With its fervent pursuit of providing quality and inclusive education for the Valenzuelano youths, the City Government of Valenzuela opened the doors for its first public library, celebrating with a three-day event consisting of cumulative learning activities for participants at the newly inaugurated Valenzuela City Academic Center for Excellence (ValACE), Barangay Malinta, on February 24-26, 2023.

The long-anticipated opening of the Valenzuela City Library is part of the celebration of Valenzuela’s 25th Charter Day this February. Alongside the grand launching of one of its main facilities, the Valenzuela Academic Center for Excellence (ValACE) was formally opened for public use, significantly for educational purposes. To commemorate this momentous event, the City Government seized the opportunity to conduct a three-day celebration consisting of various learning activities such as workshops and contests for the attendees. The following activities touch upon facets of art, literature, and history; which are facilitated by renowned artists and specialists in the respective field.

The program was preceded by welcoming remarks from the City Librarian, Rochelle Silverio who expressed a warm welcome to everyone who joined in the celebration. Ms. Rhodora Espiritu of the National Library of the Philippines, and Mr. Anthony John Balisi of the National Book Development Board also offered words of encouragement to the Valenzuelanos to empower the culture of reading and to create more inclusive learning spaces for all walks of life.

On the other hand, the Presentation of Grant Approval was led by Mr. Joshua Kevin Mejos, delivering the words of Executive Director Oscar Casaysay of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Mayor WES Gatchalian conveyed utmost gratitude for the collective efforts of the community—from the national departments to benefactors—for making this project possible. He emphasized the importance of education to nation-building. “With education as one of our flagship priorities, you can count on the City Government’s commitment to continue to strive and support each Valenzuelano to excel in their studies and achieve their goals. Thus, with the opening of this Library, our constituents have access to resources and are provided with a space conducive to learning, where they can further work on their aspirations in life, every single day of the week,” he concluded.

Former Mayor Melecio Yap, Jr., Councilors Niña Lopez, Cris Feliciano-Tan, Sel Sabino-Sy, Chiqui Carreon, Ricar Enriquez, Ghogo Deato Lee, former Councilor Rovin Feliciano, and the members of the Rotary Club of Valenzuela and Fukushima21 Rotary Club also graced the event and participated in the welcoming of the new city library.

The three-day celebration is open to participants of all ages, all of whom have access to exclusive training from workshops and may participate in contests hosted by seasoned specialists namely Mayoress Tiffany Gatchalian, Dr. Luis “Tito Dok” Gatmaitan, authors Norman Boquiren, Zarah Gagatiga, and Marren Araña Adan, filmmaker Direk Richard Soriano Legaspi, National Artist Virgilio Almario, Gawad Dr. Pio Awardee Jerry Gracio, Chef Marky, artist Desiree Mendoza, and historian Xiao Chua. Publishing house Lampara Books, Pandayan Bookshop, and Pai Toys Philippines are also collaborators in the event. The activities included in the event are namely coloring contest, calligraphy workshop, storytelling, short film viewing, poetry reading, snack-making, and the inauguration of the Xiao Chua Public History Collection in the city library.

ValACE houses the public library for three (3) storeys, featuring a senior’s corner, general reading area, children’s area, expansive study rooms, computer room, and so forth. The bookroom also offered a wide variety of reading resources; ranging from Filipiniana to foreign literature and a collection of references. For the time being, only the first and second floors of the library premises are open to the public. On the other hand, the third floor of the establishment will be open until further notice.

Initiated by former Mayor and now DSWD Secretary REX Gatchalian, the founding of the Valenzuela Academic Center for Excellence (ValACE) is a response to the current challenges in the educational sector, hence providing more learning spaces and resources for the students. With a vision to make globally-competitive Valenzuelanos, a public library was born. This remains a testament to the City’s invaluable commitment to equitable and accessible education for all Valenzuelanos; prolonging best practices and ensuring that no student is left behind.

The Valenzuela City Library, alongside other amenities at ValACE, is located at A. Pablo Street corner MacArthur Highway, Malinta, and will cater to the public for free from Mondays to Sundays; 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on the first floor and 9:00 AM to 12:00 MM on the second floor. 

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