7 finalists in Read-Along storytelling contest bared

FINAL ROUND The seven finalists of this year’s Inquirer Read-Along Festival Storytelling Competition pose with the Inquirer staff after the semifinal round held on Saturday. From them will emerge the storytelling champion who will be crowned as the Festival Queen or King.

Seven young storytellers emerged as finalists in this year’s Inquirer Read-Along Festival Storytelling Competition after the semifinal round held on Saturday at the Inquirer office in Makati.

The Read-Along storytelling competition finalists are: Zoe Kayla Cheng, Joshua Miguel Untalan, Pio Miguel Ng, Reeve Angelo Penuliar, Crisha Kaye Coja, Princess Angel Macapagal, and Jeric Napigue.

Now in its eighth year, the two-day festival, set for Nov. 16-17, is an annual event in celebration of National Reading Month.

With the theme “Maging Magiting,” the festival of marathon storytelling will feature celebrities and role models as guest storytellers.

Festival Queen or King

The festival’s highlight would be the crowning of the Festival Queen or King, the storytelling champion among students aged 7 to 12.

The semifinalists read the story “Ngumiti si Andoy,” a story written by Xi Zuq and illustrated by Dominic Agsaway.

All contestants underwent an intensive one-day workshop divided into three batches on Sept. 22, 29 and Oct. 6 at the Inquirer office in Makati and SSA in Quezon City.

It was attended by a record-high 168 students aged 7 to 12, accompanied by 21 teachers as their storytelling coaches, from 13 schools in Metro Manila, Cavite and Rizal provinces.

Participants learned the basics of book-based storytelling, body language and the delivery of appropriate questions, as well as storytelling techniques in eye contact, facial expressions, diction and voice modulation, poise and pacing.

Only the workshop participants who have not won in any previous storytelling contest are eligible to join the competition and vie for the title of Festival Storytelling King or Queen during the second day of the Inquirer Read-Along Festival on Nov. 17.

11 semifinalists

Eleven semifinalists from 88 young storytellers were chosen after the elimination rounds held on Oct. 13.

Inquirer Read-Along is a corporate social responsibility of the Inquirer, which aims to teach love for reading among children. Since 2007, more than 20,000 children aged 7 to 13 from over 50 cities nationwide have joined the program, which has featured over 400 celebrities and role models as storytellers.

Those interested in joining the festival may call Odeng Orolaza at (02)897-8808 extension 330, or e-mail [email protected]. Slots are available on a first come, first served basis. —Marielle Medina