SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, Book Nook pioneer Architect Shereen Sy and Australian Ambassador HK Yu unveiled the first Australia Corner in Manila at the SM Podium. Photo courtesy of SM
LIFE

Ambassador Yu brings Aussie flair to SM's Book Nook

DT

Australian Ambassador HK Yu recently joined Book Nook founder Architect Shereen Sy and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan for the launch of the first Australia Corner in Manila. The new section, located at the Book Nook in SM Podium, features a collection of Australian children’s books, novels, and educational materials, many of which are not commonly available in Philippine bookstores.

Ambassador Yu, accompanied by senior diplomats, personally handed over a selection of books from the Australian Embassy, along with donations from Australian alumni and the Melbourne-based non-profit Give-A-Textbook Foundation.

Architect Shereen Sy, pioneer of Book Nook, warmly welcomes friends from the Australian Embassy and fellow Australia-educated Filipinos. Sy setup Book Nook to make reading and literacy more accessible and enjoyable. It has evolved and grown to become a communal space for book donations and book swaps, but also a hub where people could gather and participate in events and workshops.

“I hope this gift to the Book Nook will encourage reading across all ages, and encourage people to learn more about Australia, our First Nation heritage, and our modern diverse society,” said Ambassador Yu.

The Book Nook concept was inspired by Architect Shereen Sy's experience in Australia, where she saw small, unattended bookshelves allowing people to share and take books for free. She sought to bring a similar initiative to the Philippines, making reading more accessible while fostering community engagement.

Ambassador Yu highlighted the role of Australia-educated Filipinos in bringing this initiative to life. “I am very proud of our Australia alumni Shereen and Chico for bringing their positive experience from Australia and creating free spaces for reading and learning here in the Philippines.” she said.

The launch event also served as a gathering for Filipino alumni who studied in Australia, many of whom came to support Sy’s advocacy.

“This Australia Corner is only the beginning of the Embassy’s partnership with Book Nook. We look forward to making use of this community space where Australia-educated Filipinos and Australian guests can potentially deliver workshops, lectures and other cultural events,” Ambassador Yu added.

Book Nook is a community-driven library where visitors can read, donate, and share books. Managed by SM Cares, it hosts events and literacy programs for both children and adults. The first Book Nook opened in SM Aura in 2020, with a second branch now located at SM Podium in Ortigas Center.

Senior officials from the Australian Embassy and SM Supermalls supported the unveiling of the Australia Corner at SM Podium’s Book Nook. In photo from left: Australian Embassy Counsellors Luke Villiers (Economic), Peter Adams (Development), and Johanna Stratton (Political and Public Diplomacy), with Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu, Book Nook pioneer Architect Shereen Sy, SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans Sy Jr., SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, and executive vice president for marketing Joaquin San Agustin.