SM Celebrates Children's Book Day

CEBU, Philippines -  SM Supermalls all over the country held a simultaneous book reading activity last July 20 in celebration of the National Children’s Book Day.

In SM City Cebu, the activity was held at the Event Centre participated by three day care centers in Cebu City. Ms. Cebu 2010 Reena Elena Malinao was the storyteller of the book reading activity. Stories include “Ang Mahiwagang Kamiseta,” “Why Do Birds Build Nests,” and “Yummy Fly Pie.” At the end of the program, participating kids each received reading materials from Vibal Publishing, Inc., while day care centers also received books from SM Foundation, Inc.

 “With more than 2.8 million customers going to our malls daily, and approximately 1.2 million being children, we have put it upon ourselves to make our malls not just child-friendly, but more importantly, an avenue for a kid’s growth and learning,” mall manager Sherry Tuvilla said in her opening remarks. Ms. Cathy Yso, head of the Department of Social Welfare and Services thanked SM City Cebu for initiating such an event for children.

This SM Cares campaign is primarily to promote fun in learning among kids by letting them experience the wonderful world of books through digital storytelling with celebrities, book mascot parade, literary exhibits, book donation drive, “writeshops” for children’s literature and many more activities that would reinforce a child’s rich and colorful imagination, instill proper values, and encourage children to explore and learn about other cultures.

The National Children’s Book Day is also supported by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Department of Social Welfare and Services in Cebu City, Vibal Publishing, SM Foundation, and SM Storyland.