PROUD YET HUMBLED
I took a last look at Rizal Elementary School Library as I went out of the school’s gate. I was overjoyed from the inside out, proud yet humbled for the opportunity given to me and other travel bloggers.
A DREAM COME TRUE
Three days ago, I was in tears as the kids cut the ribbon of the newly built and furnished library in Rizal Elementary School. I can’t believe that a small group of bloggers and friends can do such work after I blogged about Travel With A Purpose: Book Sharing Project 2 months ago . DepEd and the Alumni pitched in and what we saw that day was a dream come true- A Bayanihan Library, built not with lots of money or under the name of a particular politician, but with heart and soul.
That Friday, September 14, we gathered together and started the day by reading some books to the kids inside their classrooms. Volunteers from the Book Sharing Project spent an hour teaching the students of Rizal Elementary School before we finally did the turn-over ceremony in the afternoon.
I bet everyone who joined the trip were happy and elated to be witnessing such a life-changing event. If you can only see the kids running towards the library’s wooden windows and take a peek of what’s inside you would find yourself teary-eyed too. They were happy and all cheers! They were excited to finally take a hand of the new books inside their library. Mind you, the school has been there for more than 50 years and this is the first time they will be having a school library.
Because most from the group are travel bloggers, we opted to make the walls of the library filled with photos from all-over the Philippines. This would also serve as a learning aid for visual-learners.
One was interviewed and told that she can now do research easier with the help of more than one book reference. The school principal, Sir Aldrin Estipona, was full of gratitude as he coordinated the turn-over ceremony together with our partner, Emelyn Balabat, an Alumna trying to give back to her alma mater. She even recounts her experience during college when she first stepped inside a library.
BOOK SHARING TEAM
We were exactly 37 in the group all came from a 13-hour bus ride from Manila. Diksyonaryo Atpb. led by Lia del Castillo partnered with the group as they celebrate the Literacy Month of Spetember. Travelers from Pinoy Travel Bloggers and some of their readers came too. In the afternoon, a crew from TV 5 came to cover the event.
TV5 FEATURE
You can watch the feature made by Camille Abadicio of TV5 below:
ONE OF MY HIGHLIGHTS AS A TRAVEL BLOGGER
Personally, it was a memorable experience in my career as a full-time travel blogger. Never did I think that I will come this far. I was thanking God for the opportunity of inviting others while inspiring the youth. Working with these passionate individuals is one of the highlights of my year. One even said, “Marami na akong nagawang mali sa buhay ko; ngayon naman kahit minsan gumawa ako ng tama.” (I have done a lot of stupid things in my life; today I want a redemption, to do something right for a change). At least five in the group are celebrating their birthdays during the week. They chose to give back instead of doing the usual birthday party in an over-priced restaurant in Manila.
POSITIVITY
This happening in the Philippine travel scene right now, I’m hopeful and positive that travelers will change the world, one community at a time. This might be a small success, but the seeds that we planted that day at Rizal Elementary School in Gubat, Sorsogon will be forever in the hearts of more than 300 students of the school. I just imagine 1% from then paying it forward, then Gubat will be a better place in the future right?
As for me, I guess I would do this kind of travel more often- VOLUNTOURISM. Don’t worry, I would let you know of ways how you can join. I thank everyone who supported the Book Sharing Project. I always believe that travelers has changed and will continue to change the world. Here’s to more projects in the future, cheers!
To Rizal Elementary School, I rejoice with you! I hope and pray that you would maximize the use of the library. I hope you enjoyed our gift.
To all my readers and friends, Rejoice with me. Let’s inspire the youth and make history.
Ending this post with a quote from Garrison Keillor, “A book is a gift you can open again and again.”
___ ___ ___
You can also read what other bloggers say about the event last Sepetember 13-17:
Claire’s The Library Born from the Love of Travelers and Community
Christine’s Book Sharing Project Update
Leon’s The Sorsogon Book Sharing Project: Changing Lives, One Page at a Time
Marky’s The Kid’s of Gubat, Sorsogon Decides to Read
Emm’s The Great Bayanihan Project- A dream come true!
Thanks again friends, followers, fellow bloggers, Diksyonaryo atbp, TV 5, R.O.X. and Runner’s Circle.

Good jobs James!
Maraming bata ang napasaya at natulungan nyo sa project na ito!
Makasama na sana ako next time! 😉
yes, sana nga makasama kana next time.
I’m so proud of you for this! Let’s do this more often. We must aim at transforming travel from leisure to changing lives, one at a time. 😊
why not? more voluntourism projects!
Congratulations, James! You guys were amazing! And I feel honored to have witnessed the fruit of all your hard work. =)
thanks for coming and blogging about the project 🙂
Thank you again for letting us at Diksyonaryo Atbp be part of this project! There’s still so much to be done, so many places to visit, so many children to meet and help. This project is a great start, and as long as we each do our part, I’m sure we can do more. With people like you and like everyone who volunteered and donated their time, effort, and resources for this project, I have absolutely no doubt that we can start a change. Kudos to everyone! 🙂
thanks Nek and DA for joining this project. hope there will be more collabs in the future
Good job James for leading the charge for us PTB people. Will definitely join the next one.
thanks for getting on board pre! here’s to more projects!
GOOD job WELL done James 🙂
its not me, its the readers and followers of the blog
Seeing you all in this laudable project for the kids in Sorsogon will reap a thousand fold and their future relies heavily on your selfless devotion to their future and your great contribution to the furtherance of sustained educational opportunities and for securing a favorable future.
These pupils will forever remember this day you all came to Sorsogon and that, they will forever be indebted to your kindness.
Kudos to those of you who went out of your way to be here. 🙂
i hope you get on board bosing on the next project come 2013. 🙂
thanks po sa opportunity:)
Looking forward for more life changing projects:)
see you again on the next project arisse!
Job well done James! I rejoice with you and with the school! I hope and pray that you´ll have more projects like this in the future and hope to be of help no matter how small, too. And hope that I can join you and the others in a future project once I go home.:) God bless and more power.
thanks julai! i really hope we can find the next worthy beneficiary next year
Hi James, galing naman! Sana makasama ako 1 time sa ganyang activity.
thanks Red! just keep posted on the blog. i have something like this by december