MANILA, Philippines--The day still belonged to mothers during Sunday’s Inquirer Read-Along session held for the first time in the country’s biggest mall.

The session, held in the atrium of SM Mall of Asia, featured Pinoy Dream Academy contender RJ Jimenez and returning Alitaptap storyteller Charlyn Chua as readers.

The Read-Along program, which aims to promote love of reading among children aged seven to 13 through storytelling sessions, was launched on May 6 last year as an initiative of the Inquirer Research Department, Inquirer Library and Junior Inquirer.

It celebrated its first anniversary on Saturday with a photo exhibit, two-day book fair and a Read-Along session with the theme “Amazing Moms (Amazing Year!)” featuring celebrity moms Lani Mercado and Daphne Oseña-Paez.

Sunday’s session was opened by Inquirer mascot Guyito dancing to the rap hit “Low,” which attracted a huge crowd.

Chua read “Why Is Mommy Late?” the story of a young girl impatiently waiting for her mother to pick her up from school. The young audience, despite the mall’s distractions, were cooperative.

“The children were very active, very responsive,” Chua said. “The book [I read] had illustrations where you had to find the character’s mommy and they were really studying these drawings.”

Personal twist

While Chua read her story, singer RJ Jimenez was a bundle of nerves backstage.

“This was my first time reading to children,” he said. “[Cha] was very good. After watching her, I felt nervous.”

Jimenez, a former contestant in the reality talent search “Pinoy Dream Academy,” read Rene O. Villanueva’s “Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Lola,” but added a personal twist: He read the story in the first person.

“I’m going to tell you a story about my grandmother,” he told the children.

Did he plan this?

“I did,” he said, smiling. “I thought the audience would understand the story better if I added something personal. That’s what I do when I write my songs.”

Jimenez ended the session by singing “All My Life” and his own composition titled “Miss Kita ’Pag Tuesday.”

He dedicated both songs to all the mothers present in the atrium.

“I enjoyed reading to the kids,” he said. “I would love to do this again.”

Next session

The children who attended the session were given free copies of Junior Inquirer and a chance to join the JI Club which gives members discounts in partner stores and participation in special events.

JI staffer Ruth Navarra said members will have an exclusive Read-Along session with a celebrity reader of their choice.

Sessions are held on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at the Inquirer office on Chino Roces Avenue in Makati City.

Inquirer Read-Along has had a total of 30 sessions featuring over 40 celebrity readers, and has held storytelling sessions in venues outside the Inquirer office, including an orphanage, Philippine General Hospital and malls.

The next session, scheduled on May 24 at the Inquirer office in Makati, will feature broadcast journalist Karen Davila.

Interested parties may call Ellen Caparros or Girlie Refran at 897-8808, local 329. Those interested in donating books for the program may e-mail inquirer-readalong@inquirer.com.ph