It is summer time once again, and our wonderful Philippine islands are awash in bright, sunlit days and balmy nights--luring tourists from way afar, and from within our very own shores, for rest and recreation.

It is indeed an interesting thing to observe the movements of human life and activities. On one hand, one can see droves of urbanite travelers in search of places to unwind and relax their overworked minds and bodies. On the other, there are the languid rural dwellers, waiting in earnest for the excitement and vigor, that visitors from other lands and lifestyles, bring to their provinces at this time of the year.

Nonetheless, quite frequently in recent times, I find myself in the midst of student discussions, if not debates, on the issue on whether the Philippines can make it as a first world country in 20 years, or less. For many of my students the imagery that the term “first world” brings is a world ensconced in progress, affluence, and perhaps, even ultimate economic world power.

Truth be told, time has been passing by quite rapidly since we first discussed this matter a few semesters ago, and I do wonder if our country is anywhere near achieving this goal soon. Nowadays, many organizations are indeed engaged in nation-building. Passionate Filipinos have taken the challenge to task—to help make our country a first-world country in twenty years, or sooner, if that is all possible.

It is quite uncanny, that even as I found myself discussing the topic in the classroom with my students, my own life’s paths would lead me onto a journey that would compel me to do my own share, to make this challenge and aspiration, a reality.

Last December 2006, I had an unexpected and unplanned invitation to join my sister in Iloilo for a business trip. While she was off for her molecular biology and chemistry conference, she left my parents and I to entertain ourselves in the city. But the lure of greater adventure took hold of me and I decided to grab the opportunity to visit Guimaras island—the land where my “yaya-s” come from—and surprise them with a visit. It had been about 15 years since I last saw them!

That journey led me to visiting the Sta. Teresa National High School too, when all I wanted to do that morning was take a ride on a carabao. But the carabao left me, afraid perhaps that my weight might crush him to death. And so, I ended up taking a walk with the niece of our helper, to her school. There I met the principal Mrs. Norma Tanaleon, and learned about the conditions of public high schools in our provinces—foremost of which was the fact that they never had a library in their 33 years of existence! That realization led me to organize, through the support of our Rizal Library Director, Mrs. Lourdes David, a very successful book drive for their school where I met so many kindred spirits--strangers who have turned into friends, who all wanted to generously help bridge the knowledge gap between Manila and the island.

As if the realizations from the 2006 experience were not difficult enough, by December 2007, during the inauguration of the new Sta. Teresa National High School library, many more other schools principals sounded off the need for their own libraries too in their respective schools. Indeed, it seemed a “mission field” had opened up for me, for who was I to turn away from the compulsion to help those most in need? Less than 10% of our public schools in the Philippines are reported to have inadequate school libraries! That is, if they even have any at all!

Hence, last month, more than just wondering if our country can ever be a first world country, I decided that am taking more concrete, personal action! My response is to race against time in making it a goal worth fighting for! I decided to join Acts of Hope for the Nation (AHON) Foundation, Inc. -- a non-profit organization that aims to bring books and children together by helping develop public school libraries nationwide!

I do realize now the reality of the saying that the "harvest is plenty but the laborers" are few. Thus far AHON is a 5-person team. Our dreams are big and our passions are greater...and we hope to meet and work with lots more people who want to help make our dreams a reality.

But more than our own dreams, we want to make the dreams of our millions of young Filipino children a reality too! Perhaps even just one (hopefully, brand new!) book from each of us will be all it takes to bring them closer to the fulfillment of their dreams. =)

Let’s journey together, this summer and thereafter, to make the Philippines a first world country! Even if it takes just one public school library at a time! For more info on AHON Foundation, please visit http://ahonfoundation.multiply.com, and http://ahonfoundation.blogspot.com. The sites are still in progress but there may be enough materials to look at for now.