SM Prime Holdings Inc., through SM Cares Program on Youth and Children’s Welfare, recently celebrated the National Children’s Book Reading Day 2012, in commemoration of the publication of Jose Rizal’s rendition of “Ang Pagong at Ang Matsing” (Monkey and the Turtle) found in the July 1889 issue of Trubner’s Oriental Record in London. The event was celebrated simultaneously in all the 43 SM Supermalls in the Philippines plus the 4 SM malls in China located in Xiamen, Jinjiang, Chengdu and Suzhou.
Started in 2009, SM Cares annually celebrates National Children’s Book Reading Day every 3rd Tuesdays of July. This SM event is in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the National Book Development Board (NBDB), National Bookstore, Vibal Publishing, BDO Foundation and SM Foundation. During the National Children’s Book Reading Day, kids experience the wonderful world of books through storytelling that helps reinforce a child’s rich and colourful imagination. The exercise also enhances proper values and encourages children to explore and learn more about other cultures.
During the event launch held at SM Megamall, SM Foundation donated 1,000 books to the libraries of school beneficiaries which include Doña Pilar C. Gonzaga Elementary School, Ilaya Barangka Integrated School, Doña Basilisa Yanco Elementary School, Mandaluyong High School, Bonifacio Javier High School, Mataas na Paaralang Neptali Gonzales and Jose Fabella Memorial School. Other SM Malls have also donated books to the libraries of their school beneficiaries.
The SM Cares Program on Youth and Children’s Welfare was created to put into action SM’s advocacy for the young members of our society. In all the SM Supermalls, employees, front-liners, and mall tenants are regularly taught how to manage children and how to cater to a child in distress. SM conducts year-round programs and trainings to encourage children to be responsible citizens and to teach them Filipino values. SM continues to uphold its commitment to Filipino youth in many ways.