PHL Mission in Geneva Launches a Children’s Book Reading Corner 

29 November 2017 GENEVA — The Children’s Book Reading corner was launched by the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva during the Consular Open House, held in Geneva, Switzerland on November 26. 

The launch event featured a book reading led by Ms. Ruvi Landicho who presented “Araw sa Palengke” and Ms. Neil Aica Tintero who read from her own childhood favorite “Chenelyn, Chenelyn.” Both are published by Adarna Publishing, Inc. and are among the number of books for children that may now be read at the Mission’s Library.

The activity, which was attended by children between 4 to12 years old and their parents, coincides with the observance of November as the “National Reading Month” by the Philippines’ Department of Education, the “Araw ng Pagbasa” (National Reading Day) on November 27 (under Republic Act 10556), the National Book Week (under Proclamation 109 series of 1936), during the fourth week of November, and the Filipino Values month (under Proclamation No. 479, series of 1995). 

In his opening remarks, Consul General Enrico T. Fos said that sharing Filipino stories is an opportunity for Filipino children living in Geneva to appreciate their roots, heritage, culture and values, as well as to develop awareness on gender and development.

This book project is in line with the Philippine Mission’s Gender and Activity Development (GAD) program, which aims to promote to children the Philippine culture and values including non-discriminatory and gender equality through stories.

The new children’s book corner highlights Filipino values, Philippine History, Mythology, culture, as well as other topics covered by the Mission’s work in Geneva, namely: environment, human rights, disaster resilience, heath and the OFW experience. We look forward to more reading activities in our book corner in 2018. END

For more information, visit www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/genevapcg.