Bontoc, Mountain Province – The Bontoc Municipal Capitol hosted the launching of an inspirational and motivational book, “Daily Dose of Sunshine”, written by Mrs. Pharisia Gail Leyaley-Tudlong.
The author is now bringing a dose of sunshine to people suffering from illness and in need of financial assistance, and to those who have been through mental challenges with the Book Launch for a Cause at the Bontoc Municipal Library on September 30, 2020.
For one who loves reading books and who used to visit the provincial library in her younger years, she never had second thoughts in choosing the Bontoc Municipal Library as the venue of her book launch.
She added that she wanted other people to visit the Bontoc Municipal Library and see for themselves how beautiful the place is. Tudlong remarked that the Bontoc Municipal Library is a conducive and inviting place for everyone to visit and read books. It is clean and neat, spacious, and offers a variety of books.
In her message, the writer acknowledged that sometimes going through life can be a little bit of a roller coaster. She narrated that the contents of her book were letters to herself in her high and low points, helping her to cope.
She decided to publish the collated letters to herself with high hopes that they could help other people who may be going through tough times.
“I decided to publish my letters to myself with the hopes that others may resonate with them and be empowered just like how my notes motivated me to rise above my pains. We can all give ourselves some sunshine and spread it to infect others with positivity. I do not claim it to be the cure of everything, but if we could save at least one soul from giving up on life, let us all do it by giving out copies,” the writer shared.
Tudlong narrated that before the book launch of the “Daily Dose of Sunshine”, she tapped a group in Bontoc, the Social Society Club (SSC), and the Bontoc Municipal Library for a partnership, thus, the Book Launch for a Cause was organized. The SSC, under its mentor Rhea Manochon is a group of high school and college youth, who made it their mission to raise funds for people in need.
She mentioned that the P50 collected as a registration fee during the launch for a cause and 10% of the book sales shall be turned over by the SSC to the family of Marlon Sidchayao who was diagnosed with kidney failure and is scheduled to undergo a kidney transplant. Sidchayao is from Barlig, Mountain Province, and is married to an Ifontok.
The SSC is also planning to raise funds for another patient, Antonette Lomong-oy, 18 years old from Barangay Caneo, Bontoc, Mountain Province who was diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease. At present, Lomong-oy is undergoing hemodialysis and is scheduled for kidney transplant. The percentage the SSC will get from the sales of the book is intended for the fundraising to help the family of Lomong-oy.
Aside from this, the book is also intended to raise funds for the advocacies of Development Organization for Families and Communities in the Cordillera, Inc. (DOFCCI), a non –government organization.
Likewise, Tudlong extended her profound gratitude to the community, her relatives, friends, acquaintances, food sponsors, local artists, SSC, Bontoc Municipal Librarian Chamreine Casiwen and staff, and even strangers for their love and support.
“I could have not done the book launch without everyone. It takes a community to launch a book indeed. Alone, I can only do so much. All together, we can light up this world, one Daily Dose of Sunshine at a time,” she emphasized.
The writer who is a Physical Therapist by profession is the daughter of Engr. Leonardo Cam-ed Leyaley from Sabangan and Engr. Felicidad Pepoa Pagteilan from Bauko, Mountain Province. She was born and raised in Bontoc, Mountain Province and is married to Engr. Frederick Allikoy Tudlong. The couple is blessed with two children, Gairic Hart who is 22 years old, and Caitlin Freya Zoe, 19 years old.
For those who are interested to buy a copy of the “Daily Dose of Sunshine,” it is available at the SSC Store located at Lower Caluttit, Bontoc, Mountain Province. It is sold at P350 per copy. Also, the book will soon be available online on Shopee and Amazon.
Meanwhile, present during the Book Launch for a Cause were Mountain Province Congressman Maximo Dalog, Jr., Mayor Franklin Odsey, Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen, Sangguniang Bayan members, employees of the Bontoc LGU, and the public.** Alpine L. Killa, Bontoc –LGU
