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Pinoy Abroad

UAE-based Pinoy musician puts up community library in Sorsogon


A Filipino musician in the United Arab Emirates has set up a community library in his hometown Matnog in Sorsogon in the Bicol region.

In putting up the library, he believes he is doing the right thing for the children in his hometown.

"I'm just doing what is right. The basic things and straightforward. I hope and pray our kids will become  good persons," said Ronald Galvez, 42, a graphic communications manager of the Al-Futtaim Group LLC, in an online interview last Friday.

The Old Library. Photo by Ronald Galvez
Photo by Ronald Galvez

 

"It is also tribute to my father," he added, referring to his dad Sanny Galvez, who had been a board member of the National Press Club of the Philippines, and a journalist for 50 years.

The younger Galvez admitted that as a child he did not read books as much as his father expected him to.

"Hindi ako mahilig magbasa  pero mahilig ako makinig sa mga real-life experiences niya," the Dubai-based OFW who had led 17 community projects in the Muslim country recounted.

"Lumaki siya (his father) sa Tondo and started his career as stenographer. One time he told me that if [I] want to succeed in life, [I] have to read books every day. Siya lagi nagpu-push sa akin," Ronald said.

The library, which Galvez named "The Old Town Library" is housed in a small building and is open to the public during weekends.

"It's within the vicinity sa lote namin, which is two kilometers away from the central school and five kilometers from the national high school [campus]."

He also visualizes it to eventually become a nursery school or training center, where he could put up an exhibit of some of his father's news articles, achievements, and encouraging words.

"I'm still communicating with my friends to support by sending their donations directly addressed to the library" administration. —LBG, GMA News

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