The Manila Pen Show 2025 made its return this past March at the The Peninsula Manila, fondly called “Manila Pen” by us, locals – and what a fitting venue it was for this event. As a first-timer to the Manila edition, I was overwhelmed by all there is to see.
This year’s show have exhibitors from across the Philippines and overseas which transformed the Peninsula Manila’s Upper Lobby into a busy marketplace filled with pens, inks and accessories. The atmosphere was literally buzzing, a testament to the thriving community of fountain pen collectors.
My day began early with the custom ink-blending event hosted by Sailor and brought to us by Scribe. Stay tuned for a dedicated blog post on this incredibly unique adventure for it deserves its own spotlight!
While waiting, I walked around the neighboring booths to explore the fountain pens at Promise of Spring. Their sparkly, handcrafted fountain pens immediately caught my eye. Perfect for adding a touch of personality to everyday writing, I treated myself to a shimmery gray fountain pen fitted with a medium nib.
Right next door was Glassophy glass pens. Glass pens were at the top of my wishlist, and I finally had the chance to try one. However, the tip of the glass pen I tested was a tad too broad for my preference. The booth was really busy and I wasn’t able to choose a pen that I liked.
I walked into the Conservatory and discovered On Inks, a local brand with a wide array of fountain pen inks. They had a LOT of inks to choose from and I honestly took a long time trying to decide what inks to choose. I happily added three 20ml bottles to my collection, along with a limited edition 50ml ink called “Lovesick.”
Thinking that my day at the Manila Pen Show was drawing to a close, I felt a slight disappointment at not yet finding my perfect glass pen (and perhaps a little guilt about my untouched budget!). But then, I overheard someone talking about more exhibitors downstairs. Alone and with heightened senses, off to the lobby level I went.
Downstairs was where I found the workshops and EVEN. MORE. VENDORS. The space was slightly less crowded and I had a more relaxed browsing experience. My first stop was Hachimonjiya, where the Kubozakura Bloom Pink fountain pen was on display. The Ginzan Snow Gray was equally pretty, and I mentally added it to my wish list for the future.
Finally, I arrived at the booth of Glass Studio Aun from Japan. Their glass pens were beautiful – delicate and intricate. Carefully trying a fine-tipped pen, I instantly knew I had found what I was looking for. The glass pen’s 3D patterns and shifting colors, influenced by the surroundings’ colors and viewing angle, made the pens unique. The staff were really nice and they patiently answered all my newbie questions about glass pens. In the end, I purchased the “Moon (Tuki)” pen, which appeared blue against a white backdrop and transformed into a yellow shade against black.
My experience at the Manila Pen Show 2025 was memorable. Despite my credit card perhaps needing a little recovery time, I’m already eagerly anticipating the next edition. I’m happy to see that there’s a vibrant and passionate fountain pen community here in Manila, and I recommend the Manila Pen Show to anyone with an appreciation for beautiful pens and inks.
Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll tell you all about the custom ink blending event with Sailor at the Manila Pen Show!
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