Teams from ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. (ALKFI) and REX Book Store Inc. braved hours of travel from Manila to distribute textbooks to students in Tarlac and Zambales.

In addition to a donation of 1,812 textbooks to Camiling Central Elementary School, Birbira National High School in Camiling also received 3,213 textbooks. Principal Angel Villamin said Birbira rarely wins prizes in raffle events, but receiving the textbooks proved that blessings can indeed pour in just a snap.

Meanwhile, Zambales National High School in Iba, Zambales received 10,000 textbooks. Tambac Elementary School, also in Iba, received 900 books.

The K-12 textbooks included E-Math, Science Links, TLE Global Community, English, Obra Maestra and Values, among others.

“Dati kulang po yung books ko at bumibili pa, pero ngayon kumpleto na po,” said Jasmin dela Rosa, a Grade 3 pupil from Camiling Central Elementary School.

Other students and teachers also said they were overwhelmed by the gift of education they received.

The donation is part of REX Book Store’s Para sa Bata program in partnership with ALKFI. Iba is one of the ecotourism sites of ALKFI’s Bantay Kalikasan. (Story/Photos by: Eva Mae Nares)