Busy as beaver in October 2007

After seven months of frenzied preparation as SECRETARIAT of the Raul S. Roco Youth Achievement Awards, the highlight of the 3rd Raul S. Roco Day. The whole thing turned-out into a miracle itself.  

(Photo at the left are Mrs. Roco, Naga City Vice Mayor Gabby Bordado Jr. Mayor Jess Robredo, and the guests during the 1st Raul S. Roco Youth Achievement Awards: Atty. Lorna Kapunan, former Sen. Roco Law Associates and Aksyon Kabataan President Atty. Darwin Mariano)

Our preparation for the 3rd RAUL S. ROCO DAY became the highlights of the Raul Roco Library programs for this year. This is also the first year of the RSRYAA.

This year’s first grand prize winner of the regional search for Raul S. Roco Youth Achievement Awards is the Youth Group of Ateneo De Naga University – Pathways to Higher Education.This Youth Group has successfully initiated a reading program in the two newly organized public high schools in Naga – Leon Q. Mercado and Tinago. They develop reading modules, and hold reading sessions to fourth year high school students. The group was cited for their well-planned and project-focused advocacy in promoting the love for reading in two chosen schools, TinagoHigh School and LeonQ.MercadoHigh School, fourth year students, writing and reading modules fitted for their level and interest. Inspired by Raul S. Roco’s being an avid reader, thus a great leader, Pathways acted admirably on the great importance reading plays in the educations of the youth.

Other winning youth organizations that were awarded - the Society of Junior Fellows of Unversity of Nueva Caceres, Naga City, Ateneo Eagles for Environment of Ateneo De Naga, Naga City. University, Damayan Network of Bicol University, Legazpi City, Youth Community Service Club of Sorsogon State College, Sorsogon City and a special recognition for Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Universidad De Santa Isabel.

In the morning of the occassion, Senator's widow. Sonia Roco and ABS-CBN Regional Manager Amy Villafuerte hold storytelling session to 100 preschoolers together with JOLLIBEE . The MABUHAY SINGERS  presents “ HARANA NG PUSO, alay para ki Raul S. Roco at the Universidad De Santa Isabel Auditorium to end the celebration.

  (Photo at the left: me, the guests Mr. Neric Acosta, R. Magsaysay Awardee Eugenia Apostol, Mrs. Roco, my staff: che, randy, jess, and allan during the 2nd RAul S. Roco Day)

First Raul Roco Day

Every 26th of October, Naga City celebrates Raul S. Roco Day to paid tribute to the historical contributions of Raul S. Roco, for his outstanding performance as a legislator in Congress, a reformist Education Secretary and as one of the best leader that Naga City has ever produced.  On its first celebration in 2005, the Naga City Public Library was renamed as Raul S. Roco Library and housed his collections of books and memorabilia

This year, the highlight of the celebration is the awarding of the 1st Raul S. Roco Youth Achievement Awards - Best Bicolano Youth Group together with the concert of  the Mabuhay Singers at the St. Vincent de Paul Auditorium of the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary. To pomp up the celebrations,  a bookfair/exhibit by the National Books Store and storytelling sessions by Jollibee. The event is a joint undertaking between the city government of Naga and the Raul S. Roco Foundation.

For all the Bikolanos who were inspired by Senator Roco, come to Naga on his birthday. Let us plant the seeds of hope.

Naga public librarian's conference after 1972

The last time the public librarians hold its conference in Naga was in 1972, and this year, it was made possible trough the leadership of Fe Requilman of Baguio City Library. Despite the transition period of the newly elected local officials, 73 public librarians were able to attend the three-day workshop held at Villa Caceres in Naga City last July 10-12. Issues on local materials and archival arrangement, selection and promotion were discussed.

Resource speakers and trainers include Dr. Danilo Gerona from Ateneo de Naga University, Gloria Bernales from the Records Management and Archives Office, Maria Teresa S. Bondoc, from the Legislative Reference Bureau of the Senate of the Philippines, Dir. Marianito D. Maandal from the Records Division of Malacañang, Sr. Rita Ferraris of RVM Mother House, and Raidis J. Bassig, Chief, Planning Division of Intramuros.

Funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Naga’s seminar would not be possible without the expertise of fellow librarians Lyn Nabus, Chief Librarian of Marikina City, Librarians Ana Puno of Quezon City Public Library and Helen Grace Cacho of Manila City Public Library. The seminar ends with a tour in Albay hosted by the Naga City Government.