‘Storyteller charm’ does trick for actress in Read-Along Festival

Award-winning actress Lotlot de Leon reads “Ang Mahiyaing Manok” during the afternoon session of the 6th Inquirer Read-Along Festival on Friday.—PHOTOS BY ARNOLD ALMACEN

It may have been her first time to read a book to an audience, but award-winning actress Lotlot de Leon exuded great storyteller charm as she concluded the first day of the 6th Read-Along Festival, which was held at the Inquirer main office on Friday.

“I really love reading to my kids. So this storytelling is like reliving the experience,” De Leon shared.

She also said it felt great to interact with the kids and see them actively participate when she asked questions. “Actually, I felt nervous at first because we don’t know how the kids will react or if they will interact. But I saw the kids enjoying so I enjoyed it too.”

De Leon shared that her daughter, actress Janine Gutierrez, said she had a fun experience in the Read-Along when she read last September so she felt encouraged to also participate.

“It’s very important to promote reading to kids. They will really learn a lot from reading books,” De Leon said. “Even if they haven’t been to one place or haven’t experienced a particular event yet, through books their imagination will work and they’ll be able to form their own thoughts or feelings or questions. That learning process is very important.”

De Leon read “Ang Mahiyaing Manok” by Rebecca Añonuevo and Ruben de Jesus. The story is about a shy young rooster who felt out of place among the other roosters because it cannot crow as loud as the others.

“Being shy is okay. But it should reach a point where you will be able to surpass that and you’ll find trust in your own self. You can do it in small steps, little by little. The important thing is to overcome that and be confident of your own self,” she said.

The other featured reader in the session attended by a hundred kids was professional storyteller and teacher Dyali Justo who read “Anita the Duckling Diva” by Anne Curtis-Smith. Justo will be among the judges in the festival storytelling competition, which will be held during the afternoon session of the festival’s second day.

De Leon and veteran Read-Along storyteller Dyali Justo pose with the kids after the reading session.

Inquirer mascot Guyito has a grand time with the kids at the Read-Along Festival.