MANILA, Philippines?Kids took a stand against smoking at last Saturday?s Inquirer Read-Along which was held on the 15th anniversary of Junior Inquirer (JI) which was culminating its campaign against tobacco.

The read-along was held at the Museo Pambata at Rizal Park in Manila.

Featured reader magician Alakim (Allan de Paz), a finalist in the reality show ?Pilipinas Got Talent,? read Segundo D. Matias Jr.?s ?Ang Usok at si Daddy (Smoke and Daddy),? while returning storytellers from Sophia School in Meycauyan, Bulacan, read ?How Cigarettes Affect the Body,? written by Sophia teacher Doray Carable. Both stories tell of the hazards of smoking.

After reading his story, Alakim, a first-time storyteller, gave tips on how to prevent cigarette addiction while working his magic tricks.

?Smoking is an unnecessary evil. Stay away from people who smoke,? he said in Filipino, simultaneously making a cigarette disappear and reappear.

Sophia School principal Ann Abacan and teachers Nerry Denilla, Salie Villaluz and Dhang Bernabe danced to the song ?Yosi Kadiri? by Gerry Cornejo, former corporate affairs director of one of the biggest tobacco companies in the country and a founding director of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP).

Poster-making contest

Also featured at the session was an exhibit of 15 posters made by the finalists in Junior Inquirer?s ?A Smoke Free World? poster-making contest.

The contest was launched in April together with FCAP, a nongovernment organization which pushes for policies to control the use of tobacco.

The posters depicted the effects of smoking, the fight against tobacco and the hope for a tobacco-free world.

The contest winner was Nicole Gomez, 12, of Miriam College grade school who bested around 350 contestants from all over the country.

In second place was 9-year-old Wilfred Ang Chan while Ana Jacintha Jimenez, 8, was third.

Other finalists were Andrew Brandon Ong, Kathleen Alissa Jayme, Raphael Philip Chua, Hannah Esteves, Vren Protacio, Ma. Angelica Mariano, Maria Isabel Ilagan, Veronica Gayle Tiu Tangcueco, William Joseph Buhayo, Jamia Mei Tolentino, Raymond Xavier Mercado and Noelle Garalde.

Judges, finalists, winners

The judges included Inquirer Associate Editor Abelardo Ulanday, FCAP creative director Jam Jacob, JI illustrator Steph Bravo and Inquirer Libre Graphic Artist Richie Sabado.

The finalists received art kits from the National Bookstore Foundation, gift bags and premium Inquirer items.

The top three winners also received Inquirer subscriptions for their schools and cash prizes.

FCAP Executive Director Dr. Ma. Encarnita Limpin said it was important for young people to be aware of the effects of smoking because ?they are very vulnerable but very influential.?

About life, health

She said the antismoking campaign was ?not just about smoking but about life and health.?

Seven-year-old Aoyama Ashie Amado, a first-time read-along participant, said she enjoyed the session.

?Not only did I get to see magic but I also learned more about the dangers of smoking. I will tell my tito who is a heavy smoker what smoking can do to one?s lungs so he will stop,? she said.

The session was sponsored by Magnolia Fruit Drinks, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog, Probe Media Foundation, National Bookstore Foundation, Museo Pambata and Inquirer.net.

Most of the funds used for the antismoking campaign came from a grant Junior Inquirer won from FCAP through Probe Media Foundation.

Around 130 children from JI Snoops, JI Club, St. Alphonsus Liguori Integrated School and Isabelo de los Reyes Elementary School and the winners of the JI poster-making contest came to the session.

Exhibit at Museo Pambata

The 15 posters will be on display at Museo Pambata on Sept. 1-15. The campaign was the kicker for the 15th anniversary celebration of Junior Inquirer. The magazine was hailed by Unicef and the Philippine Press Institute as Best Children?s Newspaper for five straight years until its induction into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

?There will be more events and anniversary-related articles and contests in the coming months so the kids better be on the lookout for that,? said JI editor in chief Ruth Navarra.

The next read-along will be held at the Inquirer offices on Chino Roces Avenue, Makati, on Sept. 11.

Interested participants may contact Ellen Caparros at 8978808 ext. 329. Slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.