Salivating over books

On my calendar is the “Big Bad Wolf” Book Sale taking place from Feb. 16-25 at the World Trade Center in the CCP Complex. Already, I’m planning a late night or early morning sortie to avoid the expected crowds because the sale is open to the public and better yet, anyone can saunter in off the street whatever time of day as the sale goes on for 24 hours, everyday. Entrance is free!

It all sounds too good to be true, as I and the other book-loving Bulong Pulungan sa Sofitel regulars doubtless felt. But Miguel Mercado, marketing head of Big Bad Wolf Philippines, had a few choice slides to show of other Big Bad Wolf events in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and nearby cities. There were literally kilometers of book shelves surrounded by a mob of book lovers (if book lovers could ever behave like a mob), along with cosplayers on the sidelines, children getting lost in the playground attractions, and queues of customers dragging along wheeled suitcases, the better to carry out their purchases.

The reason customers anticipate heavy loads is that the books — in English and sourced from publishers and wholesalers around the world — will be selling for tremendous discounts, from 60-80 percent what they’re going for in the bigger bookstores. And better yet, says Mercado, is that their merchandise will be brand-new, being overruns or excess inventory of publishing houses.

As I write this, I am practically salivating at the choices offered by Big Bad Wolf.

Mercado brought in samples he had bought from a recent BBW event and aside from the popular fiction franchises, think the Kevin Kwan “Crazy Rich Asians” series, romances, and biographies, and young adult selections, there were also drool-worthy children’s titles, including pop-up books and boxed sets of Winnie the Pooh, Peppa Pig and the entire Harry Potter oeuvre.

Asked where the name “Big Bad Wolf” came from, Mercado said the fair is the brainchild of BookXcess founders Andrew Yap and Jacqueline Ng based in Malaysia who promise to “huff and puff” until they’re able to turn our countries into
nations of readers.

Mercado says the owners’ core belief is that “everybody regardless of status has the right to learn,” but that right can be exercised only if the necessary resources are available. And certainly, accessible and affordable books—that are fun to read as well—are a vital part of that learning.

To make the coming BBW book fair even more relevant is that part of the proceeds will go to Gawad Kalinga housing projects in Marawi and Bicol, both of which have been hit by manmade and natural disasters.

So mark your calendars and bring the entire family. One is never too young or too old to love books!

* * *

I checked my phone yesterday morning and was “greeted” by news that Kamuning Bakery Café had nearly burned down. Columnist and real-estate entrepreneur Wilson Lee Flores is abroad but posted that the establishment had been spared in the fire that gutted the nearby eatery.

Then just a few hours later came news that Kamuning Bakery Café, which Flores had “rescued” from decline just a few years ago, had itself caught fire and burned down. Apparently, from what I gather from various FB feeds, some embers must have flown into the bakery’s attic/storage room and then slowly grew into a fire. Luckily, writes Flores, no one was hurt and his entire staff escaped unscathed.

I’d long been cheering on Wilson and his tireless flogging of his enterprise on social media. Over the years, the little
bakery had built up a following for its signature pan de suelo and other offerings.

In his latest post, Wilson said he’s currently exploring ways to help his staff over the next few months while they try to rebuild and let “Kamuning rise again.” I feel for Wilson, who exudes optimism whenever we encounter each other. With all the goodwill he has generated, I’m sure he’ll find a way to bring back the bakery to its old glory.