In Barangay La Paz, Makati City, a quaint little house stands owned by Hernando Guanlao, more affectionately known by the community as Mang Nanie. Most might simply think of him as a friendly neighborhood literature collector, especially with the abundance of crates and tables overflowing with heaps of books adorning his outside gate. But in reality, his unassuming space is the heart of Reading Club 2000, a free-for-all library where stories are shared and the eagerness to learn is nurtured.
For nearly 25 years, Mang Nanie has devoted himself to the pursuit of knowledge-sharing. With a grand collection of books in his home-turned-library, a haven for learning, imagination, and community was built.
The library’s rules are simple: there are none. True to its ethos of free access to knowledge, Mang Nanie operates it with an open-door, no-rules policy. Departing from traditional libraries, there are no borrowing policies, cataloging systems, and membership requirements. Anyone can take a book, borrow it for as long as they need, and return it at their convenience—if they choose to return it at all.
One chapter at a time
Operating a library is by no means an easy feat, as housing a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom often comes with an immense upkeep. In the case of the Reading Club 2000, its maintenance relies on the intimate connections that Mang Nanie has with his family and his patrons. The fledgling library has donations from places as far as the mind can conjure. His collection has grown immensely from these contributions—ranging from medical references and pocket fiction to elementary textbooks and children’s tales. Mang Nanie’s library certainly has a book for everyone.
However, not every experience in the humble library is chock-full of fairy tales. Among Mang Nanie’s regular clientele are the children from nearby slums and distant provinces he often visits. And while some arrive at his doorstep with an eagerness to read, a hunger for knowledge sometimes pales in comparison to a child’s longing for food and other necessities. “When the kids enter here, they ask for storybooks. Sometimes, they also ask for me to add extra clothes and toys,” he reminisces.
And even the most generous heart has its limits. With the library running solely on book donations, Mang Nanie can only offer what he has on hand—and it’s often not enough.
To top it all off, the homegrown collector’s large selection of books often succumb to the forces of nature due to improper waterproofing and aged books’ maintenance. The books often end up weathered and decayed by water damage due to heavy rains and flooding. Yet still, an optimistic Mang Nanie perseveres.
Creating one’s story
In the face of adversity and change, Mang Nanie insists that one simply has to be “very strong in [their] emotion” to overcome any obstacle. Equipped with endless optimism, his sunny disposition continuously inspires warmth among patrons of the Reading Club 2000. His philosophy emphasizes the power of magandang kaisipan, or positive thinking, in directing one’s behavior. “Hindi pwedeng paghiwalayin ang kasiyahan at kalungkutan,” this belief of Mang Nanie has allowed him to balance difficult situations with a unique steadiness.
(You cannot separate happiness and sadness.)
Despite the hardships his library faces, people continue to flock to the library—especially students. Trisha, a student who lives nearby, shares her gratitude for Mang Nanie’s generous offer of access to his trinkets of knowledge. “It’s very helpful for us because I know that I can’t just afford these kinds of books. At least here, I [can] get to the books I want to read because they’re free,” she reflects. These stories are real-life results of Mang Nanie’s advocacy to provide accessible knowledge for everyone, one book at a time.
Turning pages
What Mang Nanie strives for is to equip individuals—most especially the youth—with the tools to create solutions for present challenges, and in anticipation for the future. It is in libraries and books, he says, where people can unearth the limitless treasures of knowledge. “‘Pag may problema kayo, basahin niyo ang libro. Nandiyan ang solusyon,” he remarks.
(If you have a problem, read a book. The solution is there.)
For Mang Nanie, the Reading Club 2000 is more than a library; it is a living testament to the transformative power of knowledge and the enduring value of generosity. For as long as there are readers eager to learn, the legacy of his humble home will continue to thrive. Mang Nanie’s withstanding belief in literacy and knowledge exchange not only builds communities, but also sows the seeds of hope, curiosity, and resilience among them for generations to come.
For donors, patrons, or simply curious minds, Mang Nanie and his library welcome all at 1454 Balagtas Street, Barangay La Paz, 1204 Makati City.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s January 2025 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSJanuary2025.
