On November 23, 2024, Padre Burgos Elementary School (PBES) buzzed with excitement as it hosted “Bayanihan Saturdays,” a heartwarming initiative by the Give Me A Book Foundation (GMBF).  This event brought together the spirit of community, the joy of reading, and the power of art to enrich the learning experience of Grade 1 students from PBES. Bayanihan Saturdays at Padre Burgos Elementary School was honored by the presence of esteemed guests, including Maria Victoria Colayco Lagoutte, the founder of Give Me A Book Foundation (GMBF), and Yul Villanueva, GMBF’s Social Media Manager and a former teacher.  A dedicated team of GMBF volunteers, led by Project Leader Tiffany Colayco, contributed their time and talents.  Artists Rai Rivas, Pia Vivar, and Lexie Ong brought their creative energy, while Trica Colayco managed production and Katya Hernandez handled logistics.  Dr. Ma. Jessica S. Magayanes, Public Schools District Supervisor-Cluster 2 and Marina Magbago, Filipino Leveled Books (FLB) Division Facilitator, also played a key role.  The event was made possible by the generous support of sponsors and the enthusiastic participation of the Grade 1 teachers.  Their combined efforts created a truly enriching experience for the students. Preparation and Welcome: The day began with the registration of sponsors, who were warmly welcomed and guided to their designated area.  Name tags were distributed, and students and sponsors were initially kept in separate areas as they arrived.  The program proper commenced with an introduction to GMBF, highlighting its advocacy, background, and milestones.  A briefing on the Bayanihan Saturday program followed, outlining the planned activities, including the interactive reading sessions and arts and crafts projects.  Students, also separated by reading level (A, B, C, and D), received name tags indicating their designated level. Building Connections Through Reading: A key element of the day was the pairing of each student with a sponsor.  These pairs were then guided to their designated seating areas, organized according to leveled book sections.  A warm welcome officially kicked off Bayanihan Saturday, emphasizing the program’s purpose and acknowledging the invaluable contributions of partners, including PBES, sponsors, donors, and volunteers.  An engaging “Apple-Orange-Banana” warm-up activity and breathing exercises helped everyone settle in.  A brief introduction to leveled books and reading time instructions, complete with a timer displayed on a screen, prepared the sponsors and students for the enriching activity ahead.  Filipino leveled books were distributed according to each student’s reading level, and the room filled with the quiet murmur of shared reading.  A special “Balikbayan Meet & Greet” was also organized in a dedicated classroom, allowing students to connect with Filipinos living abroad via Zoom. Creative Expression through Arts and Crafts: Following the reading session, the focus shifted to arts and crafts.  The activities, designed to complement the themes of the Filipino leveled books, were introduced.  Materials were distributed according to assigned reading levels, and the students eagerly embarked on their creative projects: Level A crafted Paper Bag Dogs, Level B constructed DIY Sipa, Level C explored Recycled Water Bottle crafts, and Level D folded intricate Origami Pawikan. Celebrating Creativity and Sharing a Meal: As the art projects neared completion, the students and sponsors prepared for a gallery walk.  They attached their name tags to their creations and proudly displayed them on tables.  McDonalds meals were then distributed, with sponsors lining up with their student partners.  The gallery walk provided a wonderful opportunity for everyone to admire the artwork, take pictures, and celebrate the students’ creativity. A Joyful Finale: The day concluded with a lively performance by the McDonalds mascot, followed by fun games that brought laughter and excitement to the children.  The Bayanihan Saturday event at PBES was a resounding success, fostering a love of reading, encouraging creative expression, and strengthening community bonds.  It was a testament to the power of collaboration and the transformative impact of giving back.