At The LIbrary, one of the Manila's best comedy bars, Larissa Ariella Barzaga laughs her heart out.

BORED WITH SCHOOL? Then go to The Library Located in 1779-A M. Adriatico St. Malate, Manila, The Library is the country's first and original sing-along and comedy bar, and is said to be the place that "started all" -spawning the other stand up comedy places that liven up the city's night scene.

Andrew de Real, The Library's owner, wanted to combine the two well-loved Filipino pastimes of singing and cracking jokes. And thus, in 1986, the sing-along and comedy bar genre was born. At the same time. De Real fulfilled his long life dream of building a library that need not be quiet at all.

At first, The Library was only open during weekends; but as the word, and the laughter, got out, people started packing the place, the fillinf its quaint, book-filled interior with much glee and merriment.

Comedians, dressed in colorful, shiny, shimmering garbs, sing, dance and poke fun throughout the noght, Customers are invited to sing on stage, abg the more off key, the better, soliciting more cheers from the audience. The Library has one of the largest catalogue of songs, and being frequented by tourists, it even carries a selection of popular Japanese and Chinese hits.

The Library, also known as the "University of Comedy", is where a lot of the country's well-known comedians, such as Ai-Ai delas Alas, Allan K., Philip Lazaro and Arnel Ignacio, recieved their "education". Comedy, it seems, is no laughing matter. "It is an art," exclaims "alumnus" Philip Lazaro. "It's not about just saying formulaic jokes or making a fool of yourself.

You have to be exposed to different cultures, learn their sensibilities and what they find funny, and know when and how to make fun of those sensibilities without being derogatory. Being upper, middle and lower class people, The Library is good place to be exposed".

Indeed. The Library's stock of comedians has grown from the initial five to around seventy, and many of its alumni have found their wayinto the local show business and to international comedy bars.

With the success of The Library and its "students", Andrew de Real couldn't be more happy. But de Real continues to dream, this time he wants to introduce a Las Vegas type of show for the Filipino audience. "Quite ambitious, "he says. "But nevertheless, it sounds promising", Till then, go to The Library, school's in session. Get ready for a great time.