By: Andrea Eleanor Cabaron
Photo by: Ram Campos /The LANCE
In an era of fast-paced trends, using digital media and literature that are fixated on keeping the young occupied and entertained, the question lingers… Do we still read books?
The Library Services Department of Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila exhibited the 2024 National Book Week with the theme, “Magbasa. Mangarap. Magdiwang.” Encouraging Letran students and faculty to celebrate the importance of books in fostering imagination, knowledge, and community.
The National Book Week of Letran-Manila began with the ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2024 at the long-established Salon de Actos—led by the 82nd Rector of Letran, Rev. Fr. Raymund Fernando P. Jose, OP, SThL-MA—marking the start of the week-long celebration filled with events that cater to readers and non-readers alike.
Following the ceremonial ribbon cutting, the Salon de Actos came alive with excitement and curiosity. Students, faculty, and administrators gathered to witness the unveiling of a series of activities designed to inspire a love for reading and remind everyone of the timeless value of books.
The theme, “Magbasa. Mangarap. Magdiwang.” reflected throughout the event, emphasizing the transformative power of books—not just as sources of information but as vehicles of dreams and celebrations of shared passion for life.
Celebration of Books and Beyond
Bathed in warm light and soft breeze, the Salon de Actos was occupied with the Letran Library’s booths that showcased the activities they have set for the Letran community to experience the joy of reading.
The reading festival’s highlights included the Book Buffet, a playful and interactive activity where the participants can sample a variety of books—much like a food buffet—where there are set-ups and allotted space with different tables featuring all-around genres and titles.
Another activity is the Book fair/ bazaar. Helping the Letran community in developing a healthy buying habit and appreciation of literature by bringing books and educational reading materials in their reach.
Book swap is another creative and engaging activity the festival showcased, giving each participant to bring books they have read and reveled in, allowing them to browse the booth’s table of the books they choose to swap with. Granting them another opportunity to discover a new book favorite and connect with fellow book-lovers without the need for spending money.
A serene space in Salon de Actos is for the Mindful Pages corner beside the Reading Hub kiosk. Customized to promote relaxation and reflection, with seats provided, the compartment of books is curated literature that focuses on mindfulness, self-care, and personal growth.
Students from elementary to junior high school are encouraged to donate books that can contribute to the education and development of others, promoting a sustainable way of recycling books and a better future.
Bridging Stories Through The Screen
Another set of activities organized by the Letran-Manila Library Services Department included Reel Reads and scheduled film showings, aimed at bridging the worlds of literature and visual storytelling. These initiatives targeted the younger generation, who are often more inclined to consume stories through digital platforms.
Reel Reads, a flagship competition of the event, challenged participants to share their passion for reading, making a 50-second video reel where they will talk about a book that inspires their love for literature.. This innovative approach not only celebrated classic and contemporary literature but also encouraged students to explore their creativity through making digital content.
By blending traditional and modern media, Reel Reads highlighted how stories could evolve while retaining their essence.
One standout entry was Alyssa Gael D. Aquino’s take on the book, “Kung Alam Niyo Lang” by the National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Ricky Lee. She shares Ricky Lee’s sign in her book, asking her to always be in touch with her inner child.
Alyssa Aquino from STEM 12C won the contest which was announced in the Letran-Manila Library’s Facebook page. Alyssa’s achievement demonstrated how young creatives can honor and sustain the essence of literature while adapting it to resonate in a digital age.
The Organizer’s Vision
The junior high school librarian, Ms. Jemlyne J. Romero shares her experiences being the organizer of the event. “Somehow, tulong-tulong kaming mga librarian to put up this week-long celebration.”
Ms. Romero explained that this is the 90th celebration for National Book Week since 1934. The Philippines has celebrated this event, aimed at attracting the national interest in reading and literacy. She further reveals that the donated books from the book donation drive was imparted to Barangay 94 Day Care Center of ONE Decena, Pasay City. Children in the daycare center relished in a storytelling session with the elementary librarian, Ms. Eunice A. Sison and Mr. Antonino O. Guerrero III, the engineering & technology librarian.
When asked about the challenges the organizer had to deal with by bolstering the event, she opens up about the budget, manpower, and the weather. Though the challenges were present, the support of the Letran community through filling out the evaluation form with reviews from their experiences in the event was the most rewarding for her. It was appreciated by many people from the Letran community, giving her the assurance that the Letran library’s presence is still felt and understood. They scored a high and successful evaluation rating for their event, a statistic provided by the Letran Research Department.
“Masarap naman sa feeling na maraming nag-participate,” Ms. Romero shared what she had seen the students and staff respond to the event. With the help of the venue being in Salon de Actos, where the students meet the welcoming and beautiful display of the festival first thing as they enter the Colegio’s walls.
As a librarian herself, when asked if she sees a decline in book reading she answered, “Kung makikita natin yung statistics [ng] borrowing of books—pre-pandemic—umaabot siya nang thousands, pero ngayon bilang nalang..” She factored in the fact that compared to then, Letran now has access to electronic resources for journals, e-books, and webpages that the Colegio pays to provide the students. She adds that in digital archives the college provides the Letran community does not need to be borrowed but instead can be downloaded.
For the past few years, the Letran library has been subscribing to electronic resources for higher education, but this year they are trying to also provide more electronic resources to the basic education department.
Redefining Reading in the Digital Age
The event stood as a profound reminder of the transformative power of literature in a world increasingly dominated by fleeting digital distractions. It was not just a celebration of books but a testament to the resilience of storytelling—how it adapts, persists, and continues to shape the minds and hearts of those who dare to engage with it.
Do we still read books? The activities of the week offered a resounding yes, but with a deeper truth: the way we engage with stories has evolved, reflecting our changing world. The Book Buffet, Reel Reads, and Mindful Pages Corner showed that the act of reading transcends the physical object. It is about the quest for understanding, the yearning for connection, and the hope for self-discovery.
Books are no longer just ink on paper; they are catalysts of imagination, stepping stones for critical thought, and anchors in a fast-moving sea of information. They remind us that amidst the noise of the digital age, there are still quiet places where we can retreat, reflect, and grow.
As the week drew to a close, National Book Week left an undeniable mark—not just on the participants but on the ongoing narrative of why stories matter. They matter because they challenge us to think differently, to empathize, and to dream bigger. They matter because, no matter how the medium changes, the human desire to connect and gather knowledge through words will remain timeless.