27 April 2025, Seoul. In commemoration of Philippine National Literature Month, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul donated a set of books to the Namsan Public Library on 25 April 2025. 

The donation, under the Embassy’s  “Books as Bridges” program consists of Korean-language versions of works by National Artist Nick Joaquin such as “The Women with Two Navels” and “Tales of the Tropical Gothic” and popular young Filipino author Mica de Leon’s best-selling contemporary romance “Love on the Second Read” all published by the HanseaYes24 Foundation. Other donated books include the Philippine Embassy in Seoul’s 75th anniversary of Philippines-Korea relations commemorative publication “dáyo 이민자: Stories of Migration” and dual language children’s books in Filipino and English. 

Namsan Library Director Mr. Go Young-gap and the Namsan Library team accepted the book donations from Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario in a simple ceremony at the library. 

After the turnover, Director Go led the Philippine Embassy team through a tour of the library’s main facilities including its multicultural readings section and its digital publications center. Namsan Library is one of the largest public libraries in the Yongsan-gu area and is a popular reading center for both Koreans and international residents being located in a scenic spot near the iconic Namsan Trail and Tower. 

The Philippine Embassy is scheduled to hold other book donation ceremonies under its “Books as Bridges” program with other Korean institutions for Philippine Independence Month in June. END