Do you love books? I enjoy reading more than watching television. I even dream of having my own library someday.
Books have
their own unique effect on each individual. When we get to hold books in our
hands and flip through its pages, words enchant us, opening our minds to new experiences.
There are books that inform and educate people, from general facts about life to
how to cook exotic dishes. There are also books that take you on exciting adventures,
scare you through thrilling feats, and of course, books that make you feel all
kinds of love – even the unimaginable. Nothing beats the feeling of finishing a
book and adding it to your bookshelf, knowing that you’ve been changed by what
you read. While there may be thousands of books published out there, some just stick
with us and are worth sharing with the rest of the world.
Spreading
the love for reading among Filipinos is at the core of National Book Store
(NBS). This year, the country’s favorite
book store is celebrating 75 years of creating a growing nation of
readers and being a strong advocate for education.
As part
of the festivities, NBS recently launched the Read Out Loud Challenge (ROLC) on
Facebook and Instagram, aiming to promote the love of reading among Filipinos
while supporting a good cause. The
mechanics are simple. Post a video of yourself reading out loud an excerpt from
your favorite book and challenge 3 other people to do it. When you upload to
either Facebook or Instagram, add the hashtag #ReadOutLoudChallenge and tag National
Book Store (@nbsalert).
For
every 75 videos posted, the NBS Foundation will set up a library in a public
school, complete with Project Aklat racks that consist of DepEd-approved books.
Project Aklat is an initiative started back in 2006 by the NBS Foundation, and
400 libraries have been set up since then. Now, with the ongoing ROLC campaign, NBS
aims to set up 100 libraries nationwide.
With
such a worthy cause, it’s no surprise that celebrities and authors have taken
on the ROLC. Leading them is no less
than the founder of NBS and an advocate for literacy, Mrs. Socorro Ramos or
Nanay Coring, as she is fondly called.
While the ROLC
will promote and support Project Aklat, the NBS Foundation will also launch the
8th year of Project Aral this April 7,2017 in all NBS branches
nationwide. Project Aral aims to visit and help over 150 communities who lack
basic school necessities. That’s why in this year’s Project Aral, there will be
two different kits: The first kit which costs only 25 pesos contains 2 notebooks, 2 pencils, a
sharpener, and an eraser. The second kit costs 50 pesos and contains 2 notebooks, 2 pencils, a sharpener,
an eraser, and a pair of slippers – a great gift for children who currently
have to make their way to school barefoot. But whatever kit you purchase will
surely bring a smile to many Filipino children.
These are just a few of the activities in store for Filipinos as part of National Book Store’s 75th anniversary. There will be more to come, but for now, celebrate with NBS by accepting the Read Out Loud Challenge to spread the love for reading and help set up libraries nationwide. Time to bring your favorite lines to life! Shop online at nationalbookstore.com. Visit the NBS Blog (blog.nationalbookstore.com) and follow them on social media (@nbsalert) on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.