When I was a kid, I wanted to: be a pilot, so that I could travel to a lot of places.
Now I am: a public librarian, community librarian advocate, and environment volunteer. Environmentalist din ako. I climb mountains. Ang sarap ng experience na ganun, ang stars malapit So, since then, sabi ko gusto ko yung anak ko ma-experience niya paglaki niya. Nakikita ko yung mga ginagawa natin sa environment, may mga mali tayong ginagawa. So, I joined Greenpeace and a local group, Ecoist Coalition. So, ini-increase ko rin ang environmentalism sa libraries. [I’m also an environmentalist. I climb mountains. It’s a great experience that the stars are so close. So, since then, I told myself that I want that my child can experience that when she grows up. I joined Greenpeace and a local group, Ecoist coalition. So, I also increase environmentalism in libraries.]
The most challenging thing about being a librarian is: that you have a lot of things to contribute and the opportunity to involve more people in the “library movement.”
The most surprising thing about being a librarian is: that you are always in demand. Marami kang friends kasi gusto nilang gumawa ng research, ikaw. Pero di ko naman pinopromote yung ganun. Pero yun nga kadalasan lumalapit sa yo na ganun because you’re supposed to be in the know. [You have a lot of friends because they want you to do their research. But I don’t promote that. But oftentimes, people approach you like that because you’re supposed to be in the know.]
My fondest childhood reading memory is: The 3 Little Pigs. It’s a simple book that was given to me when I was hospitalized when I was 7 year old, and the book was my companion sa [at the] hospital.
I am currently reading: Humming in My Universe by Jim Paredes of Apo Hiking Society [a well-known, well-established Filipino singing group].
If I could only bring one book to a deserted island, it would be: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. Napaka-inspiring kasi ng verses dun, di ba? Hindi masyadong mabigat so parang naiinspire ka talaga. [The verses are very inspiring, right? Not too heavy so you’re really inspired.]
My greatest wish is: that the Philippines will have as many libraries as there are malls all over the country. Kita mo naman maraming mall dito. [You see there are a lot of malls here.] And people frequenting the libraries as much as they do malls.
I love being a librarian because: I can do a lot of things and learn new exciting things in the process.
I am a “librarian for others” librarian.