Book Nook - HCCCI - Surallah

Storytime At Book Nook Surallah!

Our kindergarten learners were all eyes and ears as they immersed themselves in today’s storytelling session—listening with excitement, imagining new worlds, and enjoying every moment of the story. Truly, reading brings magic to every child’s day!

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐍𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥

Book Nook Surallah successfully held the second session of the Hibla Lokal 2025 Cultural Learning Activity on September 27, 2025, at the HCCCI College Library. The event was supported by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) through its nationwide Book Nook Program—a grant initiative that continues to empower children by expanding their access to meaningful cultural and literacy experiences.

In partnership with Surallah Central Elementary School (SCES), the activity welcomed Grade 6 students from the advisory class of Ma’am Cherry Susbilla, with the support of Principal Richard S. Celo, who ensured the active participation of his pupils. The program showcased the deep connection between literature, culture, and child development while emphasizing the role of schools, libraries, and communities in creating a more inclusive learning environment.

The program opened with a warm orientation led by the Book Nook Surallah personnel, who introduced participants to the Book Nook resources. Mariel C. Dalipe, LPT, from the HCCCI Basic Education Department, served as the program host, maintaining the flow of activities in an engaging and lively manner. Arnelyn B. Antonio facilitated the storytelling session, which featured selections from the Book Nook collection that reflected the everyday realities, traditions, and aspirations of Filipino children.

The featured book for this session was War Makes Me Sad by Mary Ann Ordinario-Floresta, illustrated by Biboy Blu, and published by ABC Educational Development Center in 2018. This bilingual (English–Filipino) picture book is told through the eyes of a young child living amid the conflict between Muslim and Christian communities in Mindanao. Its innocent yet poignant narration captures fear, loss, and disruption, while conveying a strong yearning for peace, understanding, and compassion.

The storytelling was followed by the Peace Art Shop Workshop: Gunita ng Kapayapaan, where students expressed their thoughts and aspirations for peace through poster-making. Using bond paper, crayons, and markers, they created drawings and symbols of harmony, unity, and hope, later sharing the meaning of their artwork with the group. The posters were displayed on a symbolic “Wall of Peace”, serving as a reminder of their collective commitment to peace.

Supplementary books such as Ang Batang Ayaw sa Gulo by Segundo Matias Jr. reinforced the session’s themes of unity and conflict resolution.
Throughout the program, the support of volunteers from HCCCI Gunita: A Book Lovers Club was invaluable. Major officers Mark Angelo B. Dizon, Joylyn M. Nuñez, and Maria Fernanda C. Toledo assisted in organizing activities and guiding participants, while Claris P. Anating, Head of the House of Silang, and Ronniel S. Casiro, Head of the House of Luna, ensured the smooth implementation of the art workshop. To guarantee the safety and well-being of the students, Rose Anne Marsha G., Mission HCCCI Assistant Nurse, was present to monitor their health and provide support when needed.

Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Hibla Lokal 2025 addressed multiple global targets. By promoting literacy and cultural understanding, it advanced SDG 4: Quality Education (Target 4.7). Lessons on proper food handling and maintaining a safe environment supported SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being (Target 3.4). The integration of heritage and storytelling upheld SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities (Target 11.4), while the participatory format that encouraged children’s reflections exemplified SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (Target 16.7). Furthermore, by providing free and equal access to SCES learners regardless of background, the activity embodied SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities (Target 10.2).

The session concluded with quiet reading time, closing reminders, and words of gratitude from the facilitators. The children left with new stories, artwork, and reflections that connected literacy with peace and empathy.

This second session of Hibla Lokal 2025 not only nurtured a genuine love for reading but also fostered critical thinking, empathy, and creativity. By weaving storytelling, art, and cultural awareness into a unified learning experience, the program inspired children to become champions of peace and identity in their own communities. The “Wall of Peace” now stands as a testament to their shared voices—a powerful reminder that through books, art, and collective imagination, we can build a kinder and more united society.

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐍𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: 𝐀 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲

Book Nook Surallah, in partnership with the National Book Development Board (NBDB), officially launched Hibla Lokal 2025 on September 26, 2025, at the HCCCI Basic Education Campus. This annual community literacy program continues to serve as a joyful celebration of reading, culture, and creativity under this year’s theme, “Reading the Future.” The first session of Hibla Lokal 2025 welcomed young learners from the National Child Development Center (NCDC) Libertad, who experienced a day filled with storytelling, cultural learning, and hands-on creativity—all designed to bring books and Filipino values to life.

The storytelling sessions were led by Claris Parcon Anating, a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education student, who brought to life Lumpia Lane by Caitlin C. Wu and Grace D. Chong. Adding color to the day, the Book Lovers Club Officers of the HCCCI Basic Education Department performed a role play of Dako Nga Yahong sang Batchoy by Jennie Arado, captivating the children with laughter, energy, and cultural pride. The group was led by their President, Hershey S. Gumacal, alongside Julia Marie Posada, Kathlyn Canionera, Nathan De Leon, Jerome F. Siva, Gian G. Trespeces, Louise Gold Jamero, Jade Dominique Supangan, Kyan Del Rosario Satur, Kylle Matahali, Kirstine Dacutanan, and Lorraine Gabriel Orleans.

True to the Book Nook spirit of experiential learning, the second half of the program introduced a fun, food-based literacy activity titled “Piliin ang Tamang Sangkap ng Lumpia.” Children identified correct ingredients, promoting critical thinking and vocabulary enrichment. They then enjoyed a hands-on lumpia-making session, symbolizing the connection between reading, creativity, and everyday life.

Through Hibla Lokal 2025, Book Nook Surallah advances several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 4 on Quality Education, SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions—demonstrating how literacy, health, and culture intersect to strengthen communities. For Book Nook Surallah, Hibla Lokal is more than a literacy project—it is a movement that empowers children to read, imagine, and dream within the context of their own culture. Each story read and each lumpia wrapped reminds them that books hold the power to build empathy, identity, and a shared sense of community. Together with NBDB, Book Nook Surallah continues to bring the joy of reading closer to every Filipino child, because every child deserves to see themselves in the stories they read.