Joint Statement from the Philippine Board on Books for Young People and Vibal Foundation
The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) and Vibal Foundation proudly announce the establishment of the newly-appointed national section of the International Board on Books for Young People—IBBY Philippines.
The PBBY, a registered, nonprofit organization committed to the development of children’s literature in the Philippines, began as a national chapter of the International Board on Books for Young People. Through its almost four decades of existence, PBBY has continued with its many projects, being true to its mission: “every child a reader, every reader a lover of books.” PBBY is the lead agency in the celebration of National Children’s Book Day (NCBD) and has focused its attention on nurturing local children’s literature through the establishment of contests, awards, and workshops.
Every two years since 2010, PBBY has worked with the National Book Development Board in awarding the National Children’s Book Awards (NCBA), the most prestigious honor for children’s publications.
Vibal Foundation is the corporate philanthropy of Vibal Group, Inc., a Philippine educational and trade publisher. For over 17 years, Vibal Foundation’s advocacy has been to promote the love for reading with its “Open Books, Open Minds” program. The foundation regularly donates books to public libraries, holds regular storytelling and literary outreach sessions, and conducts reading campaigns in local communities and schools. It recently partnered with the Asian Festival of Children’s Content to hold the first AFCC Circle Philippines conference and workshop for Filipino teachers on developing a culture of reading in Philippine schools. Vibal Foundation is the secretariat of IBBY Philippines.
IBBY Philippines plans to set up a research library devoted to children’s literature; conduct book fairs and book exhibitions nationwide and internationally in support of Filipino writers and illustrators; organize workshops and conferences on encouraging reading and improving literacy outcomes for young people; publish a professional review of Philippine children’s literature; and support the National Book Development Board, PBBY, and other government agencies and organizations in recognizing excellence in children’s content writing, illustrations, and translations.
Together, we look forward to nurturing a genuine love for reading in Filipino children; creating more opportunities for the Philippine children’s book industry; and championing our literature on an international level.
15 JANUARY 2024
