“Read, read, read! Sa pagbabasa, maaari kayong lumipad, magpalit-anyo…” This is how Municipal Tourism Officer Rafael Saygo opened the Book-Giving Activity held October 9 by the Local Government Unit of Bayambang and the Local Council of Women (LCW), in partnership with the Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation, Inc. (KKSBFI), at the Balon Bayambang Events Center.

Indeed, giving books to children is like handing them a world full of possibilities and a future filled with opportunities, and this is exactly what Julie Fernandez, dubbed by Saygo as the “book fairy,” did, being the person who facilitated the donation of 60 books each to 22 District I and 25 District II elementary schools in Bayambang. The donation included reading, writing, mathematics, science, and other school books.

In his opening remarks, Municipal Administrator Atty. Bautista focused on the importance of reading books in attaining success in life. He said, “Education starts with a book. Although a diploma is a not a prerequisite to success, as there are those who succeeded without a diploma, still, those who succeeded read books.”

“They say knowledge is power. Books are a portal to that power,” he added. “I am often asked by millennials, ‘How to be you po?’ I always give them the advice, ‘Magbasa kayo.’”

LCW President Niña Jose-Quiambao expressed her gratitude to everyone who made the activity possible. Addressing the kids, she said, “Study hard, study well. Never be afraid to reach for your dreams.”

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Principals, teachers and students of the schools happily received their books that were personally handed to them by Fernandez, Jose-Quiambao, Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, Councilors Benjamin Francisco de Vera, Joseph Vincent Ramos, Martin Terrado II, and Amory Junio, Atty. Bautista, and members of the LCW, KKSBFI, and the Rotary Club of Bayambang.

LGU staff Jonathan Papio serenaded the crowd with a song after the kids received their books.

Saygo announced that the LCW is already planning what to give the kids for Christmas.

Councilor De Vera, who is also the LCW Vice-Chairman, ended the program with a quote saying, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”