Sixteen Years of Bliss (The Library at 16)

(Article written by Pilar Mateo in 2001, from "Intrigue")

THE LIBRARY sing-along bar on M. Adriatico Street in Malate used to be a hang-out mostly for artists.

Back in 1986, that would be the time that you would see artists from stage, television and whatever go there to unwind, have a chit-chat and just while away the time.

That same time you would see an Arnell lgnacio, taking time out from his busy schedules in Olongapo, traipsing the very small stage of the Library donning a skirt and a yellow-colored wig and giving so much entertainment to a small crowd.

When people have started pouring out at the Library, and seeing other artists-to-be showing off their wares onstage, that was the time the owner, Andrew Sunio de Real decided to grabe the nearby space and extend the sing-along bar.

At du’n na nagsiladlad ang marami pang mga artists na kinagigiliwan sa kasalukuyan sa live stage.

Kaya, kung ‘break’ ng sang Allan K. sa Japan, he would do his stints at the Library. Hanggang sa marami na ang mga nagsisunurang mga performers. Na ang karamihan nga eh, mga customer lang sa simula pero kapag nakitaan na ni Mamu (as what Allan K. baptized the owner), ng potensyal eh, dini-develop niya at saka isasalang na sa regular hosting job sa nasabing lugar.

Napakarami na ngang nagsisulputang sing-along bars in our midst. Pero sa labing-anim na taon ng The Library, ito pa rin ang may ‘k’ na tawaging ‘second home’ ng mga tao’ng naging suki na sa gabi-gabi’ng kakaibang mga palabas na nasisilayan.

‘Di na kumakagat si Mamu sa mga intrigang ipinupukol ng detractors ng nasabing lugar. Pero, alam naman ng management ng The Library ang ibang wannabes na kunwa ay pupunta lang sa The Library pero ‘yun pala eh, kinokopya na ang anumang ginagawa ng mga hosts niya onstage.

Pero, sa tingin ni Mamu, kaya nga kinokopya ang mga acts niya, at pati na scripts eh, ninanakaw eh, dahilan nga sa di naman ganoong kadali ang mga ginagawa rin niyang scripts sa mga idinidirek din naman niyang palabas sa ibang mga venues.

Hindi naniniwala si Mamu sa ‘patayan’ ng mga sumusunod pang sumulpot na mga sing-along bars. In fact, siya pa nga ang kinukuhang adviser o consultant ng maraming mga bagong sing-along bars sa kasalukuyan. Gaya ng Mr. Melody, Punchline, Primadiva, F-Bar, Adlib, Talk About, Concierto at Laffline.

Kaya, ang mga talents ng The Library eh, nakikita rin sa nasabing mga pugad ng entertainment at naisasama rin naman sa ibang mga budding artists na orig naman sa nasabing mga lugar.

What’s in store for the Library’s sweet sixteenth anniversary?

“Nakagawian na naming ‘yung pagbibigay ng awards every year. Katuwaan naman ‘yon at para na ring incentive, hindi lang sa mga hosts or sa lahat ng involved sa The Library but the customers as well.”

The awards to be given out for the weeklong celebration (culminating on June 21 )are Look of the Year, Producer of the Year, Show of the Year~ PCYR (Please Change Your Repertoire), Tinig Awards, Entertainer of the Year, Best Dressed Performer, Fashion Victim, Best Showcase, Best Single Performer and Rain or Shine Award (which yours truly got for 3 consecutive years).

“A way of thanking the people who have been to the Library for all the years. With the help of course of our good friends and sponsors.”

All in all, the Library boasts of a growing number of talents. Fifty more or less. From the likes of Allan K., Phillip Lazaro, Arnell Tamayo, Martin Mijares, Rey Kilay, Vivorah, Ron Riano, Bacci, Anton Ragaza to the newest ones like Kim, Pooh, AJ, Paula, Ten and the sought after group collectively known as Raging Divas.