A Gem of Filipiniana on Padre Faura

When I was still living in the Philippines, it was my practice that whenever I walked into a bookstore in Manila, the first section I would visit was the store's Filipiniana section. It was there where I would go through the latest titles by both local and foreign authors to see if there were new book releases on topics of interest to me, specifically Philippine political and economic history and architecture.

My love affair with the "Filipiniana Section" dates back to my college days in Manila. The section was situated in one of the quietest areas within my college's library. It was in an area I often went to between classes to either take a much needed afternoon nap or to intensely study or prepare for an examination. It took me a while to realize that a few steps away from my favorite nap/study spot were shelves that had copies of respected and historic Philippine publications such as the Philippines Free Press, Weekly Graphic, and the Manila Times. The Philippines Free Press was an influential weekly news magazine that ran from 1907 until the declaration of Martial Law closed it down in September 1972.

From the moment I browsed through an old issue of the Philippines Free Press, I was hooked, to say the least, and I remember spending countless hours going through its past issues and those of other newspapers and magazines. I was quite fascinated by the fact that the school's collection of magazines and newspaper issues went as far back as the 1910s. Reading old news articles could be described as reading Philippine History in "current events" form.

Thus, my old geeky self was so glad when my dear SO finally took me to the Solidaridad Book Shop in Manila's Ermita district. This bookstore is owned by the renowned Filipino author and National Artist Francisco Sionil Jose. ("My Brother, My Executioner", "The Pretenders", "Ermita") Although I've heard of this place, I never had the chance to visit it until I was in Manila last May.

The first two pictures below show the front of the bookstore taken from across the street. (Store's exact address is 531 Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila.)



Solidaridad Book Shop opened its doors to the public back in 1965. As can be seen from above, the book shop occupies the ground floor of a two-storey building with a mezzanine. The building is a concrete and wooden structure and was of an architectural style that was common in Manila from the 1950s through the late 1960s.

The following two shots were taken by the bookstore's front door.



Due to Robinson Place's rather imposing presence across the street, one could easily walk past this bookstore without noticing it. But once found, stepping into the bookstore is like going back in time. This little shop possesses an old-fashioned charm with its simplicity and it reminded me of places in the Ermita and Malate districts I used to visit as a kid. An old family friend, now long gone, used to run a small barbershop a couple of blocks away near the Plaza Nuestra Senora de Guia while another family friend ran his family's construction firm from one of the old buildings that line T.M. Kalaw Street.

The bookstore's interior was basically divided into two sections. As one walks in, one will find the Filipiniana section to one's left while books by foreign authors and foreign periodicals can be found to one's right.

I found the staff to be very friendly and helpful. I heard that customers can even request Mr. Jose to sign a book if he was around. Unfortunately, we were not able to have any book signed because the author was in Japan on business at the time my SO and I went. Well, better luck next time.

Now if there was something that I did not like about this place, it was the fact that the store does not accept credit cards. All book purchases have to be paid for in cash. But given everything that this place has to offer, its refusal to accept credit cards is one inconvenience I can certainly live with.

We ended up buying two books that day. But I liked both the place and the selection of books so much that the SO and I came back the following day to buy two more. I must say then that of all the places I visited in Manila that week, this was clearly my favorite.

So to the Filipiniana buffs among you, whenever you find yourselves in the area, please take some time to stop by this little gem on Padre Faura. I don't think you'll come away disappointed.

Photo credits: The Quint