IT WAS a day of fun and learning at the Gen. Del Pilar Elementary School as the United Print & Multimedia Group Philippines (UPMG) launched its Back to School: Flip & Scroll Reading Campaign.
Several Grade 3 students and their teachers headed by their principal, Rizalina Castro, were present during the event that aimed to reintroduce the art of reading among the youth especially for those in their formative years.
UPMG President Vivienne A. Motomal said that reading does not mean reading books or newspapers alone. It can also be done using tablets or mobile phones. However, reading should not only be done in school but should also start at home with the guidance of their parents.
Citing the 2024 Philippine Statistics Authority data, Motomal lamented that while at least 90% of Filipinos starting aged 5 are literate or can read, write and compute, only 70.8% individuals aged 10 to 64 understand them or perform basic literacy skills. This indicates that a substantial number of Filipinos can perform basic literacy but have difficulty with comprehension. This is the reason why the Philippines lags in international student assessment.
Motomal and the UPMG Board and members are determined to contribute to the effort in uplifting literacy in the country through reading.
A story-telling portion was part of the event with the question and answer portion and some games. Each student received special loot bags containing goodies from select sponsors like Universal Robina Corp. and Goldilocks. Malaysian Counselor Nur Farahliza Putri Naaim Yazid also distributed books to the cheers and delight of participating students.
UPMG’s PRO Aldwin Tolosa and auditor Roda Zabat said that the event may just be the beginning of the group’s effort to spread reading awareness and this project’s Back to Basic Reading campaign will continue in the months to come.
This project was in partnership with the AD Standard Council./PN
