The 2006 National Book Week celebration will be held from November 24 to 29 with the theme "Bata, Bata Halina't Magbasa" (Children, Come and Read).
In 1934, Frank Murphy, who was then Governor-General, issued Proclamation 696 to designate June 18-24 as National Book Week in the Philippines, noting that the birthday of national hero Jose Rizal occurred during that week. Two years later, President Manuel Quezon moved the celebration via Proclamation 109 to November 24-30, perhaps to coincide—but not quite—with the international celebration.
More recently, President Corazon Aquino designated November, through Proclamation 837 in 1991, as Library and Information Services Month, which it seems is not being observed this year because I have not seen any evidence online.
Note: It's rather ironic that the schedule of activities is available courtesy of UPLSAA, an alumni association, but not via the National Library of the Philippines, whose website has not been updated since February 2006.For those interested in the origin of this celebration, see "The History of Children's Book Week," celebrated the week before the American Thanksgiving holiday, which falls on November 23 this year. But that's for the international celebration.
In 1934, Frank Murphy, who was then Governor-General, issued Proclamation 696 to designate June 18-24 as National Book Week in the Philippines, noting that the birthday of national hero Jose Rizal occurred during that week. Two years later, President Manuel Quezon moved the celebration via Proclamation 109 to November 24-30, perhaps to coincide—but not quite—with the international celebration.
More recently, President Corazon Aquino designated November, through Proclamation 837 in 1991, as Library and Information Services Month, which it seems is not being observed this year because I have not seen any evidence online.
Note: It does not follow, of course, that just because no mention is made online that nothing is happening. But since the phrase "librarians in the 21st century" keeps getting repeated in meetings, seminars, etc., is it unreasonable to expect that information about library events will also be announced online?For the record, the text of all three proclamations is available below. Thanks to Lilia Echiverri for providing the texts.
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PROCLAMATION NO. 696
WHEREAS, the Philippine Library Association has notified this office of its purpose to celebrate a National Book Week from June 18th to June 24th of this year; and
WHEREAS, the arousing of a national interest in the reading of good books is a patriotic duty and privilege; and
WHEREAS, the time designated includes the birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal, one of the foremost men of letters of this country;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FRANK MURPHY, Governor-General of the Philippine Islands, do hereby designate the period from June 18th to June 24th of this year, and all succeeding years as the National Book Week.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the government of the Philippine Islands to be affixed.
Done at the City of Manila, this 6th day of June, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and thirty-four.
FRANK MURPHY
Governor-General
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PROCLAMATION NO. 109
Designating the period from November 24 to 30 of each year as National Book Week
WHEREAS, the reading of good books or the printed page is one of the most effective methods of bringing enlightenment within the reach of the largest possible number of people, and or promoting the cause of popular culture with its tremendous social benefits; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable that the task of arousing a wider spread interest in the reading of good books be recognized as a highly patriotic duty as well as a privilege;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Manuel L. Quezon, President of the Philippines, do hereby designate the period November 24-30 of each year beginning from nineteen hundred and thirty-seven, a National Book Week.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Commonwealth of the Philippines to be affixed.
Done in the City of Manila, this nineteenth day of November in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and thirty six and of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
By the President
(SGD.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO
Secretary of the Interior
(SGD.) MANUEL L. QUEZON
President of the Philippines
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PROCLAMATION NO. 837
DECLARING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 1991 AND EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER AS “LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES MONTH”
WHEREAS, there is a need to focus public awareness to the invaluable service that libraries and information centers render, i.e., providing data and materials for life-long knowledge and learning for research and for leisure.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the month of November 1991 and every year thereafter as “Library and Information Services Month,” under the auspices of The National Library and The National Committee on Library Information Services of the Presidential Commission on Culture and Arts.
I call upon all residents, regardless of race or creed, and the public and the private sectors to extend their full support to the observance of “Library and Information Services Month.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.
Done in the City of Manila, this 19th of November in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one.
By the President.
(SGD.) CORAZON C. AQUINO
President of the Philippines
(SGD.) FRANKLIN DRILON
Executive Secretary
Category: Events
