In the Makati district of Manila in the Philippines, there’s a large sign outside the front of an otherwise unassuming house stating “free reading to the public”. Over the last fifteen years, Ernando ‘Nanie’ Guanlao has transformed his home into a library, open to anyone and everyone.
Starting with only 100 books, the 63 year-old former accountant has spent the last years collecting books for the library. He now piles up more than 1,000 books every year.
“My home, my library. It’s free, for everybody. You’re welcome to drop in, to talk to me, to see me, enjoy my place”, Nanie says, “books are my mission, they are here simply to make people happy.”
