Proudly Mongolian

I am proud to be a Mongolian.

Last week, Star Paper, exclusive distributor of Mongol pencil in the county launched Mongol Pencil’s Isang Milyong Mongol Para Sa Isang Milyong Pangarap, with celebrity advocates as ambassadors. To me Mongol pencil is synonymous to education. It is the only pencil I know in my life. And I have been using Mongol pencil since I learned how to write.

Isang Milyong Mongol Para Sa Isang Milyong Pangarap was launch at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel Manila. It was attended by Star Paper executives, Newell Rubbermaid’s John Davies, and other celebrity advocates for Mongol — Diether Ocampo, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Tim Yap, Joey Mead, Socorro “Nanay Coring” Ramos, and JC Buendia.

I am passionate about this advocacy. We are at a time in our lives when we have become so interconnected, so interdependent with each other that we cannot ignore each other’s strengths and weaknesses. We have become one family. We have become one small village. We have become neighbors, we have become friends, more than ever.

The very first instance I heard about Isang Milyong Mongol Para Sa Isang Milyong Pangarap, I asked, “Why didn’t we think about this before?” But again, bakit hindi ngayon. Dream is the biggest equalizer among peoples not just in this country but around the world. You don’t pay to dream.

This is an advocacy that captures a myriad of things that I wanted to do. I have much faith in education as the solution to the problems of the world. If I may borrow the words of President Bill Clinton…”For all the blessing the world has gotten, it remains unequal, unstable, unsustainable.”

To me education can stabilize, equalize, and sustain this world. It is a basic human right.

Education is knowing that you have a right to live a good life.

The pencil is a tool that connects people. If we can articulate to each other that we care then this is a better world. Inculcate this message to one million children in this country today, can you imagine in 20 years what this country is like?

In the Biblical story, it was Cain who said, “I am not my brother’s keeper”. Not anymore. Now more than ever, we are our brother’s keepers, specially our brothers who cannot afford to go to school. Especially our young brothers who cannot afford to write their names because they don’t have pencils.

The following are what the other celebrity advocates have to say:

Diether — “It is an honor to be a part of this project. K.I.D.S. Foundation, is proud to be in solidarity with companies that are committed to serving as agents of change. I have long been an advocate of children’s rights and promoting literacy among our disadvantaged youth is exceedingly important.”

Mrs. Socorro Ramos — “It is a laudable campaign and National Bookstore has always carried Mongol Pencil on its shelves. It is an excellent product and every Filipino child needs to have access to learning tools.”

Tessa — “I grew up using Mongol Pencil and I was a creative child. I know that having the right tools can help inspire children’s creativity.”

Tim — “I wish we had more noteworthy projects like this. We all need to do our part to advance and promote children’s rights. I am proud to be an advocacy ambassador.”

Joey M. — “I love that we can do something to improve literacy among Filipino children. I hope that we can inspire future writers and artists through this campaign.”

JC — “As a fashion designer, the pencil is an important tool. And I am thrilled to support this campaign because it is one way of ensuring the future of Philippine fashion as these children can be the next generation of designers.”

Raymund Isaac — “The camera is a great tool for capturing life, people and emotions, but the pencil is one of the simplest, most basic, practical and useful tools for documenting life. And children need to be able to have access to this amazing tool.”

Mongol will also issue limited editions of Cory and Ninoy Mongol pencils. Bam Aquino delivered a speech on behalf of the Aquino family.

Now you understand why I am proud to be a Mongolian. The good news is (you too can.)

To Star Paper, to Mongol, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for making me part of the family. Bravo!