Nicolo Nasol, a copy editor of a publishing firm, had thought the Basadours was another group of people who simply loved reading books.
The group actually goes beyond reading and gives life to books, he learned after meeting some members and joining their activities.
“The group was beyond what I expected. I joined storytelling sessions initiated by the Basadours and I felt very happy that I wouldn’t be reading to myself anymore but also for children, who really are our future,” said Nasol, 23, of Tate Publishing.
“From there, it was like changing the world one story at a time,” he said.
The Basadours was organized in February 2012 by 15 individuals who saw the need for a group that would promote the love of reading through storytelling.
Logical
“All of us had some sort of relationship with the Cebu City Public Library (CCPL), which was in danger of closing down in 2008. It was logical that we promote the love of reading through storytelling in partnership with the CCPL,” said their chairperson, lawyer Melvin Legaspi. Legaspi spent afternoons at the library while reviewing for the bar examinations in 2010 after finishing his law studies at the University of San Carlos. “We barely knew each other when we started the Basadours. We came from diverse backgrounds. There were lawyers, filmmakers, nurses, students, librarians and journalists. Nobody really knows how the group will turn out,” he said.
“But we have one thing in common—we love books and we want that the children love them, too.”
Passion
Rosario Chua, CCPL chief librarian, said she was excited when she learned about the idea to form a group. As it was initiated mostly by young professionals, she said she was hopeful about the sustainability of the advocacy and confident about the passion of its members.
“It was inspiring to see them meeting almost every other day and discussing what they needed to do to spread the love of reading. We are blessed that they choose the library to be their partner because they contribute in making this place alive,” she said. /Inquirer