PACQUIAO DISTRIBUTES BOOKS AS B'DAY HIGHLIGHT, QUOTES TRUMAN
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 17 Dec 2010
ALABEL, Sarangani ? Lone congressman of this province and boxing's pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, who will turn 32 years old tomorrow, led the distribution of 18,500 books to Sarangani's 28 high schools, 52 elementary schools and 20 day care centers during a cermenony held at the Provincial Capitol here Thursday afternoon.
Pacquiao, who grew up in the streets of General Santos and stopped going to school out of poverty, says that education is one of his priority as a lawmaker. ?We cannot afford to let the young Sarangans remain in the cudgels of poverty and illiteracy. We have to lead the way for them. They are our children and they are our responsibility,? Pacquiao told the audience composed mostly of the province's school principals who received the books in their school's behalf.
?As your congressman, I responded to the challenge. Ano man ang narating ko, patuloy akong nag-aaral [Whatever I achieved, I kept on studying]. Yes, I keep learning, relearning and unlearning,? And the aspiring politician quotes the 33rd president of the United States Harry S. Truman to the applause of the crowd, ?Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.?
Top photo: Rep. Manny Pacquiao (3rd from right) hands over the books to Sarangani governor Miguel Dominguez (3rd from left) in the presence of (L-R) Rico Arce of MPFI, Bob Navida of SM Foundation, Inc., Rebecca Fuellos of Children International Foundation and Bren Evangelio of MPFI.
Rep. Pacquiao addresses the crowd.
Pacquiao inspects the books.
Sarangani students come to participate in the ceremony.
Photos by Dong Secuya.
?These books are really a big help to our schools here,? says Sarangani Department of Education official Isagani de la Cruz. ?For years, the lack of books was our perennial problem. Now, we have a lot of books that go to our libraries which will surely benefit our students.?
The acquisition and distribution of books were made possible thru the efforts of SM Foundation, Children International Philippines Foundation and Manny Pacman Foundation, Inc.
Sarangani governor Miguel Dominguez was present to symbolically receive the books from Rep. Pacquiao in behalf of the province.
The book distribution was one of the highlights in a week full of activities to celebrate Pacquiao's 32nd birthday on Friday, Dec. 17 including a seed planting activity at Pacman farm in Malandag, the 3rd Cong. Pacquiao Cup shooting competition and a 6-cock Derby to be held at the MP Gymnasium in Tambler.
However, there will be nothing like Friday evening at the KCC Mall in General Santos when the Philippines most famous personalities in politics, entertainment and sports will come down to this southern conclave to celebrate the birthday of the city's most famous son, an event that many residents here describe as ?another crazy day in Gensan.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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