As part of its commitment to advance youth literacy, listed natural resources development company Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC) facilitated the second leg of its #AralLakbay campaign in partnership with the Center for Art, New Ventures, and Sustainable Development (CANVAS).
The program brought together children from Barangay 660-A in Ermita, Manila, where they were treated to a read-along session, mask-making workshop, and an interactive tour of CANVAS’ ongoing exhibit, 20 Years of Art and Stories, at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.
The exhibit, which will run until June 2026, features artworks from various Filipino artists including National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera and Elmer Borlongan. It is also a preview of the soon-to-open Tumba-Tumba Children’s Museum of Philippine Art in Batangas.
The #AralLakbay program began with a read-along of Ang Pusang Kartero, a CANVAS-published children’s book that celebrates imagination, kindness, and community, followed by an interactive Q&A session with prizes from CANVAS.
To spark creativity, the children also participated in a mask-making workshop inspired by themes from the book, followed by a lively round of “Pass the Message.”
Each child received a copy of the featured book to take home, continuing NAC and CANVAS’ mission to strengthen children’s literacy and nurture a love for reading. This was followed by a tour of the CANVAS exhibit.
The #AralLakbay campaign is in support of the “One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children” campaign led by CANVAS, wherein the latter gives away books penned by Filipino writers and artists to children in public schools and underserved communities. The goal is to inspire the love for reading and cultivate independent learning in children.
“Partnerships with institutions and organizations like NAC really help make CANVAS’ goal of giving away one million books a reality,” said CANVAS Deputy Executive Director Annette Ferrer. “We’re currently at the halfway mark at 500,000 books, and after we reach a million, we’re hoping to give away a million more.”
“Natutuwa kami at nabigyan kami ng opportunity na makaranas ng mga program katulad ng Aral Lakbay kasi madalas hindi napapansin yung mga maliliit na barangay tulad namin ‘pag may ganitong mga program. When I learned na may Aral Lakbay, grinab ko yung opportunity at nag-reach out ako sa CANVAS para sa mga bata ng Barangay 660-A nang ma-experience nila ito,” said Barangay 660-A Kagawad Janine Coladilla Avila.
Christian Luis Idio, an 11-year-old student from Lucban Elementary School, expressed the same optimism: “Natutunan ko po na kailangan talaga natin magbasa. Kapag nakapagtapos ka, mas marami ang opportunities na darating sa’yo.”
Through #AralLakbay and its ongoing partnership with CANVAS via the NAC Foundation, Inc. (NACFI), NAC continues to support initiatives that encourage reading, promote cultural awareness, and engage young learners through art and storytelling.
The first #AralLakbay, held on Sept. 6, 2025, featured a climate change discussion led by geologist and children’s book author Dr. Alyssa Peleo-Alampay, PhD. The session included a read-along of her book I Am the Change in Climate Change, using its stories and activities to present climate concepts in an engaging, accessible, and informative way for young learners.
During the inaugural leg, NAC Senior Vice President for Sustainability, Risk, Corporate Affairs, and Communications Jose Bayani Baylon highlighted the company’s long-standing advocacy for education.
“Our founder, Manuel B. Zamora, believes that education is a great equalizer. That belief guides NAC and its philanthropic arm, NACFI, in supporting organizations like CANVAS and their goal of giving away one million books,” he said. “This is our way of helping address the literacy crisis.”
 facilitated the second leg of its #AralLakbay campaign in partnership with the Center for Art, New Ventures, and Sustainable Development (CANVAS).){kind=link}