I can't remember when my fascination for a cup of joe begun, but my love for reading deepened right after I finished reading Sidney Sheldon's Rage of Angels. I don't consider it as an incomparable work of literature, but it is significant for me because it's the first novel that I have read and finished.

Discovering novels actually did make me feel like I have unearthed a valuable treasure. It must be the same feeling somebody has while visiting Italy for the first time. (Ask Elizabeth Gilbert for a confirmation. I haven't been to Italy yet.) Since then, I just kept on looking for new books to read. Aside from novels, history books give me pleasure.

My busy work schedule finds it difficult for me to actually sit down, and do nothing but reading. My solution? I make sure to always have a book wherever I go, which is why I cannot live with clutches. At times when I can't bring my books with me, I go to places with lots of those wonders - a library! Any library would be perfect if you can bring a cup of joe inside it whilst flipping through the pages of your favorite book. Sounds like heaven right? It is and I've been to a heaven here on earth in a place called Philosophia Library Cafe. It was hard to imagine at first that such place exists, but I am not dreaming and it does.

Located approximately an hour away from my humble abode, Philosophia Library Cafe is a playground for literature and history lovers. And why is that? The cafe houses various history books; some of which are rare (and expensive).

Stoked as I was, I found it difficult to choose what books to disturb. I end up reading Lucy Urgello Miller's Glimpses of Cebu and Ahmed Cuizon's The History of LapuLapu City. Both are equally fascinating to read, and to say that I have learned a lot from those two would be an understatement.

If you are curious what those books are about, they are primarily all about the history of two of my beloved cities; Cebu and Lapulapu. I was born and raised in Cebu, but I am currently working in Lapulapu. The tale of the two cities weaved in those books made my heart flutter, and more proud of my cultural identity.

Though austere, the library cafe embodies a certain feeling of warmth that welcomes its customers. The juxtaposition of colors in its interiors and furnishings made me think of Middle Eastern art. 

Wall of wisdom :)

A bounteous shelf of history books awaits anyone who visits the cafe. I have only read one during my first visit and I couldn't wait for my mind to devour the other enlightenment hiding within these treasures.

Who else wants this guitar-shaped bookshelf?

Aside from highly-caffeinated beverages, a variety of bread, cakes and pastries is available in Philosophia. There's nothing grand about them, but they are more than worth their prices. Their cakes are definitely a must-try and most of them costs only a bit higher than a hundred pesos.

Hey me!

Feed both of your mind and your senses at Philosophia. The library cafe is located just before the flyover in the National Highway in Barangay Maguikay. For any sort of questions, feel free to shoot them a message on their Facebook account. Have a lovely weekend and if you ever plan to visit the place this weekend, don't miss the chance to relax and let their books do the wonder!

love lots,

Tin