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| (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa) |
Guided by its enduring commitment to transformative education and community development, De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) continues to expand the reach of its mission beyond the classroom. As an institution dedicated to forming minds, touching hearts, and transforming lives, DLSL remains steadfast in creating opportunities that uplift underserved sectors and strengthen the foundations of lifelong learning. Reaffirming its role as a catalyst for social transformation, the school, through its Learning Resource Center (LRC), formally turned over a collection of 800 books and educational materials to the Municipality of Tingloy in Batangas last June 18, 2026.
The donation will support the municipality's newly established Community Library and Digital Transformation Center, an initiative aimed at expanding access to knowledge for the island community's residents, particularly its youth. The turnover ceremony was attended by representatives from both institutions led by Tingloy Vice Mayor Dr. Mikee Alvarez, and by DLSL officials and library personnel including Vice Chancellor for Academics Dr. Tessie Palma and Chief Librarian Dr. Chona Chavez. Also present was DLSL Community Involvement Officer Julio Goce who expressed the institution's readiness to facilitate future collaborative programs with the local government. In her welcome remarks, Dr. Palma emphasized that the initiative reflects the institution's history of promoting literacy among partner communities. She recalled the school's previous Bookmobile Reading Program, which brought books directly to various areas to reach learners who lacked reading materials. Dr. Palma shared, "This current book donation program is incredibly relevant and closely related to that past initiative. We always want to extend assistance and service to our partner communities in whatever capacity we can." She further underscored DLSL's commitment to sustaining partnerships that contribute to community growth, expressing hope that the donated books would benefit countless children in Tingloy.
For Vice Mayor Alvarez, the establishment of the center represents the fulfillment of a deeply personal aspiration. A self-professed library enthusiast during her youth, she recognized early on the limited resources available to many children in the island municipality. Dr. Alvarez said, "This project is truly a childhood dream of mine. Living in Tingloy, I saw the limited learning resources and materials available for the growth of our youth. The Community Library will give our young people and future generations a better perspective on life and their future." Expressing gratitude to the institution, Alvarez emphasized that the donation goes beyond books and shelves, remarking, "You did not just give us books; you gave hope to our youth and our fellow citizens," noting that the facility is expected to become a valuable learning hub for generations of Tingloy residents. Beyond the immediate donation, the collaboration opens opportunities for broader engagement. Through the Community Involvement Office, the institution is exploring future programs that may involve faculty, staff, and student volunteers in literacy initiatives, capacity-building activities, and community development efforts that respond to the municipality's evolving needs.
As the books make their journey to the island municipality, they carry with them more than knowledge; they embody the Lasallian spirit of faith, service, and communion in mission. Through initiatives such as this, De La Salle Lipa continues to transform lives, empower future generations, and ensure that every learner is given the opportunity to dream, grow, and succeed.
(With words by Cristina Alfarita Larombi, De La Salle Lipa)
