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Written by Noah Daniel Bondoc of G10-Proactiveness
Photos from NTC SmartClass Admin
WATCH ME HERE: COMMUNITY OUTREACH 2025
On the morning of May 24, 2025, the Quezon City Public Library District 5 Sta. Lucia Branch was transformed from a quiet sanctuary of books into a vibrant hub filled with laughter, learning, and a strong sense of community. This special day was a meaningful follow-up to last year’s successful outreach organized by NTC SmartClass, and it carried the same goal close to our hearts—to bring joy, learning, and hope to young minds through our theme, “Together in Learning, Together in Giving.”
To make this year’s outreach even more impactful, we organized a month-long donation drive. We are deeply grateful to have received generous monetary donations, which enabled us to purchase school supplies, and in-kind donations, including pre-loved books for the library, prizes, and snacks. This outreach supported 50 children from Grades 4 to 7, and none of it would have been possible without the kindness and commitment of our donors, volunteers, supporters, and partners.
From 9:00 to 11:30 AM, the library buzzed with energy and purpose as students, volunteers, and guests came together in the spirit of giving. Hosts Ms. Loren Barlaan and Ms. Jade Naniong warmly welcomed everyone, while Ms. Cherille Siquete, President of the Homeschooler Support Committee, reminded us all that books are not merely objects. They are gateways to new worlds, ideas, and dreams.
The day unfolded with interactive and engaging activities. Julien Celorio and Rachel Siquete broke the ice with “Two Truths and a Lie,” filling the room with laughter. Euanmark Recto, Student Council Vice President for External Affairs, delivered a heartfelt storytelling session with “Ang Mga Lambing ni Lolo Ding,” touching on love, warmth, and the wisdom of elders. Rachel then dazzled everyone with her spirited dance performance to “RIZZ” by PLAVE. I had the joy of leading Guess the Word, a literary game that sparked enthusiasm and curiosity as children eagerly participated with raised hands and excited voices.
One of the most meaningful moments came during the peer-to-peer reading of “The Kissing Hand,” a Filipino adaptation I personally wrote based on Audrey Penn’s beloved tale. The story speaks of a mother’s comforting love as her child prepares for new experiences. As we read it together, the message settled deeply. One child softly whispered, “Parang nanay ko lang.” In that moment, we were no longer just volunteers and participants. We were a family, connected by the power of story and the universal language of care.
As emotions gently gave way to smiles, the children enjoyed their snacks, generously provided by the viral “Neneng B” (Geraldine Atienza), along with refreshing juice from our kind-hearted donors. While they ate, Justin Gramtam serenaded the room with “Hanggang Kailan - Umuwi Ka Na Baby” by Orange and Lemons, his voice adding a soothing calm and a touch of tenderness to the heat of the late morning.
The gift-giving followed, and before distributing the school supplies, I had the honor of delivering a short speech on behalf of the NTC SmartClass community during the book turnover ceremony.
I shared a message close to my heart:
"A single book can change a life. A single story can ignite a dream so fierce it shapes the course of your life. Find that book, that story, the one that can make you say, ‘This is who I want to be. This is what I want to become.’ A book can be more than pages and ink. It can be your friend when you feel alone, your guide when you're lost, your teacher when you’re ready to grow. It can pull you into adventure when the world feels still or give voice to questions you didn’t know you needed to ask. And when it teaches you kindness, that lesson becomes part of you and lives on in everything you do.”
As I spoke, I hoped the words would resonate. But it was the bright smiles on the children's faces as they received their school supplies that truly said it all. Their joy was more than enough thanks, a quiet reminder of why we do what we do.
Turning over the books to the library was more than a formality. It was a promise that learning belongs to everyone. And even from Singapore, our SC Vice President of Internal Affairs, Dave Cuyler Cruz, reminded us in his closing message that
“Learning doesn’t stop here. It can happen anywhere, anytime, as long as you stay curious.”
As the event came to a close and we began to pack up, the walls of the library seemed to echo the day’s lessons. Every book shared, every game played, and every hand held was a step toward lasting change. We came to give, but we walked away with something even greater: a renewed belief that when we lift others, we all rise together.
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." — Mahatma Gandhi
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