The Stacks turns mall time into reading time
One Ayala's The Stacks turns a busy concourse into a shared space for reading, reflection, and community
Published Feb 2, 2026 01:26 pm
According to a 2023 report by the National Library of the Philippines, there are 1,640 libraries across the country. With a population of more than 100 million, that translates to one library for every 60,975 Filipinos. This falls far short of the ideal number mandated by Republic Act 7743. And let us be honest. Most young people can probably name more shopping malls than libraries they have actually visited.
Malls, after all, have become our default public spaces. They are where we wait, meet friends, pass time, and escape the heat. That is why the idea of placing dedicated reading areas inside malls feels both practical and refreshing.
Just recently, One Ayala introduced The Stacks, a pop-up reading space located at Level 2, Concourse. Designed as a welcoming area for people to stay, read, and discover new books, The Stacks brings reading into the middle of Makati’s daily rush. The Stacks is a place where people can sit, read, borrow books, and slow down without needing to spend a single cent.
In an interview with Olivia Dayao, Marketing associate manager of One Ayala, the concept is rooted in community building. “The Stacks was inspired by One Ayala’s vision of continuously engaging its shoppers and strengthening its sense of community,” she said. “As a fast-paced mall where people are always on the move, One Ayala wanted to create a space where visitors could pause and reflect as the new year begins.”
Running until Feb. 6, 2026, The Stacks is a two-level library hall designed for both discovery and downtime. The ground floor functions as a browsing and shopping area, featuring a curated selection of books through partnerships with Fully Booked, Biblio, and selected local book communities. It caters to readers hunting for something new, as well as those finally ready to pick up a title from their ever-growing to-be-read list. This is also a good opportunity to discover Filipino books and authors for The Stacks is also housing local titles that you can buy.
Upstairs, the mood shifts. The second level is dedicated to lingering. Visitors are encouraged to sit back and actually read, whether it is a newly purchased book or a personal favorite brought from home. The space is open to everyone, from office workers stepping away from their screens to daily commuters passing through Makati, nearby residents, and even book clubs looking for a shared place to meet.
Like any library, a few simple guidelines help keep the space enjoyable. Snacks are left outside to protect the books, reading materials are handled with care, and borrowed titles are returned in good condition so the next reader can enjoy them too.
More than a place to read, The Stacks is also a space for sharing. Last Jan. 30, and Feb. 1, visitors were invited to bring pre-loved books and exchange them for new or gently used ones through its book donation and swapping activity. There was no strict limit on how many books they could swap, as long as participants left good finds behind for fellow readers.
The experience extends beyond the shelves. With the help of event partners, The Stacks also hosted book launches, signings, talks, and readings featuring Filipino authors. Some of the authors who participated in the event were Eros Atalia, Adee Calua, and Ken Ricafort. These events turned reading into a social experience, creating opportunities for face-to-face interaction and conversation around stories, ideas, and shared interests.
EXPERIENCE THE STACKS
Cozy vibes, good reads, and books you can swap. The Stacks at One Ayala brings the joy of libraries out of the quiet corners and into everyone’s everyday hangout.
While The Stacks runs only until Feb. 6, Jorelle shared that One Ayala has a full year of activities planned to cater to different interests. For now, there are no announcements about making the space permanent or bringing it to other Ayala Malls, though similar initiatives like Booklat have been done in the past.
For young readers and first-time visitors, Olivia describes The Stacks as a space to unwind and reconnect. At its core, the book-sharing activity encourages people to connect with one another, reflecting One Ayala’s direction for the year.
In a country where libraries are few and often overlooked, The Stacks offers a different approach. It meets people where they already are, transforming a familiar mall setting into an accessible reading space. Even for a limited time, it shows how stories, when placed in the right space, can still find their readers.