#TheBookStopProject

In case you don't know yet, there's a pop-up library currently located in front of Manila Cathedral in Plaza de Roma, Intramuros.

It is the brainchild of architectural firm WTA. They aspire to maximize the use of public spaces to promote reading books.

It's stylish as it can get. Truly an inviting centerpiece in Plaza de Roma, Intramuros

The rule in this open-space library is simple: give a book and get one of your liking in return. The 'policy' rests on public trust as it doesn't have a personnel monitoring the supposed barter. A WTA architect informed me that they are assigned to man the library for at least 1 hour a day. Some people give and don't get, while some get and don't give any.

I visited the library earlier today to watch a storytelling session in the park by Adarna Books volunteers. Storytelling is one of many pocket activities that WTA and #TheBookStopProject prepared for the public. 

In the photo below you can see a volunteer lively narrates "Ang Kwento ni Ampalaya" to random children. Seated at far right is Lyn Ching-Pascual, host of GMA's "Unang Hirit" and a reading advocate.

A WTA staff told me that next Saturday afternoon, Words Anonymous will perform live poetry for free!

From a communications and advocacy standpoint, I admire the creativity and passion of WTA in experimenting with the library's concept. It's no secret that reading books is becoming a challenge (and buying them, a luxury) and public spaces are getting hostile to and unprepared for creative ideas and executions. Not to mention that using them for free is likely impossible these days.

A WTA architect, however, expressed their company's confidence in the project. He said, (non-verbatim) "Nung first days may mga kumukuha lang. Pero at the end of the (installation period), mas marami pa rin ang new books. We have about 100 new books and about 500 visitors daily."

If these numbers are any indications to the future of literature, public participation, and more recreational and artistic public spaces, then I think we're heading in the right direction. Thanks to WTA for initiating such feat (I swear I don't know any of them.)

Before the library is in Intramuros, it spent two weeks at the heart of Ayala Triangle in Makati.

Book lovers can visit #TheBookStopProject everyday from 9AM to 10 PM until July 10, 2016. After in Intramuros, it will be transferred to Quezon City.

You can find out more details about it by searching for The Book Stop Project (@TheBookStopPH) on social media.

You can volunteer your time and talent, and donate old and unused books, and even money, to the cause.

Hurry and make a difference before the rainy season threatens the library (regarding this, another staff told me that they're working on it).

Ali

Last Wednesay, my churchmates and I went to Tahanan ng Pagmamahal (Home of Love) to serve as art instructors to almost 30 kids.

I observed and helped some kids while they were drawing 'the thing that makes them happy' but one kid stood out for me. His name is John Ali. 

Ali had a rough time starting his drawing. He couldn't identify a tangible thing that makes him happy so he just made a lettering of his name. This was his first work:

I told him to use the oslo paper and crayons we provided to enhance the quality of his work but he didn't follow. Later, I made a Sans Serif lettering of his name so he could somehow copy the pattern but he wasn't eager either. 

Ali was having a hard time between doing the task and wanting to do it beautifully at first try.

He stopped. I pushed him to try again.

Then he grabbed an oslo paper and made another lettering, this time with just his second name.

This was his second attempt:

He wrote A-L-I and made a free style border intuitively. I was impressed so I asked him to darken the outlines of A-L-I and the border for bolder impact, and he did.

Next thing I knew he was coloring the letters with red, orange, and yellow for a fiery look. He didn't want to finish the letter "I" but I insisted and this was the result:

It was way better than his first attempt. I was so glad for his humble accomplishment!

Ali helped me affirm what "try again" really means. Seeing his progress within only two hours was really worth that volunteer time we rendered.