Welcome to the first bookstore in Cebu where you can purchase books per kilo!
American children’s author Dr. Seuss once said:
“The more you read, the more things you will know.”
Unfortunately, not a lot of people are into reading books these days. A study from Above and Beyond Therapy states that only 32% of Americans read for pleasure, and 50% of adults have low literacy rates. (2024)
That being said, what difference would a bookstore in Cebu make?
Thanks to events like Big Bad Wolf, books have become valuable tools for both children, students, and working adults. Even the Rizal Memorial Library, the first and only 24/7 public library in the Philippines, provides affordable access to a wide range of books.
To further encourage bookworms and students, there’s a new bookstore in town where you can purchase books by weight instead of their individual retail price.
Bookchigo is the first of its kind here in Cebu, and it’s also the first branch to open in the Visayas region.
For less than Php 1000, you can buy piles of books of different genres. The bookstore also offers individual paperback novels for as low as Php 100.
The bookstore’s name is a portmanteau of the English word “book,” and the Japanese word “chigo,” meaning children.
The owner started this business to make reading materials more affordable and accessible, especially for the youth.
HISTORY
The bookstore was made possible thanks to its successful live selling during the pandemic.
During the pandemic, Bookchigo started as an online business through live selling, where customers could pick and choose from the titles shown during the live streams.
They also offered the books by weight service at the time, but the books were chosen by the owners.
As they gained more and more followers, they finally opened their first physical store at the Subarashii Japan Surplus in Silang, Cavite.
There, customers could finally choose which books to get and pay based on the total weight in kilograms.
The standard price is Php 200 per kilo, but there is a minimum weight requirement of three kilos.
This makes Bookchigo feel like a massive thrift store where you can scour through piles and shelves of books, with hundreds of titles to choose from.
While the bookstore initially focused on selling children’s books, they expanded their library to include adult fiction, classic novels, and even research references. Many of these are secondhand, but in great condition.
An article on Chromalabel states that buying secondhand books helps reduce paper waste, and it is also much cheaper to buy. (2023)
The management of Bookchigo does quality checks on each book to determine whether it is fit for reselling. Some pages may have a few tears, and spines may have a few bump marks. Regardless, most of them are in good condition.
There are several Bookchigo branches in the Philippines, and the Cebu branch recently opened in 2024, quickly becoming a must-visit spot for bookworms and bibliophiles alike.
THE NEWEST BOOKSTORE IN CEBU
A lot of secondhand books are in great condition, you may find your favorite titles here.
Bookchigo is divided into two areas: the retail store and the warehouse.
The warehouse is where customers can avail the books-per-kilo service, while the retail store is where you can buy books individually.
The warehouse is spacious, with hundreds of books stacked on tables. Unfortunately, they are not arranged in a particular order, so looking for a specific title will take time.
Since the minimum weight requirement is three kilos, you can bring home around 10 books for Php 600.
If you fail to reach the minimum weight, you will have to pay for each book according to its retail price, which is around 100 Php per piece.
The retail store, on the other hand, is where you can find individual books for sale, with a price range of around Php 100 to Php 250.
The first floor is filled with mostly children’s books, autobiographies, and young adult novels. New releases are put on display on a table next to the stairs.
There is also a mini cafe with a kiosk of Clara’s Crepes where customers can chill and relax.
Clara’s is a Cebuano dessert shop offering flavored crepes for less than Php 200. You might find other branches of this shop at SM Seaside and Ayala Central Bloc.
On the second floor, you will find a lot of adult paperback novels. Most of them are thrillers written by some of the world’s most popular suspense novelists like Ian Rankin, David Baldacci, and John Le Carré.
There are comfortable seats available if you want to sit down and preview some books. You can also walk around and marvel at the bookstore’s interiors.
The shelves have a unique look that can serve as a great backdrop for photos.
If you’re looking for an online bookstore in Cebu, you can also place orders through Bookchigo’s social media pages. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to discover the titles and genres they have on hand.
WHY BOOKS ARE IMPORTANT
The aforementioned Above and Beyond Therapy article states that the average number of physical books that are read is also pretty low.
In the US, an average of 12 books are read by adults every year. In the UK, the number goes down to 10.
Physical book sales have taken a plunge as the world reads more stories through digital means like audio books and e-books.
Then again, reading physical books has its benefits.
Some people prefer a physical book since it helps them become more invested in whatever they’re reading. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy the vanilla-like smell of the pages?
This bookstore in Cebu offers hundreds of titles to choose from, which you can buy for a fraction of the retail price. With that, you can have months’ worth of reading material for when you’re at home, at a cafe, or someplace relaxing.
Even if you aren’t a frequent reader, you will definitely find a book that will suit your needs.
***
HOW TO GET THERE
Exact Location:
Behind McDonald’s, San Miguel, Cordova
Operating Hours:
Warehouse: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Retail Store: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Bookchigo has a parking space available, but the commute is also quite easy. You can take a V-Hire at SM City Cebu that goes directly to Cordova, then get off at McDonald’s near Gaisano Mall.
V-Hires are now using the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway, so travel time is much shorter than before. As of 2024, the fare costs Php 55.
Moller, Ralph. 2024. “59 Reading Statistics and Facts You Should Know.” Above & Beyond Therapy.
https://www.abtaba.com/blog/59-reading-statistics.
Latham, Andrew. 2023. “The Benefits of Buying Books Secondhand.” Chromalabel.
https://www.chromalabel.com/blogs/sticky-news/the-benefits-of-buying-books-secondhand.
