Where it all began

(Article written in 1990)

It has long been said that deep in people's hearts, there is a void, a yearning, for a pattern and a way of life. The satisfaction of a want of this kind is not due entirely to the skill of the one who presents the solution but rather on the audience who wanted it in the first place. As Socrates once said, "the best flavoring for drink is thirst."

It is probably this fact that has made The Library what it is today. In it's four years of existence, it has gracefully metamorphosed from being an almost nondescript wall along Adriatico St., to being a vibrant melting pot with SRO crowds on weekends. More, it has become what it claims: a second home to a number of people.

Like a tapestry, The Library weaves a number of factors into a blend that is distinctly different. It;s mahogany panels, overflowing bookshelves and antique decors are contrasted with modern furnishings producing a cosy ambience that evoke both century-old wisdom and modern-day pragmatism. The walls reverberate with music that defies conventions: it is a place where opera and broadway hits are performed and applauded with the same gusto as the top 40s. And the crowd transcend labels. Here, you will find students mingling with uninhibitedly with artists, politicians guzzling beer with activists, and yuppies brushing elbows with journalists. Foreigners also make the place a harbor from their travels.

The Library was established in June 21, 1986. Andrew de Real, it's proprietor, then a freelance performing artist, envisioned a haven for people with the love for music and clean fun. The idea of setting up a "library" was inspired by the concept of "a place that's private yet buzzing with enlightened activity". As they say, the rest is history. Today, The Library has grown literally and figuratively. The floor space has grown with its clientele. It's former hosts have acquired names for themselves - Ai-ia de la Alas, Wonka (then plain Arnel Ignacio), Susan Reyes, and a number of other performers who have conquered bigger venues and following.

Private. Unique. Different

A second home.

The library.