The glory that was Cebu the grandeur that was Bohol!

"Where do I begin? To tell a story of how great a love can be... Where do I start?" 

These are some of the famous lines from Andy William's song Love Story. And yes, where do I begin... to tell a story of how great my experiences... when we were in Cebu and Bohol. 

Five nights, four days, we ventured our first benchmarking in University of Cebu. We proceed to their library on the third floor and was greeted by their librarians. 

My eyes was immediately caught up by their walls of topnotchers, on every floor.  But the most fascinating part was, our sneak peak on their technical service room. I was amazed how they do their book binding, using their ever time tested binding equipment of which I’m pretty much sure, many skillful hands gone through with and making rich memories out of it  The students assigned was not available at the moment  but I have seen samples of their work. 

With Nwe Nila at the Temple of Leah
looking over  the vastness of Cebu.  

Cebu Normal University had given us a taste of the past. Their archival museum was really a trip down on memory lane. I’ve seen two Cebuana guerillas who had disguises themselves to be spies on Japanese Imperial Army. Genuinely Sugbo’s bravery. I also applaud their unique library services like posting a hall of famers for those students who had borrowed the most number of books and friendly reminder for patrons who had overlooked their due books.  This is a good motivational and promotional strategy.

Cebu Doctor’s University Library gives you a taste of a library that seems you are in a mall. What I commend about librarians here are their tedious work of validating the bibliographic references written on each theses and dissertations. Wow!  

"The best adornment in the library
 was a worn-out book."

Rizal Library located along the busy streets of Cebu City was jam-packed with patrons mostly young ones. This was the first 24 hours library in the country. With the overwhelming demands of their patrons, the second floor will soon be utilized for expansion.

University of  San Jose Recolletos making both ends meet. Challenged with library space though, they build mezzanines to house their very rich collections. Regular weeding is done yearly. Unlike most of the libraries, their technical area is not inside the main library. Theirs was an adjacent room outside.

The highlight of all the libraries we visited was in University San Carlos Talamban Campus, Josef Baumgartner Learning Resource Center. I have seen and experience the third place kind of library. A kind of patron –friendly and green library all in one, situated on top of the hill was managed by Ma’am Maxie Doreen Leva Cabarron as the library director.

Hmmm...the smell of  "weeded but not discarded books. "

What I love in this library is how their branding is. Like for instance instead of Internet Area they branded it with Knowledge Navigation Area, a more scholarly label suited for millennial learners. Instead of sleeping in the library she termed it as power nap. Gone are the days that sleeping is a taboo inside the library as she shares unto us. She even defended a student checked by a security guard because he is lying on the sofa. They provided discussions rooms as well as Collaborative Learning Hub. I can’t help myself but smile more heading towards the basement to see those weeded  but not discarded books.

When in Cebu, be sure to visit Magellan’s Cross and Colon Street , the oldest street in the Philippines. It’s like tracing my roots as a Filipino. Cebu City will always be part of my identity as a Filipino.

Then Bohol, ahh Bohol! I love your nature Bohol! I was able to observe the simplicity of life of Boholanos, very cordial very warm.  

Chocolate Hills up close and personal!

Chocolate Hills and tarsiers, I often see you on colorful postcards and Sibika Books. Finally, up close and personal. You blow me away! Then savoring Boholano's finest cuisine in Loboc Floating Restaurant while listening on classiscs. Ah! Heaven  on earth is real! As the temperature rises, my reflection increases. My folks had their endless laugh and cheers, but I choose to be quiet. Little did they know I'm smiling from within. Smiling for the new learnings, smiling for Cebu and Bohol and smiling for the safe travel.    

Edgard Allan Poe had written “The glory that was Greece, the grandeur that was Rome.” from his poem To Helen. I’ve never been to Greece, nor have seen Rome, yet I’m praying for it.

UCCP Tagbilaran, definitely check
on my bucket list!

But then allow me to borrow his line and put it this way, “The glory that was Cebu the grandeur that was Bohol!

Thank you God for guiding us through!

Thank you CPU for the experience!