A Day of Books, Smile, and Heartwarming Moments at SOS Children’s Village Davao

Last March 8, 2025, I had the privilege of joining the DavaoBloggers Society (DBS) for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program at SOS Children’s Village Davao. It was a meaningful day filled with laughter, learning, and a shared love for books and community.

With the help of Big Bad Wolf Books, we donated 300 books to the children of SOS Davao. This generous contribution aimed to encourage the kids to fall in love with reading and spark their imagination through storytelling.

One of the highlights of the event, at least for me, was being part of the book reading segment. I read the classic Filipino tale of “Ibong Adarna.” To be honest, I was hesitant at first. I’ve never considered myself a great storyteller, and let’s face it, “Ibong Adarna” is in deep Tagalog! I was so afraid I’d mispronounce something or get the flow wrong. But thankfully, I had a supportive friend who kept cheering me on and assuring me that I could do it. That small encouragement made a big difference.

What truly made the experience even more special was the kids’ enthusiastic participation during my storytelling session. They listened intently, reacted with curiosity, and even answered some questions about the story. I ended up enjoying the entire experience more than I expected. Connecting with the children through literature was such a heartwarming moment I’ll never forget.

Of course, this beautiful day wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing efforts of the Davao Bloggers Society officers, who organized everything flawlessly. We were also blessed with the support of kind-hearted sponsors who made sure every child went home not only with stories in their hands but also essentials for their families. 

A big thank you to: 

- DM&A Co. and Home Credit for providing groceries and toys.

- The DBS members, who pitched in to ensure that every household received a sack of rice.

- Hop Inn Hotels, who generously provided a room for storage and preparations.

- foodpanda, our official food provider, who offered a delicious lunch prepared by Mamastill.

- SM Supermalls, for donating 10 boxes of bottled water.

- Red Ribbon, for bringing joy through 150 assorted cake slices.

- International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IPI), for promoting cleanliness with their donations of Bioderm soaps.

It was a collective effort that truly showed how much can be accomplished when people come together with a shared purpose.

Looking back, I’m grateful I pushed through with my part of the storytelling program. Volunteering at SOS Children’s Village Davao wasn’t just about giving back; it was about connecting, learning, and growing together. I walked away from the event with a fuller heart, inspired by the joy of the children and the generosity of everyone involved. Here’s to more moments like this.  

 

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