MANILA, Philippines–Fifteen young readers aged 10 to 12 made it through the elimination round of this year’s Inquirer Read-Along Festival Storytelling Contest, which saw 54 students from seven schools battle it out in an interactive storytelling competition.
“Everyone was really good so we had a tough time choosing the winners. We picked those who really stood out during their storytelling,” said Junior Inquirer editor and regular Read-Along host Ruth Navarra before announcing the winners at the Inquirer office in Makati on Saturday.
Navarra chaired the elimination round board of judges, which included Inquirer photographer and Read-Along storyteller Grig Montegrande and professional storyteller Ray Escasinas.
Named semifinalists were: Aron Claude Perez, Optimus Center for Development; Christian Manuel Fronda, Optimus Center for Development; Sophia Janelle Chua, Chiang Kai Shek College; Satsuaki Macahilig, St. Anthony of Makati Montessori; Yedda Marie Lambujon, Diliman Preparatory School; Ralph Matthew Villafuerte, Optimus Center for Development; Jumel Wesley Manuel, St. Anthony of Makati Montessori;
Yani Suzette Gamulo, Diliman Preparatory School; Renne Vivienne Alapit, Diliman Preparatory School; Shayenne Danielle Lim, Chiang Kai Shek College; Aeralah Kristy Deloria, Diliman Preparatory School; Darwin Alexander Co, Chiang Kai Shek College; Noah Roa, Optimus Center for Development; Eine Vuycankiat, St. Anthony of Makati Montessori; and Charlie Baylosis, Antonio Regidor Elementary School.
Storytelling workshop
A week before the elimination round, the contestants and their coaches participated in a workshop on the basics of book-based interactive storytelling led by regular Read-Along storyteller Rich Rodriguez.
The aim of the workshop was to empower both students and coaches with basic storytelling concepts and techniques.
The semi-finals will be held at the Inquirer main office on Oct. 25. The finals will be held during the Festival, which will be held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Nov. 12 and 13.
Those who wish to come may call Ellen at tel. 8978808 ext. 329. Slots are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Last Thursday, the Inquirer Read-Along went to Pasig City for a session with more than 60 students from the Good Shepherd Montessori School.
Learning in style
The students learned the importance of finding one’s own strength and talent through the stories read by Posh Develos of Ang Pinoy Storytellers, a group of professional storytellers in the country.
Develos read Rebecca Añonuevo’s “Mahiyaing Manok,” a story of how a shy rooster eventually learned to crow with his mother’s help, and Jomike Tejido’s “Si Dindo Pundido,” a story about a firefly who finds his own glow by doing heroic deeds like rescuing his siblings from danger.
Nine-year-old Zaila, a Grade 3 student, said she enjoyed the session, particularly Develos’ interactive storytelling. “She interacted with us and asked us to participate in reading the story, too, so it was fun,” she said.
Her classmate Nicole, 8, said she enjoyed the story “Si Dindo Pundido” the most because she learned to value the people around her better. “The moral lesson of the story is to not judge a person by their looks but by their character,” she said. “I love reading because it makes me smart.”
