Floating bookstore docks at South Harbor

Set to retire in two years, the world’s largest “floating book fair” is now on its final visit to its “homeport in Asia.”

The M/V Doulos docked at the South Harbor in Manila yesterday afternoon for its sixth and last visit to the Philippines. Having been to more than a hundred countries during the last three decades, the ship is registered in Malta.

“A lot of people ask me where our homeport is. We don’t have a homeport but if we had a homeport in Asia, it would be here in Manila,” said Capt. Ashley McDonald during a program held in welcoming the ship.

“The bookship is very appreciated here. It (Manila) is such a big city and yet we to get to connect (with each of the people),” he added. “In four weeks’ time when we leave, we’ll leave another ship behind, which is our friendship with the people of Manila.”

The 93-year-old ship carries more than 500,000 books from 6,000 titles on display with subjects on science, medicine, literature, management, law, accounting, geography and even hobbies.

Originally built as a freighter in 1914, the M/V Doulos was renamed Roma in 1948 and transported immigrants to Australia. It was later transformed into a cruise ship in 1952.

But due to its old age, the ship will have to retire in 2010, leaving a seemingly uncertain future for its 350 volunteers from over 50 countries worldwide.

Filipina volunteer Joy de Pano said the ship’s operator, the German non-profit organization Gute Bucher fur Alle, still has not decided what to do after the retirement of the ship.

“If it’s God’s will, we might have another ship,” she said, expressing high hopes.

Pano, at 34, the longest-serving among the ship’s crew members, is just among the nine Filipinos onboard the ship. She has been volunteering for the ship for eight years and is now the coordinator of the ship’s teams that conduct outreach programs in countries they visit.

Prior to joining the M/V Doulos, Pano said she had long been involved in volunteer works.

“I’ve always had a passion for the world. When I heard about the ship, (I told myself) this is God’s will for me. I’ve always been willing to serve the people,” Pano said in an interview.

She said that apart from selling books at lower prices, the ship’s volunteers also engage in volunteer work at orphanages, prisons and even public high schools.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has welcomed the arrival of the M/V Doulos as it would provide a chance to the public to get books at lower prices.

The ship will be in Manila until Dec. 27. The floating bookstore is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday, except on Sundays and Mondays, when it is open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.