Mayor Francis reads to kids during the Reading Month Celebration

San Juan City Mayor Francisco Javier M. Zamora and the First Lady Madam Keri Zamora, read the story “Papel de Liha” to the crowd’s delight during the culminating activity of the Reading Month held on November 29, 2022, at Pinaglabanan Elementary School Activity Center. It is a heartwarming tale of a mother whose love language is service for her family penned by Ompong Remigio and illustrations by Beth Parrocha-Doctolero. This year’s celebration centered on the theme, “Basa. Bayan. Bukas.” in recognition of the valuable inputs of reading in building the future of this nation.

The first part of the program featured the simultaneous storytelling sessions of the key officials in the city government and the schools division office. Congresswoman Atty. Bel Zamora, the lone Representative of San Juan in the Congress, joined this activity together with Vice Mayor Warren Villa, and the City Councilors headed by the Education Committee Leader Councilor Keith R. Peralta, Councilor Totoy Bernardo, Councilor Bea Celine D. De Guzman, Councilor Don Carlos Armand Crisostomo Allado. Partners from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology JInsp. Ruby P. Logan, SJ04 Christine L. Darum, J01 Mary Lourdes Grace L. Cantoria joined the fun alongside the other key officials of the Department of Education San Juan City led by Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Cecille G. Carandang, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Buenafe E. Sabado, Chief Education Supervisor for Curriculum Dr. Helen G. Padilla, and Chief Education Supervisor for School Operations and Governance Dr. Dominique T. Rivera. Moreover, the School Heads from the different public elementary and secondary schools were in attendance with the special participation of Madam Marina F. Aunzo and Madam Florence C. Ares who likewise served as storytellers for the selected classes.

There were also individual and group performances rendered by the pupils from participating schools. Frederick C. Cruz of Nicanor Ibuna ES, Maria Ila B. Villarcampo of San Juan ES, and Dezirei Faith A. Cesista of West Crame ES gave charming performances on story reading while pupils of Kabayanan ES and Salapan ES featured endearing presentations of Readers Theater in English and Filipino. A colorful display of costumes ensued sported by the chosen audience from Pinaglabanan ES, five of whom were awarded cash prizes courtesy of Mayor Zamora. Integral to the program was also the announcement of the results in the 2022 Literacy Awards highlighting the effective implementation of the Reading Intervention Program. It spanned the conduct of the localized eight-week curriculum as evidenced by the post-assessment test results validated by the curriculum supervisors.

Meanwhile, Dr. Carandang emphasized that the reading intervention is part of the continuing efforts of learning recovery and continuity being done in the schools. She extended her congratulations to all the teachers and school leaders who gave their time and commitment to address the reading gaps brought about by the pandemic. In his solidarity message, Councilor Peralta related his experiences as a father to three kids who also invested in reading. He emphasized how reading skills could help improve one’s knowledge of everyday things. For his part, Mayor Zamora said, “Reading should also be pleasurable. Our city government is investing heavily in its digital assets creating free wifi zones in schools and other public spaces. The distribution of free uniforms to all public school children is also set to commence in the days to come.”

After the messages of support and the awarding of winners, Curriculum Chief Dr. Padilla invited everyone for the pledge of commitment. She highlighted that each one has an integral role to play in championing the advocacy of reading and seeing it in the context of a lifelong skill. To formally close the first half of the program, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Sabado reiterated the need to persevere and collaborate with different stakeholders as it really does take a village to educate a child. The creative display of learning materials captured by the different booths set up around the activity center was a testament to the brilliance and hard work of teachers and school leaders. She challenged the audience to sustain the energy until the literacy goal of zero non-readers is attained in this division.

The afternoon event covered the simultaneous conduct of three contests namely, the Spelling Bee for Filipino and English participated in by Grade 2 and 3 learners, the Poster-Making Contest intended for Grade 4 learners, and the Essay-Writing Contest for Grade 5 and 6 learners. The trainers and parents were given a dedicated space just outside the contest venues while the contestants, the judges, and the organizers, went on with their respective activities. Eventually, the winners were declared in the end.

Here are the results of the 2022 Literacy Awards for the Reading Intervention Program and the division-wide contests for the Reading Month. Congratulations to all the winners!

A. Reading Intervention Program