A Visit to the MV Logos Hope

Last February 21 was a holiday (San Pedro day) so our school decided to visit the MV Logos Hope, the largest floating book fair in the world. It has over 5,000 different titles and 400,000 books onboard. The ship has five areas: Welcome, the Book Fair, Journey of Life, the Theatre, and the International Cafe.


On the Welcome area, we were greeted by Ina (if that's how you spell it), one of the friendly crew of the Logos Hope. We were made to watch a 2-minute video presentation, which gives visitors an overview of the whole ship. After that, we get to see the crew cabin and an illustrated history of GBA Ships.

Then we proceeded to the much-awaited area: the Book Fair!!! It contains a wide range of books shelved in different genres. Also, all books are priced in what they call "units". Shelves have conversion charts so you can know the price of the books in your country's own currency. Good thing 100 units is equal to 100 pesos, so I didn't have to look at conversion charts every minute! The books are cheap compared to the price of local bookstores. The lowest price is 25 units, while the highest is 1,000 units. I bought a copy of Nancy Drew mystery: The Secret of the Old Clock for 250 units (250 pesos).

The Book Fair

More books

The Book fair has an area where you can get a good deal of textbooks, because the BAG is what you're going to buy, then you can get free textbooks, anything you want. The blue bag costs P500 pesos with free 3 textbooks, while the white one costs P250, and you get one free textbook.


Next to the book fair is the Journey of Life, where you will listen to the story of the prodigal son in his journey through life, while looking at the pictures on walls as you walk through the area. The story teaches an important moral lesson about life.

If you're hungry after an hour of browsing books, there is the Interenational Cafe selling different delicious snacks! The Cafe sells popcorn, ice cream cone, coffee, tea, chips, and many more. The only thing is, they are a bit expensive.

Photo courtesy of Synz Memoir

Before leaving, we get to take home free books (YAY!). The visit was really memorable, and I had fun!  I'm hoping to visit the ship again. Maybe next year.

For those who want to go to the book fair, the MV Logos Hope is still in Manila until March 13. Children ages 12 and below doesn't require any entry pass, but for adults 13 and up the entrance fee costs P20.

Empower Me

I. Nobody knows how weak I am, better than you;


Nobody sees all of my needs, better than you. 


And nobody has the power to change me 


From what I was born to be 


Jesus be strong in my weakness, empower me.




Chorus:


Empower me like a rushing river flowing through the sea 


Lord send your Holy Spirit flowing now through me 


Till I'm living as your child victorious and free 


Send the power of your love empower me.




II. Nobody's eyes see through my soul better than yours; 


Nobody sees all of my needs better than yours.


And nobody has the power to lift me 


To reach through eternity


Jesus break through all my defences empower me.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Diary of a Young Girl contains the diary entries of Anne Frank while hiding during the World war II.

Anne Frank's family lives in Germany and were forced to move to Amsterdam for safety. They hid with the Van Daans and Mr. Dussel in the "Secret Annexe", a top of an office building where Otto Frank's (Anne's father) workers work.

To pass time, Anne reads different books and writes in her diary (named Kitty). She records various happenings in the Secret Annexe, from quarrels with the Van Daans to her times with Peter in the attic.

They hid for more than two years (1942-1944) until their hiding place was discovered and they were arrested. They were transported to different concentration camps until each had to face death. Otto Frank, the only survivor, went back to Amsterdam after the war, found Anne's diary and decided to publish it.

I enjoyed reading the book because I can relate to Anne Frank as a young person who is often misunderstood by everyone. I also admire Anne's courage and firmness of character, and learned many things from her. Anne Frank is a truly remarkable person from whom even older people can learn.



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Insomnia by Kristine Ong Muslim


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Insomnia is a collection of poems written in blank verse form. I like the way how the author, Kristine Ong Muslim, uses a unique writing style that slowly paints a picture in the reader's mind. I personally liked the poems "G is for Gillian", "Twenty years of searching for little teddy", "No Possibility of Waking Up", and "The Missing Girl". After reading this book, I became more interested in poetry. I can say that this is a book of poems worth reading.

My special thanks to the author for giving me a copy of her book.




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