First Impressions: My First Time at the Manila Pen Show 2026

Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist

If you’ve ever fallen down the rabbit hole of fountain pens, inks, and all things analog, then the Manila Pen Show 2026 is probably already on your radar, or at least it should be.

For the uninitiated, the Manila Pen Show is a yearly gathering of pen enthusiasts, collectors, artists, and curious newcomers, all brought together under one ink-stained roof, here in the Philippines. The event features a mix of local and international exhibitors: pen brands, ink makers, paper and notebook suppliers, and beloved art stores that tempt you into buying “just one more” notebook (which, of course, is never just one).

This year, it was held at the elegant Fairmont Hotel Makati, over the weekend of March 28–29, 2026. I dropped by on Sunday, arriving around 10:30 AM, thinking I was early.

I was wrong.

A Crowd of Ink Lovers

The event hall was already packed. And not just casually busy—packed. It was honestly a bit overwhelming at first, but also kind of heartwarming. There were people from all walks of life: students clutching their first fountain pens, seasoned collectors inspecting nibs and artisanal pens like jewelers, some testing inks with quiet intensity, even sketching on test notepads.

I spotted a few friends in the crowd and managed to say quick hellos. Others looked deeply immersed, mid-conversation, mid-purchase, or mid-ink-swatch—so I let them be. There’s a certain unspoken rule at events like this: if someone is hovering over a pen tray, they are in a sacred, decision-making trance.

My Modest (But Meaningful) Loot

I told myself I’d keep things simple. Reader, I tried.

Here’s what I came home with:

• Potentate watercolor sketchbooks from the Giftbox, Inc.
• Watercolor brushes and a palette from the same booth (I’m so glad they were in the MPS)
• A bottle of locally made ink: Troublemaker Inks in the dreamy shade Butterfly Dream
• Two Jinhao Shark fountain pens (because the reviews are just too good to ignore—more on this in a future post)
• A mini fountain pen-friendly notebook
• And… the unexpected star of the day: a Wancher Mofu Fountain Pen in Vanilla Milkshake

The Pen That Was Meant to Be

The Wancher booth had, hands down, some of the nicest staff at the event. Approachable, patient, and clearly passionate about what they do. I got to try several pens, but the Mofu in Vanilla Milkshake immediately stood out. Note that all their pens are smooth writers, I love their nibs and design. I actually own the Wancher Puchico which I made in the necklace and two MPS exclusive clicker fountain pens. The Wancher Mofu is gorgeous, chatoyant white translucent resin body—subtle, elegant, and quietly eye-catching. The nib? Smooth. Effortless. One of those pens that makes your handwriting look like you actually practiced.

Naturally, I asked if they still had one available.

They didn’t.

It had sold out the day before.

Cue internal heartbreak.

Still, I figured there was no harm in asking: “Would it be possible to buy the tester?” The salesperson hesitated (understandably), then consulted with a colleague. After a short discussion, they came back with a yes—and not just that, they offered it to me at ₱700 less than the SRP.

At that point, I was convinced: this pen was meant for me.

Final Thoughts

Will I go back next year?

Maybe.

But if I do, I’d definitely come more prepared—with a strict list of only the necessary items (we’ll see how that goes). I’d also make more of an effort to connect with fellow fountain pen friends, and maybe even sign up for a workshop or two. I didn’t stay long enough this time to fully experience that side of the event.

Still, for a first-timer, it was a memorable—and slightly dangerous—introduction to the Manila Pen Show.

Because once you start, it’s really hard to stop at just one pen.