INQUIRER READ-ALONG SOWS SEEDS OF COURAGE
With courage and unity, we can prevail amid trying times.
This was the message of Philippine Daily Inquirer president and CEO Alexandra PrietoRomualdez to over 200 kids during the first day of the 8th Inquirer Read-Along Festival held at the Inquirer office in Makati City on Friday morning.
“Sometimes, when we’re faced with big challenges we might be overwhelmed with a feeling of helplessness. We might be facing these challenges in school, at work, or in our community. It’s wonderful to hear the kids say that they learned from the story we’ve read that, together, we’ll be able to face the challenges,” Romualdez said.
Copresented with Ayala Foundation (AF), the two-day annual festival featured the theme “#MagingMagiting,” in support of the foundation’s campaign of love of country through honoring acts of heroism by every Filipino.
Fighting back
Romualdez read the story “Sina Linggit Laban Kay Barakuda” by Rene Villanueva, which tells of how a school of fish fought back against a predator.
Linggit’s story is a reminder that making a difference starts with simple acts, and that working together in the face of big challenges is better, Romualdez said.
“We can be strong together and we can solve problems together,” she said. “[The story] is also a reminder that our acts affect others so we have to be mindful of what we do,” she added.
The other guest storytellers were TV broadcaster Cathy Untalan-Vital, Miss Earth-Philippines 2018 Celeste Cortesi, Miss Fire-Philippines 2018 Jean de Jesus, GMA 7 actress Marika Sasaki, and veteran storytellers Rich Rodriguez of Ang Pinoy Storytellers and Dyali Justo of Adarna House.
Other finalists
The festival chose Grade 3 pupil Reeve Angelo Penuliar of School of Saint Anthony (SSA) as the king of storytelling, with the seven finalists reading the story “Ngumiti si Andoy” by Xi Zuq, about a boy who learns a few secrets in the life of hero Andres Bonifacio.
Princess Angel Macapagal of SSA received the People’s Choice Award for garnering the most “love” on her storytelling semifinals video uploaded on Inquirer Read-Along’s official Facebook page.
The other finalists were Zoe Kayla Cheng of Chiang Kai Shek College, Pio Miguel Ng of Optimus Center for Development Inc., Joshua Miguel Untalan of Antonio Regidor Elementary School, and SSA students Crisha Kaye Coja and Jeric Napigue.
All finalists and their coaches received cash prizes from AF.
Solid foundation
AF president Ruel Maranan read “Ang Panganay” by Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, which describes the different symbolisms of the Philippine flag.
“If our youth were equipped with the right references, the right materials and the truth as early as possible, they will have a solid foundation not only to love our country but to really serve and become models for the rest,” Maranan said.
“We’re happy that the Inquirer Read-Along adopted our “#MagingMagiting” campaign because we know how powerful read-along is and how it has touched a lot of children’s lives,” said AF senior director for corporate communications Cel Amores.
Powerful insights
Amores read Christine Bellen’s “Filemon Mamon,” which tells the story of a boy who struggles against bullying and his weight problem.
Vital and the Miss Earth beauty queens read Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree” together, and gave their young audience powerful insights on the gift of giving and acceptance.
Rodriguez read “Ang Binibining Tumalo sa Mahal na Hari,” which tells how a maiden outwitted a king who was testing her to see if she deserved to be married to his son.
In the afternoon session, returning storyteller Sasaki read “Si Inggolok at ang Planetang Pakaskas” by Rene Villanueva, which tells of how an edible planet slowly deteriorated because of abuse and the gluttony of its inhabitants.
“Simple acts of caring for the environment, such as proper disposal of waste, can save our planet from further destruc- tion,” Sasaki said.
Justo read Edwin Estioko’s “Little David’s Big Faith,” about a boy named David who took on the giant soldier, Goliath.
Virtual reality
Sophia School principal Ann Abacan, actor Mon Confiado of the movies “Goyo” and “Heneral Luna,” singer Hannah Precillas, Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 Sharifa Akeel and Mutya ng Pilipinas 2018 first runner-up Mary Justine Teng also read stories at the festival.
Maranan turned over Philippine flags to the teachers who attended the festival as part of the Maging Magiting campaign. The attendees also experienced historical events through Ayala Museum’s 360 Virtual Reality videos that featured Jose Rizal’s execution and the events surrounding the feud between Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo.
Acting as storytelling workshop facilitators were Abacan, Justo and Rodriguez, all of whom also served as judges in the final round.
Judging the elimination and semifinal rounds were Inquirer Lifestyle Super’s editor Ruth Navarra Mayo, Inquirer photographer Grig Montegrande and Rodriguez.
Some 200 kids from 13 schools in Metro Manila and Rizal provinces attended the last day of the annual event, which was sponsored by McDonald’s, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Pridez Foods Services Inc., Anvil Publishing Inc. and Adarna House.