In celebration of the National Reading Month, Centro Escolar University supported Manila Bulletin’s launch on its advocacy campaign named “Read for 20”, last November 25, 2016 at the National Book Store in Glorietta Mall, Makati City.
Studies showed that Filipinos’ habit of reading books, newspapers, magazines, and comics declined from 94% in 2003 to only 88% in 2012. Given this statistics, Manila Bulletin spearheaded the campaign to encourage people, mainly the youth, to develop the habit of reading for a minimum of 20 minutes a day.
“Reading books is still a far superior experience from digital media,” said Former Secretary Sonny Coloma, Executive Vice President of Manila Bulletin.
Mr. Victor Villanueva, President of the Reading Association of the Philippines, talked about the impact of a reading habit and how it is formed. According to him, reading is a skill one has to perform in a regular basis to be good at it. “You believe in reading, you invest in it”, Mr. Villanueva added.
Aside from reading, the campaign is also set as a book drive that aims to encourage book donations. Mobile libraries will be installed in different locations such as universities, parks, malls and other public areas. Restaurants and bookstores that will be partnering with MB will also be a location for the “Read for 20” drop boxes.
Upon consolidation, all book donations will be displayed in “Wonders of Reading“ library that will feature iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, The Roman Coliseum, The Pyramids of Giza, and many more.
Donated books will be distributed to selected organizations and communities, one of which is MovEd. Founded in 2012, MovEd aims to bring early childhood care and development programs to children and their families in underserved communities around the Philippines. Recipients are their partner schools in Barangay Carangcang, Magarao in Camarines Sur, and Barangay Tanza in Navotas City.
Ms. Badette Cunanan, Head of MB Corporate Social Responsibility, Ms. Sandra Ramos-Padilla, NBS Managing Director, Ms. Boots Bautista, Department of Education Chief Administrative Officer-Communications Division, and Mr. Barbie Atienza, Head of MB External Affairs, attended the campaign.
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