A million pencils for a million dreams
CELEBRITY advocates recently took part in the launch of Mongol Pencil’s "Isang Milyong Mongol Para Sa Isang Milyong Pangarap."
Originally developed by the Eberhard Faber Company, a US company in the early 1800s, Mongol pencil’s astonishing history is marked by many changes and developments in its production, but the pencil has retained its essence and quality, making it one of the world’s most recognizable brands and endearing it to many generations of Filipinos.
Filipino-owned leading paper and distribution company, Star Paper Corp. acquired the exclusive distributorship of the Mongol pencil in the Philippines.
After having been a key supplier for the printing industry since 1974, Star Paper has grown into an industry leader, utilizing the latest systems, technologies and offering the most efficient sales and marketing services. The acquisition of the exclusive distributorship of Mongol pencil is a significant development in Star Paper’s efforts to expand its presence in the market through a broader distribution network and diversifying its product lines which includes some of the world’s most respected brands of school and office supplies, writing instruments, and art supplies.
The ubiquitous Mongol pencil has given birth to many great ideas, creations and dreams and on November 26, Star Paper ensured that Mongol pencil gives birth to a million more as it launched the advocacy campaign, "Isang Milyong Mongol Para Sa Isang Milyong Pangarap."
The campaign will provide underprivileged public school children with school supplies and writing tools. Through this campaign, Star Paper promotes literacy and encourages underprivileged students 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.
Held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel Manila, the launch of "Isang Milyong Mongol Para sa Isang Milyong Pangarap" gathered some of the Philippines most gifted celebrity advocacy ambassadors.
TV personality and PR practitioner, Boy Abunda, was enlisted to join the campaign. Boy shares his enthusiasm over Mongol Pencil’s campaign and how together, "We can all strengthen the future of this country. I know that Filipinos are some of the most creative and talented in the world and that the children need all the help and support they can get to realize their full potential."
Diether Ocampo, renowned actor, entrepreneur, model and founder of the K.I.D.S. Foundation, a non-profit organization that advocates children’s rights, was one of the first to sign on as an advocacy ambassador and partner of Mongol pencil’s advocacy campaign. Diether shares his thoughts: "It is an honor to be a part of this project. K.I.D.S. Foundation, is proud to be in solidarity with companies that are committed to serving as agents of change. I have long been an advocate of children’s rights and promoting literacy among our disadvantaged youth is exceedingly important."
For years, National Bookstore Foundation has been promoting literacy and readership awareness among children and it is not surprising that the foundation’s driving force and the matriarch of the Philippines’ leading retailer of books, office supplies, and greeting cards, Socorro Ramos eagerly threw her support for Mongol pencil. "It is a laudable campaign and National Bookstore has always carried Mongol pencil on its shelves. It is an excellent product and every Filipino child needs to have access to learning tools," Ramos says of the campaign.
Philanthropist and socialite, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, one of the campaign’s advocacy ambassadors says, "I grew up using Mongol pencil and I was a creative child. I know that having the right tools can help inspire children’s creativity."
Tim Yap, event organizer and entrepreneur said, "I wish we had more noteworthy projects like this. We all need to do our part to advance and promote children’s rights. I am proud to be an advocacy ambassador.
Professional model and VJ, Joey Mead is also one of the advocacy ambassadors. She said, "I love that we can do something to improve literacy among Filipino children. I hope that we can inspire future writers and artists through this campaign."
Another advocacy ambassador, designer JC Buendia said, "As a fashion designer, the pencil is an important tool. And I am thrilled to support this campaign because it is one way of ensuring the future of Philippine fashion as these children can be the next generation of designers."
"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. And children need to have access to this amazing tool," says Raymund Isaac, celebrity photographer and advocacy ambassador. launch event.