Underscoring love for country in celebration of love month, children listened to inspiring stories of selflessness and humility during the Inquirer Read-Along session on Saturday morning at the Inquirer office in Makati City.

Featured readers were actress Agot Isidro and Gabby Padilla and veteran storyteller Ann Abacan, principal of Sophia School in Meycauayan City, Bulacan province.

Isidro read Rene Villanueva’s “Ang Alamat ng Papaya,” about the kindhearted Reyna Lingap and her loyal followers who protect the former from pirates.

Abacan read “Si Diwayen, Noong Bago Dumating ang mga Espanyol” by Augie Rivera. It is about Diwayen, a young slave who earns her freedom after saving a young princess from danger in the woods.

Isidro, a first-time Read-Along storyteller,  said love for one’s country could be shown in the little things that we do every day.

It’s how you live your daily life, from following traffic signs, crossing the streets in designated areas, helping in household chores, she added.

The part of the story that Isidro loved most is how the Pya-a people were emboldened because of the kindness of their leader.

“The Pya-a people, who were once oppressed, became the courageous ones who fought for their leader and their country. They were empowered because of the goodness of their leader. It’s very symbiotic,” Isidro said.

Isidro shows her love for her country by being excellent in her craft hoping that this would have a ripple effect.

“I always try to do the best that I can in every work that I do. It’s striving for excellence, striving for a meritocratic society that if you do good, be excellent in your work, then you get recognized and then also the community around you will join you because they see you as an example.”

Hosted by Junior Inquirer editor Ruth Navarra-Mayo, Saturday’s session was held in cooperation with Cel Amores, senior director for corporate communications of Ayala Foundation. WITH REPORTS FROM RAFAEL L. ANTONIO, Inquirer Research