If my life were a BOOK, it would be like National BOOK Store. Since I learned how to write and read, I always had the passion for books and for book stores. And reading was and still is my true passion in life as well as writing. I believe these two work hand in hand most of the time. And I would usually read almost anything from the daily newspaper, tabloids to magazines and catalogues, and most especially philosophical books.
It all started when one day my dad chided me that a younger cousin of mine could already read the leading newspaper in the late 1980s, the Malaya. The rest as they say is history. Realizing that a younger cousin can read a newspaper at the young age of 4, I set out to become the best reader in the family.
At age 6, I already finished reading the encyclopedia collections in both my paternal and maternal grandparents’ houses – Popular Science, Encyclopedia Britannica and the Classics. At that young age, my competitive drive propelled me to read and excel at almost anything, a passion for perfecting the things I could do.
So even though I didn’t completely understood what I was reading at that time especially the Classic Greek Mythologies, I kept on reading and to a certain extent writing as well. By the time I entered high school, I think I have read over 500 books. My favorite books dealt on Philippine History, Biology and Science and Technology and of course works of fiction. I always believed I was one of the few who understood the theory of evolution among my many classmates and schoolmates.
I began to question my faith at a very young age which I believe is very good because it allowed me to explore and deepen my understanding of the world and this started my journey towards enlightenment and self-discovery. I became a book worm even at the expense of being called a “nerd” or a “geek” by my classmates.
After finishing high school in Cotabato City, I moved for my college education in Davao City around 1998. It just so happens that by late 1999, a new mall opened in Davao City with a National Book Store branch in it. It may sound corny now but at that time I felt some excitement over being able to finally see a National Book Store branch.
As you can see there are no book stores in Cotabato City, so a lot my books came as gifts or when my parents or relatives came from Manila.
I cannot say that I grew up with National Book Store but more importantly I believe my growth is as much the same as the leading book store chain in the country. In one month in 1999, when the National Book Store branch in Davao City offered great discounts with many hard-bound books just going for P5o and below, I probably bought more than 150 books over a one month period.
And I am happy to own over 500 books today and there are more if you count the encyclopedia volumes I inherited back in Cotabato City from my grandparents. My favorite books today are 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can do to help Our Country by Alexander Lacson, Only the REAL MATTERS by Francis Kong, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. I also like Man, The Unknown by Alexis Carrel and The Art of War by Sun Tzu.
My life has been and will always be a collection of my understanding based on readings and past experiences. For me, books play a vital role because they provide me with tools and knowledge that can help me in charting my future.
In one way or another, National Book Store by bringing so many books and other supplies everywhere in the country has helped me to better explore the world and enrich my life experiences. The same goes for everyone else who patronize this book store chain.
One of my favorite books, The Alchemist, shows that each human being has the potential to be great and over the last twenty-six years of my existence, I believe I have always worked to be the best that I can be. I had been an honor student in elementary, class valedictorian in high school and a consistent dean’s lister and student leader in college.
While in college, I helped found the local chapter of an international student organization that promotes entrepreneurship. And through my work, I have helped many people determine their true potential in life and that they can achieve it.
Much like the lay-out of any National Book Store branch, my life can also be segmented into different topics or subjects. During my early childhood and elementary years, I was much more interested in reading up children’s books, biology, and science and technology books. In fact, during my elementary years, I was very much interested to pursue a career in geology or natural history but was told there is not much future in it. I now read there are less than 50 geodetic engineers in the country.
In high school, I graduated to novels, self-help books, and books that deal with the mysteries of the world, about psychology and spiritual enlightenment. Some of these books are The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, The Celestine Prophecy and The Tenth Insight by James Reed.
In my later adolescent years, I enjoyed science fiction books and books that deal on Philippine and world affairs, and also biographies of famous personalities. I began to see myself as part of a world that is full of possibilities.
In college, having taken up Management Accounting, I began to enjoy “serious” books that deal in business, management and philosophy.
With the exception of Harry Potter which came out during my college years, I read a lot of business books starting with Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad and Rich Kid Smart Kid, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, Robert Greene’s The 50 Rules of Power and a host of other management books.
My life has been like a transition from one book subject to another. From natural history and science to novels and famous fictions to business and management books. I believe I am now more on philosophy and God.
I remember the times when my mom or dad would already scold me for staying up too late just to finish reading a book or not eating or not going out of the house anymore. I can remember few instances were during blackouts, I would even read in candle light. I remember a time when I would pick up reading a book over going to parties or watching the television. I treasured my books because they brought me places that I cannot physically go to.
It has truly been one great roller-coaster ride for me. Because unbeknownst to most people in spite of my true love for books, I have a very active social and physical life. I love to surf in La Union, go to beaches in Subic, and race in go-kart tracks. I love to go parasailing, mountain climbing, jet-skiing and other water sports. I love nature and I love people. I love helping people achieve the success they want in life. And more so than my experiences, my books have helped me short-cut the process of learning new things and so I learned a lot of things at an early age.
I remember finishing the over 600 pages Harry Potter and The Order of Phoenix book in less than 14 hours. Books help me understand the world I live in, the world we all live in. And it saddens me that half of our population cannot even read or write correctly.
It is my fervent hope that The Philippine Star, National Book Store and other like-minded organizations would lead the way to advance the cause for true education excellence in the country. That is my hope and I know I will write a book about this collaboration in the near future.
Thank you and God Bless Us All Always! To end, I would like to borrow a passage in my soon to be published book (The Gift), “You are God’s gift to You. You are God’s gift to Your Family. You are God’s gift to Your Friends. You are God’s gift to the World.” Happy Reading Everyone!
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