By Karren Jay G. Asgar
The extended Hakot Book Sale at the Henry Luce III Library drew students, staff, and alumni for ten days of nonstop book bargains.
The Henry Luce III Library concluded its ten-day Hakot Book Sale on Friday, May 30, 2025, after drawing in crowds of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and book enthusiasts since its opening on May 19.
Held at the library lobby from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, the event featured hundreds of secondhand books at discounted prices—ranging from academic texts and novels to magazines and vintage finds. With prices as low as ₱2 to ₱30, participants were quick to go into full “hakot mode.” True to its slogan, “Lower deals, higher stacks! Hakot mode—ACTIVATED!”, the sale encouraged patrons to take home as many books as they could carry.
On May 22, the official Facebook page of the Henry Luce III Library announced the extension of the book sale until May 30, 2025. Originally, the schedule was set on May 19–23. Furthermore, on May 28, the library declared a final markdown: ALL BOOKS ARE NOW 2.00 pesos each, making it the ultimate bargain for readers.
Students expressed appreciation for the opportunity to purchase affordable learning materials. “This is such a great opportunity for students like me,” said Mariebel Santibañez, a second-year Digital Media and Interactive Arts student. “Books can get really expensive, so being able to buy a bunch at low prices is a huge help. Plus, it’s fun to discover titles you wouldn’t usually find.”
The Hakot Book Sale is one of the library’s continuing efforts to promote a reading culture within Central Philippine University.