26/11/2025
๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐๐ง๐ข๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐: ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ซ๐๐ซ๐ฒ
A once quiet corner with flat white walls of Quezon Hill Elementary School (QHES) has been transformed into a vibrant reading sanctuary that bursts with lively murals and cozy reading corners as Mayor Benjamin Magalong, LINKS Building Bridges for Children, Inc., and the Department of Education-Schools Division of Baguio City formally launched the 27th Hooked on Books (HOB) Library on November 25, 2025.
The ceremonial turnover was led by LINKS PH co-founder and president Maria Consuelo โNingningโ Doble, Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Chief Education Supervisor Nino Tibangay, representing Dr. Soraya Faculo of SDO Baguio City, School Principal Maria Palsi, and School Library In-Charge Amy B. Macedonio. They were joined by DepEd officials, including Juliet Piok, Senior Education Program Specialist; Armi Victoria Fiangaan, Education Program Supervisor in English; Lourdes Lomas-e, District 7 Public Schools District Supervisor; and head of the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) Baguio City, Darryl Kim Longid.
The event also recognized the invaluable presence of the SPTA officers headed by Anna Rose U. Mayhay, faculty members, selected learners, and the LINKS PH board and core members and volunteers, as well as LGU representatives whose dedication drives the HOB mission.
In his message, Benjie Magalong - Public Servant underscored the crucial role of reading in nurturing intelligence, talent, and leadership. โWhen you develop knowledge, you also develop communities,โ he said.
The program concluded on a warm and imaginative note with a storytelling session.
In the days leading up to the launch, the QHES community buzzed with activity. Starting November 22, volunteers transformed the space through mural painting, book sorting, and a series of student and community workshops.
This includes the ๐๐ฉ๐ช๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐ง๐ ๐จ๐๐ค๐ฅ where the learners shared their reading habits and challenges in an open and supportive dialogue facilitated by volunteers; the ๐๐ฉ๐ค๐ง๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐ง๐ ๐จ๐๐ค๐ฅ, where each child turned wordless illustrations into an original story, developing confidence in writing, creativity, and self-expression; the ๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐ค๐ง๐ ๐จ๐๐ค๐ฅ that helped learners build spontaneity, communication skills, and collaborative spirit through theater arts; the ๐ผ๐ง๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐ง๐ ๐จ๐๐ค๐ฅ that made learners explore colors, shapes, and imagination, creating artworks that now bring life to the new reading space, the ๐๐ค๐ค๐ ๐๐ค๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ง๐ ๐จ๐๐ค๐ฅ where school officers engaged in values formation, leadership reflection that helped them shape a shared vision of positive change within the school community. Lastly, the ๐พ๐ค๐ข๐ข๐ช๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐ง๐ ๐จ๐๐ค๐ฅ that brought together parents, teachers, and community leaders and emphasized the shared responsibility for sustaining the HOB Library and aiding in addressing the reading gap in the country.
As the door of the 27th HOB library opens to the learners of Quezon Hill Elementary School, the space stands not just as a room full of books but as a room representing the unbreakable Filipino spirit of ๐ฃ๐ข๐บ๐ข๐ฏ๐ช๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ and the hope of making every Quezonian an independent reader.
This library stands as a symbol of community engagement, where a nonprofit organization, government, private partners, parents, teachers, and volunteers joined together for a common purpose of creating a meaningful space for knowledge to thrive and learners to be empowered.
We would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the many hands that made the HOB Library possible.
We thank the LINKS Philippines Core, Board Members, volunteers, and private partners for their commitment and generosity. Your unwavering dedication and passion laid the foundation for this meaningful project.
To the volunteer artists, we are grateful for the vibrant murals and paintings that brought life, color, and inspiration to our library. Thank you for going above and beyond in your mission to bring the gift of reading to every community.
To the Local Government Unit of Baguio City, thank you for your continuous and unwavering support to every school project.
To the Public Order & Safety Division - City of Baguio for showing the true essence of public service. Your strong hands and hard work in making necessary repairs not just in the library but also to the school fence and classroom roof ensure the safety and security of our learners.
To SLU Prime Movers Society and the Junior Social Workers Association of the Philippines, thank you for making time in facilitating an engaging and impactful student workshop, as well as in the preparation of the library.
To the SPTA Officers, for generously extending their time to assist with refreshments, registration, and book sorting. Your support ensured a smooth and welcoming opening.
To our faculty members, your creativity and collaborative spirit made this vision of creating a space that inspires curiosity and imagination a reality.
To the local community and our partner organizations, your cooperation and involvement strengthened this endeavor and brought us closer together.
And finally, to all the individual and family donors, thank you for your generosity in sharing cash, books, and other resources.
All your contributions will benefit our learners for years to come. May you be blessed with continued joy, fulfillment, and abundance.
DepEd Tayo Baguio City
