Marq Dollentes and Emilee Jane Joseph at Inquirer Read-Along — Music artists Marq Dollente and Emilee Jane Joseph read together “Bakit Hindi Naka-Lipstik si Nanay?” (Photo by JAM STA. ROSA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

In celebration of National Women’s Month, about 70 schoolchildren learned the essence of inner beauty and fostering spiritual growth in the family during the Inquirer Read-Along session held at the newspaper’s Makati office on Saturday morning.

Guest readers were music artists and producers Marq Dollentes and Emilee Jane Joseph and principal Ann Abacan of Sophia School.

Dollentes and Joseph read in tandem Kora Dandan-Albano’s “Bakit Hindi Naka-Lipstik si Nanay?”, a story about a young girl who learns to appreciate the profound beauty and perseverance of her mother who works as a tricycle driver.

Dollentes said children should not be ashamed of whatever jobs their parents have.

“Whatever they can manage to do for a living to support the family, you have to be happy that your parents are doing that for you,” he said.

Joseph, meanwhile, emphasized that a woman’s true beauty is manifested from within.

“Beauty comes from deep within. Knowing who you are and what you have… you can be yourself and still have that beauty that you alone can carry,” she said.

Sophia School principal Ann Abacan read “Ate na si Arra!” by Blessie Padilla.

Ann Abacan at Inquirer Read-Along — Sophia School principal Ann Abacan reads “Ate Na si Arra!” (Photo by JAM STA. ROSA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

It tells of how a family has kept their faith and fortitude in a trying time when their newborn member is diagnosed with a serious illness.

The session also awarded students Cheska Jade Lentic of Maybunga Elementary School Annex and Maria Hayley Louisse Ymalay of Optimus Center for Development Inc.) for winning the essay writing and photography competitions, respectively, during the Inquirer Read-Along Festival held last November.

Hosted by writing editor Ruth Navarra-Mayo of Inquirer Lifestyle Super, the morning session was held in cooperation with school director Ma. Lourdes Chua of Good Shepherd Montessori School and Marinel Cruz of Inquirer Entertainment.

Inquirer Read-Along is a corporate sustainability and responsibility program of the Philippine Daily Inquirer that promotes love for reading among children.

Started in May 2007, the project has been held to about 50 cities nationwide and has reached more than 20,000 kids aged 7 to 13. /atm