For these kids, Read-Along is ‘one of a kind’

MANILA, Philippines—It was a “one of a kind” experience for the more than 100 students from Ubihan Elementary School—who had to cross the Marilao River on small boats from their school in Barangay Ubihan, Meycauayan—to attend Friday morning’s special Inquirer Read-Along session at SM Marilao—the first session for this year.

Together with their teachers, the students listened to stories about the value of gratefulness, obedience and concern for others as read to them by award-winning ventriloquist Ony Carcamo and Sophia School students and teachers.

They were also entertained by performances by the Sophia School Strings and Sophia School Terpsichoreans. The session was part of Sophia School’s 17th anniversary celebration.

Grade 4 Sophia students Kryztelle Mae de Serra and Keanna Angela Sotto together read Adarna House’s “Bakit Basag ang Bahay Balat ng Pagong (Why is the turtle’s shell cracked)?” which is about the value of obedience. Sophia School teachers read Rosario Calma’s “Rosa Albina,” about a rose-colored carabao who learns the value of getting along with others despite their differences.

Easily drawn to puppets

Carcamo, a former newsman and advertising executive turned full-time ventriloquist, read “Ang Baboy na Nangarap Maging Leon,” which tells of a pig that eventually learns to be thankful for his own talents. Reading with him was his puppet, a playful and curious gorilla named “Dingdong.”

“Reading to children is really different from reading to adults,” said Carcamo, who is no stranger to storytelling. “Children are usually more easily drawn to puppets, especially animal characters,” he added.

A Palanca award-winning short story author and poet, Carcamo made Dingdong himself using wood and other materials. “To become a ventriloquist, you have to really love puppets,” he said.

Prima Quizon, officer in charge of Ubihan Elementary School, thanked Sophia School and the Inquirer for giving the students “a one of a kind experience.”

Unforgettable experience

“This event will surely be an unforgettable experience for the children. This was the first time they were able to participate in an event where storytellers read to them. You can really see that they were excited and they all wanted to participate actively,” Quizon said, adding that the session served to encourage the children to read more.

For nine-year-old Jeltia Ramos, her favorite story was “Rosa Albina.” “It was my first time to experience other people reading to us stories that way, so I really enjoyed it,” she said, adding that the story taught her to be humble and appreciative of other people.

Her schoolmate, eight-year-old Joana Manaoag, said that she enjoyed the Read-Along because she loves to read. “I enjoy reading Tagalog and English stories because I learn a lot,” she said. Of the stories read, Joana said her favorite was Kuya Ony’s. “It’s a funny and interesting story. And I enjoyed watching Dingdong talk.”

A revelation

Alicia Peña, mother of one of the students, said the session proved to be a revelation: “My child is really shy and this was the first time I’d seen him actively participating and even answering the questions of the storytellers,” she said.

Maribeth Castro, Sophia School teacher and mother of one of the students who performed, said she was proud of the students who participated in the Read-Along. “It was not just a mere performance for them. They knew that they were participating in a cause so they were excited to share their talents. They learned a lot not only from the books that were read but also from the experience of being with other children and doing something that had an impact on other people.”

Friday’s session, hosted by Inquirer Libre editor in chief Chito de la Vega, was held in cooperation with Metrobank Malhakan branch, Magnorian Trading Dealer of Magnolia Health Drink, School Book IT Solutions, Shakey’s SM Marilao, Chansel Pizza House and Jo-es Publishing.