The Library at Sixteen!

(Article written by Pilar Mateo in 2001, in "G" magazine)

Sixteen years may well be worth a hundred and two for people who have considered the Library to be their second home. People whose nights won't be complete if they don't spend an hour or two, and for most, 'til the wee hours of the morning savouring the kind of entertainment that's not seen anywhere else, but usually imitated.

Andrew Sunio de Real, the owner and the brains behind what makes this sing-along bar click to all of its growing clientele, is never without a frown is his face.

The magic?

"I don't have any magic wand 'coz I'm not a fairy but the people I've helped, especially my talents and the other bar owners as well, consider me as one.

"Maybe it's my sincerity and honest-to-goodness support and the transparency in helping people achieve their goals."

What's in a sing-along bar anyway?

"It's not just a typical business. It is an entertainment business. Many have sprouted and each gives out their kind of image, like the concept we have for now. There are those who have live bands in them and at the same time, meron ding mga nagpapatawa. And for me, this has been very rewarding, because I can now say that I have mastered the 'ins and outs' of this business. I believe there's a big market for the entertainment business or industry. Helping aspiring entertainers to develop their crafts."

What about the competition/rivalry?

"I don't compete with anybody. For me, that's self-destructing. I only do my best to improve my business and craft. There are people who practice the art of 'killing each other's business'. I don't! And I won't encourage new business entrepreneurs to practice that because that is very dangerous. I've always believed in the law of karma. 'Pag gumawa ka ng masama, masama rin ang balik sa 'yo." And he really helped the rest. Mr. Melody, E-Bar, Punchline, Primadiva, Laffline, Adlib. Concierto. Any more?

"The saying, 'the more the merrier' may be a cliche, But that is very true. I'm just thankful that the people behind all these bars have trusted in my capacity to give them a cent's worth of my advice to them. Nagkakatulungan naman, eh. Because I also let talents of the Library use their abilities in those establishments. Not everyone can go to M. Adriatico street in Malate to see the wares my talents have to offer. So, sila ang pumupunta sa mga tao. To be able to reach them as well."

Do your talents also feel jealousy among themselves? Talk about favouritism. How do you handle your talents?

"handling talents is not an easy job. It's so taxing and draining. It's a good thing na I don't give up easily in developing talents. Pilit kong hinahanap and 'strong points' ng talents and cure his or her weak points. Basta lahat sila, may gamit sa mundo ng entablado. As they say, nobody's born a comedian or entertainer but somebody has to do the job. So, when I see that someone has the potential, pinagtitiyagaan ko. Until he or she reaches that point that you can let him or her do his or her thing on stage. Basta lahat may gamit. Lahat may paglalagyan. Different strokes for different folks!"

What's your reaction when other comedians copy or imitate your talents?

"Allan K. has been victimised for so many times. But what can we do? It becomes a disadvantage lang when the same audience would see both. Sana lang, they would use rin naman their so-called talents. Kung may talent ka, you would know how to utilize it and not just copy or imitate someone na naghirap naman sa ginagawa nila."

Now, let's go to the Library's celebration of its sixteenth anniversary and weeklong celebration that would commence on June 21. What are we going to expect here?

"We will be giving awards to our deserving talents. Even our customers who have been with the Library for years. Pero comedy rin ang mga awards tulad ng Look of the Year, Producer of the Year, Show of the Year, Rain or Shine Award (which yours truly have been awarded for three consecutive years!), PCYR (Please Change Your Repertoire) Award, Tinig Awards (the best singers), Entertainer of the Year, Best Dressed Performer, Fashion Victim, Best Showcase and Best Single Performance. I am just happy that I'm able to give a lot of people what they deserve, in being able to share their kind of entertainment with the people who watch them."

Are there any plans of putting up another branch somewhere else?

"There was a time when I thought of that. But I think, it's okay now to have just one. But I'm also putting up other concept bars of my own. We've recently opened a dance club called The Mint at Ma. Orosa street, just a few walks away from the Library."

he manages the sing-along bar. He manages talents. He writes scripts. Directs here and abroad, and even book other artists as well. Is there anything else that an Andrew de Real misses doing?

"Wish ko lang na sana kahit minsan lang I could act again onstage. With them. But that's just a wishful thinking. It has been a long time when I also acted on stage. Dito, mas nasasarapan ako na pinapanood sila and them being able to do what I would want to see in them onstage. And for them to receive the accolades, malaking bagay na 'yon for me. Being their mentor and all!"

Truly indeed, the Library is not just for books to read. But a place where everyone is unique and can stand out. Maging sino man siya!

Happy sweet 16th!