The nook and cranny of reading
By Alex C. Paita
[see news clipping]

Posted: 7:56 PM (Manila Time) | Jul. 20, 2002
Inquirer News Service

"ILLITERACY" will be dropped from Marikina City's vocabulary-soon.

With a dynamic Sa Aklat Sisikat (SAS) Reading Program, which has been underway in its 17 public schools since January, the city is redefining itself from "the city that makes shoes" to "the city that reads."
An addition to the program is the SAS Tulong Kaalaman Senter (Tuklas) Reading Corner, a "unique modular literacy nook" that was unveiled by Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando and SAS Foundation on July 12 at the L. Victorino Elementary School (LVES).

The SAS-Tuklas Reading Corner is designed to complement the SAS reading program. It is given as a reward to the SAS partner public elementary schools in Marikina for complying with all the requirements of the program.

"Each of the 17 public elementary schools in this city will be a recipient of this Reading Corner, which, we hope, will be put to good use by thousands of school children," says Margarita L. Delgado, president of SAS Foundation Inc. "SAS wants to build a nation of readers because we strongly believe that we are giving the next generation a fighting chance."

The Reading Corner, installed at the library of the LVES, is a creatively designed module that provides children a comfortable space to explore books. A variety of children's literature storybooks, which promote the values of identity, pride, commitment and excellence, can be found on every deck of the "corner."
Among these are award-winning books by prized authors, such as "Ang Gintong Habian, Mga Kwentong Premyado ng Palanca"; "Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Raquel" by Luis Gatmaitan, M.D.; "The Brothers Wu and the Good-Luck Eel, A Tale from the Philippine Islands" by Fran Ng; "The Warrior Dance and Other Classic Philippine Tales" by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz; "The Boy Who Ate Stars" by Alfred A. Yuson; and "Sundalong Patpat (Thin Soldier)" by Virgilio Almario.

Representatives from Petron Foundation, Jollibee, Coca-Cola Foundation, SM Foundation and Globe Telecom were also present at the unveiling and turnover ceremonies.

Cool attitude

"Sa Aklat Sisikat" (loosely translated as "Books Make You Cool") was launched in 1999 as a literary campaign in Manila. After the immense success of its pilot project, which reached out to 21,000 students in 26 different schools in Manila, SAS was established in association with Petron Foundation in January 2001.

Eye opener

"Working with Marikina is an eye-opener," says Delgado. "We realized that if only with the constant support of local government units, we can achieve so much."

To date, 5,600 books have been distributed to 7,500 fourth graders in the 17 public elementary schools in the city.
Marikina has always worked closely with the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement its literacy education initiatives for children of elementary school age, says Fernando. Being emphasized are development reading, functional reading, recreational reading and reading recovery.

Writing and journalism contests for elementary and secondary levels are among the activities being planned to "bring Marikina's youth to the forefront of literacy in the country."

The city is also aiming to promote board games, such as chess and scrabble, among the youth.

"Instead of dawdling around or playing Countersrike, isn't it better for them (the youth) to play games that enhance the mind?" says Fernando.

To this call, Marikina is including "Push Pawns, Not Drugs" in its lineup of campaigns for the coming months.

Zero non-readers

"The Reading Corner is a major component of the city's drive for zero non-readers by the end of 2002," says Fernando. "Marikina is among the most progressive cities in the Philippines in terms of reading initiatives."

So why reading, and not math or science?
"Reading is the foundation of all education," said Marge M. Barro, executive director of SAS. "You wouldn't be good in Math or Science if you don't read."

The results of the Third International Mathematics and Science Test attest to that. Of the 41 representing countries, the Philippines is third from the last, bested by its Asian neighbors Singapore, South Korea and Japan, which rank first, second and third, respectively.

"It's not because Filipino students are not good in Math and Science," points out Delgado. "It's because they don't fully understand the questions."

SAS and Marikina City have high hopes that the Reading Corner will become a haven for the kids to develop their love for books and habit of reading, and eventually remedy the literacy problem of Philippine education.