I was scared at first.

The ArmaLite of the escort who sat beside me rattled as the old Pajero struggled on the rough road. The hired driver accelerated through the empty highway in order to, I understand, avoid any sort of intended blockage that could climax into a robbery or kidnapping attempt. My father had even announced that he would not be coming to the consequent event, just to be sure no one would be patiently waiting for him.

Where we were going, we were unfamiliar with. Where we were going, it was better to take some necessary precautions. Zamboanga may be provincial home to me and my family, but the name Nocum still reeks of the stench of Manila (where we really live). And hereabouts, "Manila", "OFW", or "US citizen" all mean the same thing to some -- money.

However, thanks to God, we had arrived safely at our destination: Lubigan Elementary School. It is as if the fog had lifted. I was reminded of the reason I had come here, the reason KRIS Library's volunteers had braved the risks that day -- and that reason is etched in the school itself.

The buildings were very colorful -- yet old and few. The dust and the mud commingled everywhere amidst the fierce Zamboanga heat. The comfort rooms were placed farther in the back, trailed by venomous grasses and shrubs. The CR's themselves consisted of a small bowl in the floor with no flush nor sink. For a population of 300 students, only 8 heroic teachers had stood up for the job.  And what they had for a "library" was a very small compartment filled with unused children's booklets donated by USAID.

Furthermore, these students from Lubigan come from two of the poorest ethnic Muslim minorities in the Philippines -- the Yakan and the Samal.

The kids needed something -- anything -- that had to be better than this. The kids needed to go beyond and dream. Thus, KRIS Library gave them the best inducer for dreaming: books. Every story book is a new world, a treasure chest. Every encyclopaedia is the world at their fingertips. What we gave them in that day's Book Turn-Over Ceremony -- a set of World Book encyclopaedia, unused textbooks, and children's books -- would allow them to go beyond. They would allow them to read, learn, then dream.

Thanks to the patience of Teacher Nemie Chavez (who had contacted us), Principal Lilian Falcasantos, and the other school officials, the ceremony was a success. Through the messages of school and barangay officials, two amazing intermission dances, the touching book- giving, and the release of school supplies for each student, the event was highlighted by cheers, smiles, laughter, and inspiration. It would definitely be a New Year in Lubigan.

Through it all, absolutely no trace of my previous fears had remained. To be able to touch the lives of these children this season was a blessing. To be able to give to my Muslim brothers and sisters, at the dawn of a new year, is a solid step towards change.

I feared for my life, but in braving the risk, I had given life. Thank you and God bless, Lubigan Elementary School.

Two days ago, my family and I arrived here in Zamboanga City. After the long ride from the airport to the remote barangay of Manicahan, the first thing I sought to do was to behold the completed spectacle of the KRIS Library here.

Adorned with a glinting yellow parol in front, the door to the library was already open as about a dozen children were inside hovering over books and an intense game of chess. Several flew from shelf to shelf as their eyes zoomed from Science to History to Art in our simplified categories of selections. With around 10,000 books in our arsenal of learning, the smaller kids would usually pull up chairs to retrieve reading treasures shelved in nooks taller than them. And they would nestle themselves in the tables in the first floor. Going up the staircase, I smelled new varnish layered on the surface, and saw some more boxes of new books stacked in the corner. To my left was a wide space with a conference table and to my right was a busy computer room with three veiled Muslim girls chatting over their newly-made e-mail accounts. I then took a peak into a wide, clean guest room fit to be occupied by our visiting volunteers in the future. Finally, a little boy ran past me to go down to the comfort room. After he left, I checked out the two new comfort rooms for both genders whose glinting blue tiles and fixtures were kept clean for the kids. 

Today, KRIS Library - Manicahan is not just a hub of reading and learning; it is now also an internet oasis in a quiet town where our beneficiaries have at their fingertips so much instant information and so many opportunities. Today, the library is not just a library: it is a complete home -- of literacy, of joint learning, of peace.

This is the spirit of expansion displayed not only by the library there, but also by the KRIS Library organization as a whole. Including Manicahan, we now have five libraries. KRIS Library - Quezon City has been remodeled with a roof and new shelves of books to accommodate the multitude of children coming from Barangay Holy Spirit's vast slum areas. Meanwhile, the foundations for the libraries in Brgy. Tungawan and Brgy. Timbabauan (that both stand near MILF camps in Zamboanga Sibugay) have been forged. Construction will hopefully be underway in 2012. Furthermore, KRIS Library - Rizal, built in the relocation area for poor victims of Ondoy and fire incidents in Metro Manila, is up and running thanks to our partnership with several Claretian missionaries. And beyond the libraries, thousands of smiles have been sparked and a hundred minds ignited with our numerous books and school supplies distribution, and our prolific scholarship fund that has already given 101 scholarship grants from elementary to college.

Definitely, much has been done. We have taken our advocacy to new frontiers. We have reached further. And we owe it all to you.

KRIS Library, without its sponsors, media partners, volunteers, and many supporters, is nothing. Your every book, your every peso, your reaching hands have gone a long way to uplift education for thousands of children in the Philippines. You, dear KRIS warrior, have made an impact in the life of a child who could be the next Jose Rizal, Albert Einstein, or Mahatma Gandhi; you had helped us give the opportunity of a lifetime. Peace, they say, is a long, complicated process. But we believe this is a good start.

More than three years ago, my family and I arrived here in Zamboanga City. After the long ride from the airport to the town of Manicahan, the first thing I sought to do was to arrange logistics for the upcoming soft opening of KRIS Library - Manicahan. Back then, we were unsure if we could keep the advocacy running. Back then, we couldn't believe we could reach this far. But then we found out the many amazing things people go all the way for to be able to help out.

Now, I am typing from an internet-connected computer in KRIS Library-Manicahan. The place buzzes with life even as Noche Buena is a few hours away. Two of our KRIS scholars huddle between a group of younger lads and teach them the alphabet. Upstairs, veiled Muslim girls who knew nothing about computers three years ago are now expertly discovering their way online.

I have no doubt: this joyful season, KRIS Library owes itself to you, because the wishes of many children this Christmas have already come true.

God bless!

Last November 26, we were invited by the De La Salle - Zobel community, care of Ma'am Chinit Lacson of Zonta Alabang and Brother Dennis Magbanua, to participate in their Family Day. They gave us the opportunity to get in touch with students, parents, and teachers in order to introduce our advocacy. It was an exciting day! We definitely believe we have gained friends and supporters to the task of literacy and nation-building. I, personally, have been inspired by the efforts of De La Salle in reaching out to children in need; their projects range from adult night school, schools for the blind and the deaf, etc. 

Tomorrow, we are once again invited to spread the word about KRIS Library in Zonta Club of Alabang's Christmas Carnivale Bazaar to be held in Ayala Alabang. We all invite you to celebrate the joy of Christmas and bring your family to the bazaar. Part of the proceeds of their bazaar will go to KRIS Library and other good causes. Details of the bazaar are as follows:

Cuenca Court, Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City
December 16, 5pm
December 17-18, 9am – 9pm
Contact Joanne Pedrosa or Gigi Poblador @ 09472780762 / 09175342316

Hope to see you there!