At Spruce Gallery in Ortigas, print is alive and kicking

Bonnapart Galeng and Ric Gindap have always dreamt of opening an indie book store. “Every time we go out of the country, the first order of business is to visit small, independent book shops,” shares Galeng. Inspired by their favorite shops (Do You Read Me?! in Berlin and Kubrick in Hong Kong) and spurred by the limited choices in local book chains, the two set out to open Spruce Gallery, a space that carries a generous inventory of “independent magazines, art, zines, prints, and art books.”

Each title that you see on Spruce’s shelves is handpicked by co-founders Galeng and Gindap, who both have backgrounds in design. Gindap is the CEO/creative director and chief strategist of the branding agency Design For Tomorrow, while Galeng is one of the agency’s founding members. The two have been working together since 2007, even creating a corporate lifestyle and design magazine called Monday in the mid 2010s.

At Spruce, magazines are the stars of the show. International indie favorites like Apartamento, POP, Lunch Lady, and Popeye share shelf space with design bibles like Design Anthology and Wallpaper, and more mainstream titles like Monocle, The Gentlewoman, and international editions of Vogue. All of these lie just a few steps away from queer zines like Butt and Boys! Boys Boys!, as well as independent zines from the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia, some made available in the country for the first time.

A first glance at the shop’s interiors (magazines everywhere!) is guaranteed to make print lovers emotional. “Our biggest goal is to build a community," says Galeng. "We really believe we’ve opened a space that will inspire creativity and attract like-minded individuals to embrace their own creative potential.”

Galeng says that their prices are competitive, and that they’ve made them close to the original retail price. They’ll also be updating their inventory regularly, which hopefully means that days of lugging heavy magazines in our carry-on luggages from trips abroad are in the past. “By carefully curating our selections, we aim to create a space where print lovers can discover new and exciting voices, while also fostering a sense of community and appreciation for the print-making art form,” he adds.

Below, Galeng shares how they came up with the idea for Spruce and tells us what to expect from the space in the coming months.

Hi Bon! What was the initial idea you had for the space?

Bonnapart Galeng: We opened Spruce Gallery out of frustration over the lack of accessibility of interesting print titles in Manila. We are a vibrant and dynamic city, but surprisingly, there are no independent magazine stores. This is frustrating for many people who love magazines and want to support independent publishers. We believe that Manila deserves a place where people can discover new voices and enjoy the experience of reading in print. We hope that Spruce Gallery can fill this void and become a hub for the city's magazine and print lovers. In addition to providing a curated selection of magazines, we also plan to host art exhibits and workshops that bring people together and promote the love of print.

What international titles do you think local magazine hoarders will be delighted to see in the store?

Aside from the indie favorites such as Apartamento, Monocle, Kinfolk, and The Gentlewoman, we really try to get the rare titles that we discovered from our travels. The Barcelona-based Sablos magazine is a fresh perspective on travel and lifestyle, offering an intimate glimpse into the hearts of places through the eyes of their beloved residents. We also have Brownbook which is an exceptional Middle East-focused magazine. It explores the vast spectrum of global issues through the lens of a region often stereotyped as exotic rather than celebrated for its journalistic freedom. Inque is a must-read for anyone who loves literature. Its commitment to publishing exceptional writing and its unique format make it a truly special magazine to collect. We have LUNCHEON which is a biannual independent cultural magazine that celebrates the intersection of art, fashion, and food. Each issue is carefully curated to resemble a multi-course meal, with each section offering a unique and engaging experience. When we discovered A Rabbit's Foot in Amsterdam — it’s one of the titles we really want to give a little push in the gallery. It’s an independent quarterly magazine that offers an in-depth exploration of cinema, art, and culture. Founded by producer, writer, and filmmaker Charles Finch, the magazine is known for its thoughtful essays, insightful interviews, and stunning photography. [The] price range is very competitive. We really try to be as close to the official retail price of the magazine as possible. This would help to ensure that more people have access to the magazine titles.

How did you choose the titles you're currently stocking? Did you focus on any particular niche?

When selecting magazines/zines for Spruce Gallery, we prioritize those that showcase exceptional design and reflect unique perspectives. We believe that magazines offer a powerful platform for self-expression and storytelling, and we are committed to providing a space where these voices can be heard. We carefully consider the visual aesthetic of each title, ensuring that it aligns with our overall vision. We also pay close attention to the content, seeking out those that explore diverse perspectives and challenge mainstream narratives.

What else can we expect from Spruce in the future?

You can expect more stock and interesting titles from around the globe. We strive to keep our stock current and carry more rare gems for Manila to discover. We will be constantly sourcing new and exciting magazines from all over the world, so that there is always something new to discover. We are also committed to carrying a wide variety of magazines, from popular titles to obscure gems. We are also planning to bring the editors and makers of your favorite titles here [to] Manila.

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Spruce Gallery is located at the Upper Ground Floor, City & Land Mega Plaza, ADB Ave, Cor. Garnet Rd, Pasig. Follow them on Instagram @sprucegalleryph.