At the heart of Cabuyao City – just off the Cabuyao City Hall, in fact – lies a two-story residential building that, for years, has been serving as a “safe haven” for children who wanted to expand their horizons through reading.
Since October 14, 2011, the Ayla Library in Barangay Sala has been giving young learners a place to learn and enjoy learning, with its wide collection of books as well as free services for students.
According to its Facebook page, the library, run by the Ayla Foundation, is “dedicated in unlocking the potential for advancement and success of underprivileged youth in the Philippines through the promotion and reinforcement of literacy and education.”
“Lahat po ng aming ino-offer na services dito sa library ay libre: yung pagpapahiram ng mga libro sa mga kalapit na estudyante dito, maging libreng paggamit po ng computers at wi-fi connection para po sa kanilang pag-aaral,” Lolita Cordial, the current administrator of Ayla Library, shared with OpinYon Laguna.
Safe haven borne out of tragedy
But what made the story of the Ayla Library all the more poignant is the story behind the founding of the institution.
The foundation was also dedicated to the memory of Ayla Batallones Manahan, a relative of the founder of the Ayla Library, Dra. Nenita Batallones de Jesus.
In an interview with OpinYon Laguna, Cordial related that the foundation was created by Dra. Nenita as a “tribute” to the Manahan family who lost their lives in a tragic incident sometime in the 1980’s.
“Ang naging kwento po sa amin ay parang pagbibigay-pugay ang library na ito sa mag-anak ng may-ari ng bahay na na-massacre po, kabilang na yung bata [na kung saan nakapangalan ang library na ito]. So ang library na ito ay itinatag bilang pagpupugay sa batang namatay,” the administrator explained.
Service to children
Today, Ayla Library serves as a venue for schoolchildren to continue their studies in a safe and nurturing environment.
“Kailangan lang po ay mag-register ang mga bata sa amin para maka-avail ng aming library card. Wala po itong bayad, gaya ng aming mga services,” Cordial explained.
The library features a stock of books for all ages, as well as various reference materials such as encyclopedias and almanacs. Some of the books came from the efforts of the founders, while others were donated by individuals and civic organizations, Cordial shared.
“In fact, yung iba pong mga materials dito ay galing sa ibang bansa, at tumatanggap rin po kami ng mga luma at bagong libro, kung sinuman po ang gustong mag-donate,” she added.
Other than free books and other services, Ayla Library also hosts events, seminars and other activities for children, Cordial added.
“For instance, mayroon po kaming libreng reading classes sa mga bata dito tuwing Sabado. Aside from that, naglulunsad rin po kami ng mobile library sa iba’t ibang mga paaralan sa lugar namin,” she added.
“Actually, ang talagang aim po namin ay kami na po ang magbigay ng libreng services sa mga bata; dahil foundation nga po kami, kami po dapat natulong sa kanila hindi yung kami nahingi ng tulong sa kanila.”
Love for reading
In today’s world where libraries are now being regarded as “obsolete,” free libraries such as Ayla Foundation serve as the “last bastion” for children – and even adults – to develop a love for reading and learning.
This was especially vital in the Philippines where reading comprehension and critical thinking has lagged behind, prompting the Department of Education (DepEd) to re-launch its “Drop Everything and Read” program recently.
“In fact, ang gusto po naming mai-develop sa mga bata ay ang pagpapahalaga sa mga aklat. Yun po, magkaroon ng reading habit yung mga bata, lalo na po’t unti-unti na itong nawawala sa mga kabataan ngayon,” Cordial pointed out.
The Ayla Library, located beside the Holy Rosary of Cabuyao Hospital, is open from Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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