By Crisdeniele H. Clemente

Students and faculty of Mariano Marcos State University, and representatives from the US Embassy in the Philippines convened at the American Corner (AC) - Batac today, September 6, to celebrate the International Literacy Day. 

Themed, ‘Promoting Literacy for a World in Transition: Building the Foundation for Sustainable and Peaceful Societies,’ the celebration was graced by Ms. Pauline Anderson, the embassy’s deputy public engagement grant officer. She said the link between US Embassy and MMSU contributes to enhancing literacy in this part of the country. She further hoped the AC in Batac, one of the only 14 ACs in the Philippines, would allow university stakeholders to find literacy solutions and opportunities. Ms. Anderson was joined by Ms. Jennifer Anne Pascua, program coordinator of American Spaces Philippines. 

Ms. Eliza G. Villarin, director of university library system, thanked the US Embassy officials for their unwavering support. 

Prof. Ryan Roi B. Domingo, the university’s chief of language center, also shared his intercultural experiences in America, having been a Fulbright language teaching assistant at Skyline College, California from 2022 to 2023. 

“Today reminds us to look at literacy as a solution to improve the quality of education worldwide,” he emphasized. Further, some English language students shared their ideas in enhancing the literacy status in the Philippines. 

The International Literacy Day in MMSU was organized by the MMSU University Library System, in cooperation with American Spaces Philippines. (HLY/JVBT/DPT, StratCom)