Philippine Air Force Reserve Brig. Gen. Michael Romero joined a magazine-signing event Friday during the Philippine Readers and Writers Festival 2026 at Araneta City in Cubao, Quezon City.

Romero participated in the TopNewsAsia magazine signing from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at National Book Store alongside Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia and TopNewsAsia Editor-in-Chief Grace Bondad Nicolas.

Speaking at the event, Romero stressed the role of reading, writing, and education in youth development and shared his personal journey to success.

"I was persistent and hardworking," Romero said. "I started from home, stayed focused on my goals, and never gave up. If I can do it, our young students can do it, too."

He urged students to dream big and use education as a foundation to achieve their ambitions.

"Read widely, think critically, and write with purpose," Romero added. "Your circumstances today do not define your future. With determination, discipline, and education, you can write your own success story."