BACK TO BOOKS
How do you encourage children to read? A good mix of stories and arts will start the ball rolling. And that is exactly what the reading advocate group, Basadours, did with “Storython: A Storytelling Marathon” held last Nov. 26 at the Cebu City Public Library (CCPL) in celebration of the National Book Week.
“Storython was our final event to close 2012. We thought of organizing a storytelling event that will bring together children in one venue. We envisioned it as a day when children find joy in listening to stories and then apply what they learned from the stories in an art activity,” said Basadours vice chairperson and Storython project chairperson Cris Evert B. Lato.
“Getting them interested in listening to stories will hopefully inspire them to read as each story opens a whole world for them to explore,” she added.
Basadours is a group of young professionals, who formed an organization in early 2012 to promote the love for reading through storytelling.
“We are grateful for the active involvement of the Basadours in generating attention and interest for reading and storytelling. In doing so, they have also spread the message that the presence of the public library is very important in a big city like Cebu,” said Rosario Chua, chief librarian of the Cebu City Public Library (CCPL).
On Feb. 25 2012, the Basadours launched the “I LOVE to Read” Project. Since then, it has held several storytelling sessions inside the CCPL and various mountain and city barangays.
In last November’s Storython, the Basadours stayed true to its theme “Storytelling is more fun at your public library.”
Colourful buntings and decorations transformed the library into a storytelling hub. More than 150 children from Pulang Bato Day Care Center, Bulacao Day Center, Bacayan Day Care Center and One World Montessori House joined the whole-day event.
Volunteer storytellers were University of San Carlos librarian Lorna Eguia; The Picture Company photographers Eva Marie Gamboa and Debbie Acebu; Mae Mercader and Cielo Lofranco of Saint Theresa’s College’s Buhilaman Theatre Organization; and kindergarten pupils and high school students of Childlink Learning Center and Childlink High School, Inc.
After each storytelling session, children engaged in arts and crafts activities facilitated by Basadour members.
“It was a very interesting and fun experience. It gave us another avenue to express our creativity. It also allowed us to help expand the children’s imagination,” said Gamboa, a first-time storyteller.
Children were treated to snacks, meals and giveaways given by partner companies: Garces Royal Garden, Islands Souvenirs, The Picture Company, Surf, Vaseline and Ate Kuya Children’s Welfare.
(To get to know the Basadours and their upcoming projects, visit www.facebook.com/Basadours. For inquiries, contact CCPL at 4124460 or e-mail at wearethebasadours@ymail.com)