Diether Ocampo

Celebrities Boy Abunda, Diether Ocampo, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Tim Yap and Joey Mead have joined hands for Mongol Pencil’s advocacy “Isang Milyong Mongol Para Sa Isang Milyong Pangarap.”

The advocacy was launched at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel Manila on Nov. 26 via a photo exhibit featuring the celeb endorsers along with National Bookstore matriarch Socorro Ramos, topnotch designer JC Buendia, and ace photographer Raymund Isaac.

According to a press release, the campaign shall help provide underprivileged public school children with school supplies and writing tools.

Through this campaign, Star Paper Corporation (which recently acquired the exclusive distributorship of the Mongol Pencil) endeavors to promote literacy and encourage children to express themselves through writing and art, to communicate that the pencil is an important tool for capturing life and imagining the future and to promote values such as patriotism, love of family, industriousness, self-actualization, and determination.

Boy, who called himself a “Mongol-ian” in a VTR aired during the event, exhorted people to be their brother’s and sister’s keeper.

“We really should start caring for each other. We should mind each other’s business in a positive way,” he said.

Diether, who spoke eloquently and passionately about the advocacy, tied up his endorsement with his K.I.D.S. Foundation project. He underlined the role writing instruments serve in promoting literacy among disadvantaged youth.

Nanay Socorro totally agreed with what Diether said and that’s why National Bookstore has always carried Mongol Pencil on its shelves.

“It is a laudable campaign…and Mongol Pencil is an excellent product. Every Filipino child needs to have access to learning tools,” Mrs. Ramos said.

Tim, who co-emceed the affair with Joey, disclosed that as a kid, he would write down a list of all his dreams on a piece of paper which he would check on a year later.

“And many of them come true! I think there’s truth to the belief that dreams are easier realized if these are committed on paper,” he said.

JC recounted distinctly that he used a Mongol Pencil number two when he took his college entrance exams. He added that pencil and paper were one of the tools he used to ward off an unhappy childhood.

“Boys did not want to play with me so I spent my time making lot of sketches, mostly of princesses,” he said.

Raymund, who was unable to deliver his speech at the event, nevertheless gave an insightful remark about the importance of the pencil.         

“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,” the press release quoted him as saying.

Special congratulatory video messages from the Department of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus and from Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (through his cousin, Bam Aquino) were also shown during the event.

“Isang Milyong Mongol Para Sa Isang Milyong Pangarap” is also supported by organizations and institutions that include the National Bookstore Foundation, SOFITEL Philippine Plaza Manila, K.I.D.S. Foundation, Ayala Foundation’s CENTEX, and the Department of Education.

Star Paper Corporation distributes a diverse product line which includes some of the world’s most respected brands of school and office supplies, writing instruments, and art supplies.