?WHEN YOU read, you stand on shoulders of giants.?

Such was the wisdom of the late statesman Raul S. Roco, who took up the cause of education through his many years in public service, believing that kaalaman (knowledge) is the privilege [and right] of everyone.

And when one reads, he said, ?One sees farther than the rest.?

On the fourth anniversary of his untimely death, his widow, Sonia, children, Robby Pierre, Pia, Raul Jr., Neena, Ruari and Synara, inaugurated the Roco Reading in their 2.6-hectare farm called Maogmang Lugar (Happy Place) in Antipolo.

Amid a strong, pouring rain, Roco friends and admirers came and relieved memories of those ?Roco days? in his law office; in his place of work as a public servant; in his home in La Vista, Quezon City, where he expounded on what his vision for the country was, a nation of a learned people, a nation of honest citizens.

Reading is constructed as a mixed-use venue. A most nostalgic piece is Roco?s leather-topped desk. There is a pair of dividers, done in Capiz, with vintage sofa and chairs. Two shelves contain the books, a fraction of his massive collection of law books, novels, bios, history, literature and original documents pertaining to his public life.

As envisioned by Sonia, the place is a garden library where one can commune with nature. The reading center is surrounded by trees and lush greenery, a nature trip, indeed, mentally and physically.

She said she wanted the place to evolve into a theater, a venue for stage productions, to bring art to those who are far away from the big city. Soon, it can be a setting for weddings. (Call 0918-9059999.)

Roco and the family love music, and what better way to celebrate his life than to have Filipino artists perform at the venue.

During the opening, the Mabuhay Singers ? who will be remembered for their kundiman and whose singing voices have retained their timbre and quality, and young tenor Lorenzo ? a young budding artist from Pampanga, paid tribute to the late senator through songs.

A group of children from the Lores Elementary school nearby also rendered a song.

After the Mass officiated by Father Ed Africa, the Roco monument, showing the senator with his wife and children, was unveiled.

Also launched was the Raul Roco Shrine, online. The site will serve as an online shrine for the senator. It will include articles about him, photos and videos, letters from his family, friends, colleagues and some of his speeches. For the occasion, guests lighted candles for Roco by clicking on the ?candle,? and wrote their messages.

Present were Cora Alma de Leon; sisters from the St Joseph?s College where Sonia studied; Butch Africa; Women for Roco group; Felici Silayan; Josie Aldana with husband Nelson; Zeny Silva; Toni Gregory; Lydia D. Castillo; Maggie Macatulad; Inday Santiago; Josie Abenes; Cora Miller; Lolit Zarate; Tita Tet; and the Roco Volunteers, a group of young men and women who has vowed to continue the work of the late senator.