Call me a nerd, but one thing (among many other blessings) I really appreciate that my parents did was in inculcating in us, their three children (we are now in our 50s), the love of reading whether this be in magazines, newspapers, books or through the use of gadgets.
This gift of reading we are now doing the same for our children, their grandchildren, and hoping that we are as successful as they were with us in encouraging them to read.
This near-sighted Ibaloy admits to derive pleasure in reading popular fiction especially by Stephen King, John Grisham, Dan Brown and the like including poetry by Pablo Neruda, Rumi, the romantic poets, and more.
I honestly find that reading has given and continues to give me a “fuller” (for lack of a better word) life and also allows me to escape the sometimes humdrum and “everydayness” of living in our country that seems to be forever ruled by political dynasties who seem to be the only people who can afford say that “it is ‘ore fun in the Philippines’.
Obviously, they don’t have to read in order to be ‘full’ (that word again) if you get what I mean. I could be mistaken, of course.
I do hope and pray that Baguio and Benguet that have never been lorded over by political dynasties, will remain free from such a corrupt abomination and utter stupidity that has trapped our beloved Philippines to Third World status and kept the vast majority of its people in grinding poverty.
No wonder many Filipinos would rather take the risk and search for greener pastures abroad than stay here where it is supposed to be “more fun”. Just saying.
Back to reading. I believe it was the great 19thcentury American poet Emily Dickinson who wrote the immortal lines, “There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away…”. If I remember correctly, she never married and was some sort of a loner most of her life and it was through reading that she travelled to distant lands and places while remaining in the comfort of her home. I, too, have travelled to many places, including distant planets, and even to the past and future via the magic of reading. Most of us already know that reading is educational, informative and entertaining and the best thing is it can be done for free. Just go to the public library.
Once again, I do hope that the Baguio city government’s plan to conduct a two-week reading camp this July especially for those with reading difficulties will materialize and be successful so it can become a continuing program.
No final venue and schedule have still been decided when this column was submitted. Also, kudos to the city public library headed by dear friend ma’am Easter Pablo for conducting a reading activity for children every Saturday, if I am not mistaken.
May more projects of this kind be implemented by both the public and private sector since teaching reading skills and inculcating the love of reading are such noble endeavors indeed. Cheers!
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless and keep us all safe.
May 15, 2024
