The man trying to raise reading comprehension in the Philippines

Summary

In Manila, 72-year-old Hernando Guanlao has transformed his home into a free community library called the Reading Club 2000. Surrounded by thousands of donated secondhand books, he is determined to foster a love of reading in a country struggling with one of the world’s lowest comprehension rates. With many Filipino children lacking access to books due to poverty and limited educational resources, Guanlao’s open, donation-driven library has become a welcoming haven for readers of all ages. What began as a modest 50-book display decades ago has grown into a thriving community space fueled by generosity and his lifelong passion for books.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hernando Guanlao, a 72-year-old bibliophile, has turned his private home in Manila into a community library, called 'Reading Club 2000'.
• 😀 The 'Reading Club 2000' aims to combat the low reading comprehension rates in the Philippines, where students' scores are among the lowest globally.
• 😀 The Philippines ranks sixth lowest in the world for reading comprehension, as per the 2022 International Student Assessment, and also struggles with poor math and science scores.
• 😀 The low academic performance is attributed to issues such as lack of classrooms, textbooks, and teachers' heavy workloads.
• 😀 Nearly one in four Filipinos live below the poverty line, which makes access to books unaffordable for many children.
• 😀 Guanlao's library is a space for all ages and features a vast collection of secondhand books donated by the community.
• 😀 The Reading Club started over 20 years ago with just 50 books on display but has since grown significantly due to generous donations.
• 😀 The community library offers a variety of reading materials, including spiritual books, autobiographies, and hardbound works.
• 😀 Local book lover Foron Castro visits the library, emphasizing the importance of reading comprehension and access to educational resources.
• 😀 Guanlao is committed to keeping the library open as long as book donations continue to support its operation.

Q & A

What is Hernando Guanlao’s main goal with his community library?

Hernando Guanlao's main goal is to share his lifelong passion for reading and to improve reading comprehension among students in the Philippines, which has been ranked among the lowest globally.

How does the Reading Club 2000 function?

The Reading Club 2000 is a community space where books are made available for everyone to read. It started as a small display of books on the pavement and grew significantly due to book donations.

What is the significance of the name 'Reading Club 2000'?

The name 'Reading Club 2000' signifies the broad goal of making books and reading accessible to the public, especially in a country facing a learning crisis.

What challenge does the Philippines face in terms of education?

The Philippines faces a learning crisis, with some of the lowest reading comprehension, math, and science scores globally, as well as a lack of resources like classrooms, textbooks, and qualified teachers.

Why do many children in the Philippines lack access to books?

Many children in the Philippines cannot afford books because they are simply too expensive, contributing to the country's learning crisis.

What is the current state of reading comprehension among students in the Philippines?

Reading comprehension among students in the Philippines is among the lowest in the world, according to the 2022 international student assessment.

How did Guanlao’s collection of books grow over time?

Guanlao's collection grew exponentially thanks to a continuous supply of book donations from various individuals and organizations.

What role does book donation play in sustaining the Reading Club?

The Reading Club’s survival depends on the cycle of book donations. Guanlao has committed to keeping the club open as long as donations keep coming.

What are some of the factors that contribute to the poor education outcomes in the Philippines?

Experts attribute the poor educational outcomes to the lack of classrooms, textbooks, and the heavy workload on teachers, all of which hinder effective learning.

How long has Guanlao been running the Reading Club 2000?

Guanlao has been running the Reading Club 2000 for more than two decades, starting with a humble 50-book display.