The value of education in the age of social media

MANILA, Philippines – Out of 68 million Filipinos, 95.6% can read and write.

This means that Filipinos 10 years old and over are considered to be basically literate and can
understand a simple message using the Filipino language or dialect. Considering the literacy rate of our
neighboring countries like Japan and South Korea, we are not falling far behind.

While this is something we should celebrate, we are in an era of rapid change. The age of social media
poses a new challenge to the progress we’ve already made. For three consecutive years, the Philippines
has been dubbed as social media capital of the world with millions of Filipinos spending almost 4 hours
on social media every day.

With this finding, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) collaborated with the Japan-ASEAN
Integration Fund (JAIF) to develop and implement a media and information literacy (MIL) campaign that
is focused on cyber wellness for the youth.

The PIA has also established a good working relationship with Facebook Philippines. In fact, in March
2018, Facebook sent resource persons to talk in PIA’s Media and Information Literacy Forum, an event
that tackles how the youth can protect themselves from the hazards of social media.

MoneyGram is one with the Philippine government in continuing the progress in literacy and education.
Last June 6, they launched the ‘Inspiring Minds with the Gift of Literacy’, a project that will give 50,000
new books to 100 schools.

Aside from providing global financial services to families around the world, MoneyGram also believes in
the value of education. That’s why they partnered with Asia Foundation to bring more books to children
living in far-flung areas. In 2018, they were able to give 20,000 books to different schools across the
country.

MOBILE LIBRARY. Sam Chittick, Asia Foundation's country representative for the Philippines and Alex
Lim, MoneyGram country manager introduce the mobile library.

MOBILE LIBRARY. Sam Chittick, Asia Foundation's country representative for the Philippines and Alex
Lim, MoneyGram country manager introduce the mobile library.

“Our support of the Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia program ensures students not only have access to
books and libraries, but also have a chance for better economic opportunities, healthier families, and
individual freedom and empowerment,” Sabrina Chan, MoneyGram International’s marketing lead of
the Asia Pacific, Middle East and South Asia Region said.

The importance of education is deeply ingrained in our culture that parents would go far and beyond to
secure their child’s future.

“Kaya nga may nag a-abroadpara mabigyan nila ng magandang edukasyon ang mga anak nila, para
gumanda ang kinabukasan nila [People work abroad because they want their children to have a bright
future which can only be achieved by giving them good education],” Robin Padilla, MoneyGram brand
ambassador said.

This event is the first of many launch series MoneyGram Foundation and Asia Foundation will be
conducting to inspire young minds and improve the lives of children by providing quality and interactive
books as learning resources.

“This is our way of giving back to the community,” Alex Lim, MoneyGram country manager said. –
In these changing times, courage and clarity become even more important.