CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, July 20 (PIA) — SM City Calamba recently celebrated the National Children’s Book Day in commemoration of the publication of Dr Jose Rizal’s “Ang Pagong at Ang Matsing” (The Turtle and The Monkey) at the Trubner’s Oriental Record in London.

Three different books complemented with a visual presentation were read by invited storytellers to students aged 6-9 of Crossing Elementary School at the Mall Atrium.” Ang Pagong at ang Matsing” was read by Aleli Catalina Yap-Jimenez of Calamba City Health Office.

Banco de Oro representatives, Gilda Garcia and Wilda Solis, emphasized on saving money and being hardworking at an early age which is the moral lesson of “Isa, Dalawa, Tatlo Mayroon akong Regalo” through a question and answer portion after reading the story to the kids. Jenelyn Gonzalez, HR Supervisor of SM City Calamba Administration Office shared the story “Ang Bahaghari”.

Hosted by Maricar Cinco of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and SM City Calamba’s Building Administration Officer, Karl Marx Ancheta, the program included a turn-over ceremony to the beneficiary of 300 books from Vibal Publishing House Inc. and SM Foundation Inc. The books were awarded to Crossing Elementary School represented by Joyce Reyes, school principal and the teachers present during the event. Jollibee sponsored merienda for the kids and shared some fun with Jollibee Mascot.

SM Supermalls’ Corporate Social Responsibility program, SM Cares, through the SM Committee on Youth and Children’s Welfare, celebrates National Children’s Book Day every 3rd Tuesday of July across SM Malls nationwide.

The primary objective of this event is for kids to have fun in learning by experiencing the wonderful world of books through digital storytelling with book donation drive that would help reinforce a child’s rich and colourful imagination, instil proper values, and encourage children to explore and learn about other cultures. (CPG/ Joanna Carla Meneses-Saquilayan, PRO, SM City Calamba/PIA-Calabarzon)