BAGUIO CITY – SM Foundation thru SM Cares’ Program for Children initiated the National Children’s Book Reading Day (NCBRD) that takes an advocacy of promoting literacy and encourage children to develop their love of reading at an early age
The National Children’s Book Reading Day is celebrated in SM Malls every 3rd Tuesday of July in commemoration of the publication of Dr. Jose Rizal’s classic, “ Ang Pagong at Ang Matsing’’. NCBRD is held simultaneously in all 70 SM Supermalls plus SM China and SMDC Malls every 3rd Tuesday of July every year.
In SM City Baguio, about a hundred elementary students ages 6 to 9 years old participated in the said book reading event. The students came from Mabini Elementary School, SPED Center, Baguio Central School, Lucban Elementary and Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School.
The Council President of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines- Baguio City Council Leonila Lumibao was invited to read the book entitled, “Two Friends One World” authored by Ramon Sunico and Joanne De Leon. The story is about two friends, one blind and one sighted, tell stories of each other’s world and discover, in the simple act of sharing, a larger, more marvellous world where they both belong. While Ralph Guieb, GMA- 7 host, also inspired the students by reading the 2nd book: “Piyesta sa Hardin ni Lola Benita”. A boy who likes sweets learns to love fresh fruits and vegetables from Lola Benita’s garden.
Both storytellers imparted to the students the moral lessons they could get from the two stories and encouraged the kids to make reading a daily habit.
Meanwhile, all the students were given a book each from Vibal and Anvil Publishing, Inc. and school supplies from National Book Store as their mementoes for the NCBRD celebration. Also, Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School, through its principal Danilo Gayao, received the 100 assorted books from SM City Baguio management for their school library for students reading pleasure.
Annually, SM Supermalls celebrate National Children’s Book Reading Day as part of its campaign to instil good values in the hearts of children and widen their imagination to enhance creativity and intelligence in partnership with the Department of Education, Anvil Publishing, Vibal Publishing and SM Foundation.
By Karren Nobres
