Fostering a Love of Reading

Ayala Foundation President Tony Lambino (center, 2nd row) and Ayala Land Senior Vice President Mariana Zobel de Ayala (2nd row, third from right) meet with students, teachers, and parents from Bagong Tanyag Integrated School in Taguig City; #BrigadangAyala Open Book trolleys containing up to 80 books and a Philippine flag will be distributed to nearly 200 schools nationwide

Reading inspires lifelong learning and nurtures the next generation of leaders.

MARIANA ZOBEL DE AYALA
ALI SVP and Head of Leasing and
Hospitality

In line with the government’s call to strengthen the reading abilities of Filipino learners, the Ayala group is implementing #BrigadangAyala Open Book, a nationwide campaign to foster a love for reading in public elementary schools.

Led by Ayala Foundation and Ayala Land, the program engages public and private stakeholders to address learning gaps and support the Department of Education (DepEd)’s National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP).

Open Book proponents noted the importance of fostering a love of reading beyond its effects on literacy. Ayala Land Senior Vice President Mariana Zobel de Ayala highlighted how books can “unlock a world of possibilities for children” and recognized the “transformative power” of reading.

“Promoting a love of reading does not only help improve literacy—it also opens up children’s minds, giving them a better understanding of the world around them,” added Ayala Foundation President Tony Lambino.

Open Book has gathered 26,000 books to date, surpassing the target of 20,000 books for 172 schools nationwide. The program will turn over these curated, age-appropriate books to partner schools in trolleys that will serve as mini rolling libraries. In coordination with local DepEd offices and Ayala business units, regular read-aloud sessions will be led by volunteer storytellers or Reading AmBASAdors to help sustain interest in the program.

Those who would like to support #BrigadangAyala Open Book may purchase books through https://adarna.com.ph/collections/ayala-foundation-open-book-bundle, drop off books at the concierge of Ayala Malls or the Tower One and Exchange Plaza, or sign up to volunteer at volunteermark.com/ayalacorporatecitizenship.

Read the full story at www.ayalafoundation.org.