Hernando Guanlao, also known as Mang Nanie, 72, poses in front of his communal library at his home in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, Feb 7, 2024. (PHOTO / REUTERS)

MANILA — "A good book is easy to find" reads the sign on Hernando Guanlao's two-storey home located on the outskirts of the Philippines' main financial district which he has turned into a public library where anyone can borrow books for free.

Called the Reading Club 2000, Guanlao's library showcases a wide variety of books he hopes will inspire people, especially young curious minds to read, especially at this time when reading ability among Philippine students remains low.

"The books that one can see here are those used in K-12 (elementary books), novels which students and enthusiasts can make use of," the 72-year-old Guanlao said at his home crammed with thousands of books in stacks.

Children browse books at Hernando Guanlao's communal library in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, Feb 7, 2024. (PHOTO / REUTERS)

READ MORE: Libraries now offer students far more than books

"There are also spiritual books for those who are looking for religious knowledge, hardbound and softbound books, autobiographies, and many different genre's that one can enjoy, all for free," he said.

What started as a 50-book display on the sidewalk fronting his home more than two decades ago, Guanlao's collection has grown exponentially over the years, thanks to a steady supply of books from donors, some of whom opted to stay anonymous.

Children browse the book selection at Hernando Guanlao's communal library in his home in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, Feb 7, 2024. (PHOTO / REUTERS)

"They just leave boxes of books outside my house," said Guanlao, who has also started shipping reading material to public schools in far-flung communities.

Philippine students are facing learning setbacks with math, science and reading scores among the lowest in the world, according to the Program for International Student Assessment.

Hernando Guanlao, also known as Mang Nanie, 72, carries donated books at his communal library in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, Feb 7, 2024. (PHOTO / REUTERS)

Hernando Guanlao, also known as Mang Nanie, 72, poses in front of his communal library at his home in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, Feb 7, 2024. (PHOTO / REUTERS)

READ MORE: New cultural buildings open in capital's sub-city center

"My mission is to give away used and donated books to others at no cost and to promote education through literature," Guanlao said.