When the ‘Ship of Hope’ returns to Cebu

CEBU, Philippines – The last time I saw “hope” on Cebu’s shores was in January 2007.

The skies were bluer and I remember waiting in a line with my grandparents to get on the MV Doulos. At the time, I wasn’t sure yet what we were waiting for at the Cebu pier but when we reached the end of that queue, I was like lightning.

I rushed to the stands that carried toys and took my time choosing the perfect trinket to bring home. I directed my attention towards the rows of books organized on shelves and then bolted to the deck to look at the glistening surface of the sea.

It was my first time at a floating book fair. It felt like what I imagine “Disneyland” would be like (I’ve never been). And I believe that feeling is what book fairs intend to evoke — a yearning and wonder for the beyond.

This ship brought more than 1.5 million books to children all around the globe. These books had stories of dragons and knights, and martial artists and cowboys. Books, which from the small probinsyano boy’s eyes, were unfamiliar territories and a reminder of the vastness of the world. 

While the Doulos, the world’s largest floating bookshop, ended its tour in late 2009 before being handed over to her new owners in 2010, its sister ship, the MV Doulos Hope or the “Servant of Hope” still continues the “good work.” 

On October 15, Hope returned to Cebu’s shores.

Like yesterday

Many of Cebu’s bookworms rejoiced upon seeing the return of the beloved floating book fair. One of them who I met on the ship was Yadin Villar.

The 62-year-old bibliophile recalled the first time she stepped into the Doulos. She described it as an adventure of a lifetime.

“It was a new feeling. When you get on a ship, you’d be there just for the travel but here, it’s [wonderful]. There are educational books and even if I wasn’t a student anymore, I could still learn things,” Villar said in a mix of English and Cebuano.

According to her, the first thing that caught her eye were the dictionaries. Villar liked the thought of learning the meaning of new words and discovering slang terms used in different countries.

“I think children should also get the opportunity to read dictionaries to help them learn diction, pronunciation, the basics to help them read more,” Villar added, pointing out the worrying state of education in the country.

For Project Coordinator Julieana Kehler, the MV Doulos Hope was more than just a floating bookshop.

“The [ship’s] vision is to share knowledge, help, and hope wherever we go,” Kehler said in an interview.

The project coordinator explained that the ship carries a wide selection of affordable books to countries with poor access to literature. She added that there were also missionaries on board that engaged in community work with local organizations and ministries.

Kehler encouraged first timers on the ship to ask anyone from their international crew about their stories. She said that every person volunteering and perusing the books had their own unique story to tell and that every story was worth sharing.

At present, the MV Doulos Hope has around 120,000 books, about 2,000 different titles, and each day, the ship can accommodate at least 300 persons an hour. 

It’s a smaller collection in comparison to the previous one in 2007 but the experience of the floating book fair still evokes the same feeling of wonder and yearning.

If you’re interested in seeking out the same feeling, do note that the ship is open from Tuesdays to Sundays (1 pm to 8:30 pm) and will be in Cebu until November 10. The entrance fee for adults is P50 but children under 12 and senior citizens can get in for free.

When looking for Hope, just know she’s waiting for you at Pier 5 of the Port of Cebu. – Rappler.com