On its second leg this year, the National Book Development Board’s (NBDB) Booklatan visited two schools in the city of Makati on June 24, 2014. Dubbed Booklatan sa Eskuwela: Tuloy ang Basa, the project, held in partnership with DepEd NCR and Teach Philippines, consisted of book fairs, seminars, workshops,and a medical mission among others. Over 200 students, teachers, and government employees participated in the events that were organized in parallel at Makati Elementary School Library Hub and Fort Bonifacio Elementary School.

NBDB Chair Flor Marie Sta. Romana Cruz with DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro shortly after the
unveiling of the agency's latest poster kwhere Hon. Luistro is featured as an NBDB reading advocate.

A highlight of the Booklatan project was the launch of NBDB’s Tibok 3, the latest in the agency's reading campaign giveaways. As with its prequels, Tibok 3 is created by comics artist and writer Manix Abrera. This time, though, it features the latest among NBDB's reading advocates: Department of Education Secretary Armin Luistro. Tibok 3 depicts the story of how Sec. Luistro came to cultivate an interest for reading and how it eventually turned into an enduring love affair he recognized every so often in the most
unexpected places. Following Tibok 3's debut was an event that Sec. Luistro himself spearheaded: the launch of the library locator and logo.

Ribbon waiting to be cut at the book fair at Makati Elementary School.

Bridging the Booklatan events in the morning and those in the afternoon were ribbon cutting ceremonies for the book fairs in the two schools. Participating publishers were Adarna House, Anvil Publishing, and Lampara Books. Meanwhile, the afternoon sessions were successfully conducted by the invited resource speakers: Ana Maria A. Bacudio, Dr. Isagani Cruz, Mabi David, Natasha Francisco, Leonila Galvez, Angelica R. Gonzales, Nanie Guanlao, and Harris Guevarra. (More info about the Booklatan sessions below.)

Children’s Literature Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CLAPI) President Leonila S. Galvez starts off the afternoon session at Makati Elementary School with a seminar on the ethical and academic standards in choosing resource materials for the library.

Resource speakers pose and participants of the forum on strategies in increasing readership in the community. From L-R (seated): Ex Libris Philippines president Natasha Francisco, Aklatan sa Bangketa founder and caretaker Nanie Guanlao, Dagdag Dunong Reading Center project leader Ana Maria A. Bacudio, Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL) Senior Associate Micaella Angelica R. Gonzales.

Fort Bonifacio Elementary School students feast over books despite the scorching heat of the afternoon.