An elaborate bookplate, or label affixed to the inside cover of a book to show ownership, alerted modern-day scholars to rare manuscripts once in the possession of Alexander Dalrymple, who was governor general of the Philippines during the Battle of Manila in 1762. Dalrymple transported the contents of the plundered library of San Pablo to London, where they were later auctioned and dispersed to various library and museum collections. PHOTO BY CRISTINA JUAN