Encyclopedia Mystique

Part 1

"Amelia Agustin! Can you help me here?" The division's chief of the Information Technology department shouts so I have to run fast.

I live in Ermita, Manila near the National Library of the Philippines. I have the opportunity to work there because I passed the civil service exam. One of my tasks is to convert print, audio and video materials into digital copies. I also help in the indexing and audio recording.

"Yes, Sir!" I almost tripped but my table saved me.

"Be careful, Lia!" Mr. Anton Villar reminds me when he sees my embarrassing slip.

I submitted some of the books I converted and it feels so good that I finished those on time. "What can I do for you, Sir?"

"Here is another set of work. Can you do it this afternoon?"

"Si Sir, Pinagtritripan ako."

"Seryoso ako."

"As in all of this?" He just nods and that fact convinces me he is damn serious.

I have to do that anyway. It is my job. So, I don't have time to roam the library upstairs to find good reads. How sad . . .

I started roaming the library the first time I finished all my tasks on time and I am in awe of the number of books there. Instead of going to the mall, I saw myself hanging out at the library whenever there is free time or when I am off duty. Since our home is just a few steps away from the National Library, I began to love reading. It has shown me the endless possibilities of traveling while you are just sitting. I get to explore worlds that nobody can ever imagine.

My love for books began when I was just a young child. My parents used to read a lot of Bible stories and Fairytales to my six-year-old self. That time, I really wanted to be surrounded by books. I remember every time I was asked what I would love to have during holiday breaks; a book would be first on my wish list.

As much as I wanted to write about what I know, I tend to translate my reading through art. Yes, I am a digital artist by night. With every stroke I do with my orange mouse, I produce something. Most of my masterpieces are on the orange-red palette. Orange is my favorite hue. For some people, it symbolizes jealousy but for me it means one thing, fruit! I love citrus fruits, especially oranges.

In this digital age, people always rely on the internet for information. I love books that have reading devices for it. I purchase eBooks from the net too. How can I read frequently? I find time for reading. Two hours of reading if I have to work on some freelance projects and reading all night if I don't have any masterpieces to do . . . that is what you call time management.

Every night, I am fond of watching late news and expect to see my crush, Jay Diaz. When he smiles, it takes my breath away. I hope I can meet him in the future. I am sure that I will hug him. He completes my day by just being on TV. He has a documentary show that focuses on different places to go to.

Meet my family. My dad used to be a librarian in Incheon, South Korea. He retired two years ago. He was a former librarian in the National Library here until I was in elementary. He got the opportunity to go to Incheon for work. Every time I got to talk to him while he was on vacation, he would always describe how beautiful Incheon is.

When I was little, I wanted to go to South Korea not because of the Koreanovelas everyone seemed to be crazy about these days, but because of all the books my father talked to me about. This goal intensified when the KPOP fever became popular. I am not a KPOP fanatic but geez I want to see their country.

Currently, Mom manages our family business. When Dad came home from Korea, the idea of a Filipino-Korean restaurant had occurred to him. Dad met a chef in Korea and they became friends. They agreed to put up a partnership to celebrate their friendship.