By PAULINE FAYE V. TRIA
It is common knowledge that in order to become good at something, you have to keep practicing it. In this case, reading for at least 20 minutes a day is a surefire way of becoming a voracious reader if you keep at it.
In an effort to promote reading, The Manila Bulletin, under the brand and marketing department, launched the “Read for 20” initiative that encourages Filipino families to read at least 20 minutes a day.
Launched last Nov. 27, 2016 at the National Book Store Glorietta Mall, The Manila Bulletin reading campaign aims to instill in Filipino families the habit of reading, starting from early childhood.
The event was graced by Reading Association of the Philippines president Victor Villanueva, NBS managing director Xandra Ramos-Padilla, Department of Education chief administrative officer-communications division Boots Bautista, MB executive vice president Dr. Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr., and MB external affairs head Barbie Atienza.
A study conducted by Social Weather Stations showed that the habit of reading books, newspapers, and magazines among Filipinos dropped to 88 percent in 2012 from 94 percent in 2003.
The Manila Bulletin’s “Read for 20” initiative not only encourages the habit of reading but also motivates the donation of old books for libraries. These books will then be donated to organizations and communities that need it. One of the beneficiaries was MovEd, a non-government institution that brings care and programs to children and their families.
The Manila Bulletin was able to collect a total of 1,588 books and these books were donated to Parañaque Learning Lab San Antonio.
The reading campaign started in Sept. 29, 2016, spearheaded by The Manila Bulletin social responsibility head Badette Cunanan and Dr. Sonny Coloma.
In an effort to promote the campaign, The Manila Bulletin did book drives, a block screening, and book donations. They even installed mobile libraries in different places such as universities, parks, malls, and other public areas.
The Manila Bulletin also partnered up with restaurants and bookstores such as Café France, Tim Hortons, and others, which they turned into the location for the “Read for 20” dropboxes.
This year, The Manila Bulletin has collected around 500 books that will be donated to a chosen beneficiary school.