Uhaj Ifugao Book Donation Drive

Last September 20, 2014 despite the typhoon Luis raging in Northern Luzon. Berdeng Karungan together with Baguio community volunteers has proceeded to Uhaj, Ifugao to deliver more than 1,000 books for the community.

Berdeng Karunungan is a non-governmental

organization headed by ABS-CBN news anchorman Dhobie De Guzman.

Community volunteers Jason Quema a professional videographer and photographer who volunteered to gather books in Metro Manila and Baguio City, Calypso Alaia, Ivy Buenaobra, artist musician Job Vezh, and Gemma Mallillin proceeded to Ifugao to deliver the books.

The project was the brainchild of Santos Bayucca, he is an artist and at the same time a known Japanese soldiers World war II bone collector .

He was the one who helped set up the community in Uhaj, Ifugao.

He created a building that he envisioned would someday encase the artifacts from World War II, while at the same time creating a library that can be used by the people of Uhaj.

Despite the many technological advancements, Uhaj Ifugao and neighboring towns have yet to receive funding for books especially textbooks.

During the community visit, the teachers in Uhaj have reported that they are in need of books, school materials and computer desktops in order to help increase the quality of learning that they can provide to children especially in a highly technological work.

A call out has been made by Jason Quema and Ivy Buenaobra in social networks, with regards to encouraging more people to donate books and desktops for the community.

By building libraries all over the Cordilleras, we can help in advancing the knowledge and awareness as well as the skills of the people. We also help revive the value of reading and expanding wisdom. Berdeng Karunungan along with other volunteers is set to do more book drive projects for the Barrio in the coming months.

The new library installed will be called Kabunyan Community Library Museum and Arts Center and will have a grand opening on October 25, 2014.

Berdeng Karunungan together with Santos Bayucca and Uhaj community are hoping for more support coming from Baguio residents and nearby towns to help fulfill the vision of the place.

Volunteers can also provide workshops for the children in the community.

Santos Bayucca together with his children and community members, are also envisioning that they would be able to create a Tradition of Living Arts Center in Ifugao to help preserve the unique identity of the place.

Photo Credits: Jason Quema

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