On October 27, 2018, writers, illustrators, educators, students and children’s literature enthusiasts gathered to attend the first Pista! (Pambansang Komperensiya sa Panitikang Pambata).
Sponsored by Lampara Publishing House, Inc., the conference was directed by writerteacher China Patria de Vera and award-winning author Dr. Eugene Y. Evasco. Plenary speakers were Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu who talked about regional children’s literature, Mr. Segundo Matias, Jr. who discussed his young adult novel Mga Batang Poz and award-winning author Wilfredo Pascual who discussed the children’s literature in Asia and Africa.
