The PHILCOM Center-NJ formally opened its "Read Philippines" corner on Saturday, 01 March 2003 in response to the Philippine Consulate General's call to replicate the "Read Philippines" project. The opening ceremony was led by PHILCOM Center President, Mrs. Louisiana Manuel and Consul General Linglingay F. Lacanlale together with officers of the Philippine Consulate General, officers and members of the Philippine Community Center Foundation of NJ, Inc. and leaders of the FilAm community attending. A good number of books, journals, newspapers and other informative materials on the Philippines made up the collection of "Read Philippines" at the Community Center.
Mrs. Manuel acknowledged the importance of the project in strengthening the cultural ties of the Filipinos to the motherland. She was particularly interested in attracting young Filipino Americans to visit the Center and learn more about their roots.
Consul General Lacanlale commended PHILCOM Center-NJ for adopting the project and making it an important component of the Center's community services. "It is our objective that Filipino-Americants replicate 'Read Philippines' in their respective communities so that information and materials about the Philippines could be made accessible to a greater number of Filipinos, particularly to young Filipino Americans," Consul General Lacanlale said.
Since the launching of "Read Philippines" the Philippine Consulate has received numerous requests from Filipino-American students to put up "Read Philippines" corners in the libraries of their respective schools. "For Filipinos who were born and have lived most of their lives in the United States, identity and discovering their cultural heritage are important issues to them. I am therefore, inviting students, their parents and organizations to adopt the project in their communities. We, as parents have the capacity to reinforce our children's desire to learn and nurture our rich cultural heritage," the Consul General added.
"Read Philippines" is now open at Elmhurst Public Library in Queens. A "Read Philippines" corner will also be opened on 29 March 2003 at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut. This will be followed by openings in April in Passaic High School Library and Five-Corners Library located in New Jersey and Jersey City, respectively.
To know more about "Read Philippines", please visit the website, www.pcgny.net or call (212) 764-1330 ext. 310 (Agnes Tuazon) or ext. 601 (Carissa Villacorta).
Official website of the Philippine Consulate General in New York. Web content is designed and maintained by the Consulate.