LIST: Filipino brands for fountain pen folks in the Philippines
Specialists
Need some nib work done? These are experts that can check your pens at the venue.
John Lim
JP’s Pen Spa and Nib works
Sunny Koh of Straits Pens
Matthew Chen
What can we learn about?
Just like last year, there will be a series of workshops and discussion sessions where attendees can learn more about the hobby. Details on these activities, together with the schedule, will be posted here as soon as they are finalized.
Organized by Fountain Pen Network-Philippines (FPN-P), the Manila Pen Show 2024 is a 2-day gathering of enthusiasts and sellers focusing on the hobby of fine writing. This will be held at the 5th floor of Holiday Inn and Suites Makati on March 16-17 at 9am to 6pm. Fees for entrance and workshops will be published soon.
