A ‘happy place’

Recently, I had the chance to visit a home library, housed in a prefab, two-story structure, in Antipolo. The library and its surrounding garden and orchard are dedicated to the late senator and former presidential candidate Raul Roco. As his widow Sonia, who herself also dabbled in politics after a run for the Senate, puts it, the library was first conceived as a storage place for the “honorary woman’s” many books and documents. But she and her family have since rethought the concept and now plan to open the collection to the public.

While one would expect a prominent lawyer and lawmaker to collect mainly heavy, scholarly tomes on the law and legal issues, the “Roco Library” is eclectic, with volumes dedicated to history, geography, literature, Philippine cultural legacy, and, on the second floor, paperbacks for the casual reader.

The library, as well the Roco family’s weekend home and garden, devoted to fruit trees, herbs and vegetables, is named “Ang Maogmang Lugar,” or “The Happy Place” in Bicolano. “It was first coined for Naga City by the late mayor (and interior secretary) Jesse Robredo,” Sonia says, “but Raul decided to adopt the name when we moved into this place.”

Indeed, underneath tall trees, some of which are original to the “virgin forest” that existed before Antipolo evolved into a summer retreat during the Spanish era, the two-hectare locale is a happy place, a retreat for those weary of city life and its pressures.

Sonia says that although people can scour the shelves and choose to read whatever volume they get their hands on, they cannot take the books home. Instead, they will be encouraged to “read in the garden,” since she believes that “reading and nature go together.” (Read a longer feature on this “happy place” in next week’s Sunday Inquirer.)

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Just a few words of remembrance for Louie Reyes, publisher extraordinaire, who made his life’s work the birthing of books on the Catholic faith, especially on the Blessed Mother, of whom he was a devotee.

Over the years, Louie oversaw the preparation and publishing of books on Catholic churches and shrines, seasonal celebrations and feasts, papal visits to the Philippines, and even biographies of Church personages including Jaime Cardinal Sin.

I and many other followers also know him as the impish, humorous but trenchant mind behind “My Yosi Vendor” on Facebook, where he commented on social and political issues. You will be missed, Ka Louie.

Shorts: “The Best for Women.” This is supposed to be what being a Soroptimist means, and for 50 years, the Soroptimist International Philippines Region has pursued that goal with a number of projects including advocacy against violence against women, human trafficking and displacement, and encouraging education for girls and training them for leadership.

In particular, the “Live Your Dream” education and training awards assist women by giving them the resources to improve their education, skills and job prospects. The “Dream It Be It” program provides girls in secondary schools with access to professional role models, as well as further training and resources to “live their dreams.”

Soroptimist governor for 2016-2018 Rosario (Cherry) Tumaneng seeks to expand the coverage of the programs through advocacy for access of women and girls to safe water, and for water conservation. Truly, the Soroptimists are proving to be among the “best women” in our midst, and one of the most relevant and socially beneficial organizations.

On Oct. 11, take a step back in time for “The Best of Aliw in Concert” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila. Directed by Freddie Santos, the “Best of Aliw” features the best performers in the country, all of them previous Aliw Awards winners. Among them are winners of the “Entertainer of the Year” honors:  Lea Salonga, Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Rico J. Puno, Dulce, Jed Madela and Gerphil Flores.

Inner Wheel of Manila president Elizabeth Sison Tagle is chairing the event. Proceeds from the ticket sales will go to the Aliw Welfare Fund for ailing and unemployed live entertainers.