MIRIAM'S "STUPID IS FOREVER" CONTINUES TO BREAK RECORDS

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago's joke book, Stupid is Forever, continues to be the best-selling book by a Filipino author this January 2015.

Retail giant National Bookstore recently published a list of the best-selling Philippine publications for January 2015. Stupid is Forever topped the list, followed by: (2) Dear Alex, Break Na Kami, Paano?! Love Catherine by Alex Gonzaga; (3) Paano Ba To?! by Bianca Gonzalez; (4) Help!!! Ayoko Na Sa Syota Ko! by Ramon Bautista; (5) Make Your Nanay Proud by Boy Abunda; (6) Si by Bob Ong; (7) Lovestruck: Sakit Edition by Ronald Molmisa; (8) Kontento Ka Na Ba Sa Pagpapalaki Ng Anak Mo? by Vic and Avelynn Garcia; (9) How To Live Longer by Dr. Willie Ong; and (10) Help! I'm A Bagaholic by Carmencita Sioson and Stefanie Cabal.

Since its release last 3 December 2014, Stupid is Forever has sold 110,000 copies. The best-selling record was previously held by Ramon Bautista for Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo?, which sold 100,000 copies in 18 months.

The senator hailed the resurgence in the popularity of Philippine titles. "I am very happy that Filipinos, especially young people, are reading books written by Filipino authors. This is very good for our publishing industry, and very encouraging for our young writers," she said.

"I want to foster a culture of reading among our young people. Read a lot, read everything you can get your hands on. If you don't like a book, that's alright. Hopefully, it will lead you to read better written books, the classics, books written by great writers," Santiago said. "Time is never wasted with a good book," she said.

Santiago's Stupid is Forever has garnered 4 out of 5 stars or a 92% positive feedback on the website www.goodreads.com. The website publishes book reviews submitted by netizens.

Santiago held a "meet and greet" with readers on 22 January 2015, at National Bookstore Glorietta, Makati. Hours before the event, the line of people to see Santiago was so long that it snaked from the first to the third floor of National Bookstore Glorietta. 500 signed copies of the book were sold out within one hour.