Vibal Publishing House, Inc. joins the nation in the celebration of the National Children's Book Day (NCBD) with a book launching, storytelling, and giving away of story and activity books to thousands of children nationwide. The annual NCBD is held every third Tuesday of July in commemoration of the publication of Dr. Jose Rizal's “Ang Pagong at ang Matsing” found in the July 1889 issue of Trubner's Oriental Record in London.

Book Launching
LG&M, the imprint of Vibal Publishing for its children's storybook line, launched three titles at the NCBD celebration organized by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) at the Museo Pambata.

Ang Sampung Bukitkit. Written by Eugene Evasco and illustrated by Ibarra Crisostomo, the book playfully details the adventures of ten winged seeds as they visit different places getting a lift now and then with the help of the wind.

Mousy Goes to Vigan. Written by Vicky Veloso-Barrera and illustrated by Hubert Fucio, this book gives children a glimpse of what to see and experience in the city that has made it to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Ang Kamisetang Dilaw. Written by Genaro Gojo-Cruz and illustrated by Eladio Avellanosa, this story is about Joey’s favorite shirt which is not his. Find out if Joey gets a chance to realize his simple dream of owning his favorite shirt.

SM Supermalls' Simultaneous Storytelling
Vibal once again partnered with SM Supermalls in the celebration of the NCBD. Organized by SM Committee on Youth and Children's Welfare, a simultaneous book reading, storytelling and other educational activities were conducted in 37 SM Malls nationwide. Vibal and LG&M distributed story and activity books to children who came to SM for the event.

The main event took place at SM Megamall where the representatives of the event sponsors Department of Education, National Book Development Board, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Vibal Publishing House Inc. were present together with SM Supermalls officials.

SM Committee on Youth and Children's Welfare Chairperson Royston Cabunag welcomed guests, teachers and children, proudly sharing that SM has gone beyond shopping, entertainment and leisure, but has now taken affirmative action in being instrumental especially in caring for children.

Dr. Vilma Labrador, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Programs and Projects talked on the importance of reading. She said that “being able to read is a gift of knowledge that can never be taken away from you.”

The highlight of the event is the storytelling sessions where celebrities Lyn Ching-Pascual with daughter Gabby and Lance Raymundo told the stories of Yummy Fly Pie and Mahiwagang Kamiseta respectively. Both books were published by LG&M under Chikiting Books trademark.

SM's NCBD celebration also included the giving away of storybooks to children present and the formal turn-over of 30,000 copies of brand new books to 300 DepEd schools nationwide.