Lipa Write-ups

The Library Comedy and Sing-Along Bar
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 its nineteen 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 great number of people.

Like a tapestry, THE LIBRARY weaves a number of factors into a blend that is distinctly different. Its mahogany panels, overflowing bookshelves and antique decor are contrasted with modern furnishings producing a cozy 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 40's. And the crowd transcends labels. Here, you will find students mingling 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 by its proprietor Andrew de Real or “Mamu” as he is fondly called by his talents, showbiz colleagues and friends, 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. Its former hosts have acquired names for themselves -- Ai-Ai delas Alas, Arnel Ignacio, Leonard Obal, May Bayot, Bobby Solis, Allan K., Phillip Lazaro, Rey Kilay, Teri Onor and a number of other performers who have conquered bigger venues and followings.

Private. Unique. Different.
That's how the Library has been known all these years. A cozy place you can consider as your second home. Where stars and celebrities relax. Where politicians unwind. Where wannabes stop over. Where families enjoy. And balikbayans laugh.

To date, THE LIBRARY has been producing not just talents that can warble a song or two or host a show 'til the wee hours of the morning. THE LIBRARY boasts of packaged shows that a possible outside producer can get and show in other bigger venues.

There's a lot to choose from. "Trilogy", "Divastating Divas", "Fatluck", "Quatro Qantos", "D' Confused", "Phillippology", "Stepsisters" and the much raved about "Raging Divas".

THE LIBRARY has been known to be the 'noisiest' Library in that side of Malate, Manila and more recently at the Wedge in San Francisco, USA where ICHIBAN LIBRARY is located.

THE LIBRARY now in Lipa City
Lightning indeed strikes twice especially here in our beloved archipelago because finally THE LIBRARY is now in the CITY of LIPA.   A franchise aimed to re-create the tradition that made THE LIBRARY such a big hit in Malate, Manila.  Where people of LIPA CITY and its nearby provinces could expect powerful musical performances and comical repertoires every night from hosts imported directly from the THE LIBRARY MANILA that would definitely make the audience sing and laugh respectively until the wee hours of the morning.  A place where people can roll-up their sleeves and just become themselves, much more like their second home.

Who says that the Library is just for books? There are so many books there alright, in volumes and tons. But wouldn't it be fine if apart from reading the books, there's so much live entertainment that people can enjoy, too?

If TV host Boy Abunda would say, "Adriatico will never be the same without the Library.", now we would also say, “The CITY of LIPA would never be the same with THE LIBRARY.”

PRIVATE. UNIQUE. DIFFERENT.