Alden Richards surprises students in Pasig with book reading experience

Alden Richards surprised students of Palatiw Elementary School in Pasig City with a book reading experience.

According to Aubrey Carampel's report on "24 Oras" Thursday, Asia's Multimedia Star visited the school to promote his advocacy for education and encourage kids to make reading a habit.

"The field of education kasi madaming facets, hindi lang siya about going to school. There are a lot of facets when it comes to encouraging kids to read, to write, I mean to do all the old school stuff kasi parang at some point, for some reason, naiiwan na siya eh," he said.

To motivate the students to foster good reading habits and introduce them to Mindanaoan heritage, Alden read them the children's book "Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug," written by GMA Integrated News anchor Nelson Canlas.

Alden wasn't there as a celebrity. He came as a proud Filipino. He wanted to spark something that could outlast the moment: A love for books, and a pride in being Filipino.

Chef Miggy Cabel Moreno was also present at the reading to do a live cooking demo of Putli Mandi, a traditional Tausug dessert made of glutinous rice, coconut, and sugar. 

As the dessert steamed, Alden spoke to the kids about how reading can change their lives, about how books are magic.   

Aside from the book reading activity and his showbiz commitments, Alden is also helping organize a charity fun run, called "Lights, Camera, Run! Takbo Para sa Pelikulang Pilipino," for the Movie Works Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), of which he is a board member.

Alden shared they are happy about the performance of the event's registration, adding that a lot of people are willing to support the charity fun run. It will be held on May 11 at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

"I'm very excited to announce na andaming mga kaibigan ko sa industriya ang sasama sa 'tin dito, pero isusurpresa ko kung sinu-sino sila," he added.

Despite his busy schedule, Alden also noted that he prioritizes purpose in everything he does.

"If you set your priorities properly and with the way I live my life right now, you put purpose first before anything else, everything else follows. Always keep your faith and si Lord na bahala sa lahat," he said.

—with reports from Nelson Canlas/CDC, GMA Integrated News