Girls learn they have ‘the power’ at Read-Along

ACTRESS-BEAUTY queen Princess Manzon reads a story about women empowerment during the Inquirer Read-Along session Saturday to mark the International Day of the Girl Child. ARNOLD ALMACEN

Girl power was alive and kicking at last Saturday’s Inquirer Read-Along session, which was held to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

Featured storytellers—actress and beauty queen Princess Manzon and returning storyteller Rich Rodriguez of Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines—regaled over 100 children with stories about women empowerment and respect for women.

Manzon read “Si Neneng ng Islang Pangarap,” a story about a young girl who prepared for a coming storm. Written by Beverly Bicaldo, it was an original story prepared by Plan International, a child-focused humanitarian nongovernment organization which Manzon belongs to.

The actress, who is in the independent film “Bayang Magiliw,” has been with Plan International since she was 10 years old.

While reading the story, Manzon, a former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate, would stop to ask the audience if they had experienced similar instances as  portrayed in the story. She then gave tips on how to prepare for natural disasters.

Rodriguez capped the session with a lively reading of “Ang Babaeng Tumalo sa Mahal na Datu (The Maiden Who Defeated the King),” part of the “Ang Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang” series as retold by Christine Bellen. The book, published by Anvil, tells of how a young girl was able to outsmart a cunning king through sheer wit and bravery.

Experienced storyteller Rodriguez drew laughs with his wacky and interactive retelling and was mobbed by the kids after his segment like a movie star, asking for his autograph.

Manzon, who was a runnerup in this year’s Miss Philippines Earth competition, described her first Read-Along experience “as much fun and very fulfilling.”

“I deal with kids a lot, both with Plan International and with the Miss Earth Foundation. So when I was invited to the Read-Along, I just could not say no. I share the advocacy of  Inquirer Read-Along. It also felt great to be able to read to children a story about a strong young girl,” Manzon said.

“I am also specially happy to be able to sharewith kids this particular story because today (Oct. 13) is International Day for Disaster Reduction,” she added.

Lydia Domingo, Gender Advisor of Plan International, explained that they chose the story “Si Neneng ng Islang Pangarap” because “women and girls have always been portrayed as victims in disasters. But that is not, and should not be, the case.”

Plan International launched on Oct. 11, its global “Because I Am a Girl” campaign which aims to empower girls to combat discrimination.

The kids found the stories motivating. For 9-year-old Hannah Lorilla, the story “Si Neneng ng Islang Pangarap” was particularly inspiring. “I liked Neneng because she was smart,” she said. “I also learned that preparedness is important.”

Six-year-old Lance Lopez shared Lorilla’s sentiment, describing Neneng as “smart, hardworking and honorable” and that he realized “the importance of being alert and prepared during calamities.”

Ten-year-old kids River Ribaya and Paul Dado picked “Ang Babaeng Tumalo sa Mahal na Datu” as their favorite.

“I liked the moral of the story. I learned not to hurt girls and that they should be treated right,” Ribaya said.

Dado liked the story’s female protagonist, saying that “she was smart and strong, really admirable.”

Members of the  Group of Parents and Teachers Association (GPTA) of St. Anthony of Makati Montessori, one of the program’s regular partners, said the Inquirer Read-Along “is effective in teaching children to learn to love reading.”

“It is important to encourage reading in children because it is their first step towards learning,” said Joan Coronel, one of the group’s members. “The program also helps children gain many moral lessons from the characters in the stories.”

“It is important to encourage children to read because children these days would much rather play computer games than read books,” said Ray Colon, member.

“I liked today’s session because I think the children could learn how to become strong, smart and responsible,” he added.

For GPTA’s Sharmaine Lopez, the program has resulted in concrete results, with her son “really starting to enjoy reading.”

Saturday’s session, hosted by Edna Garcia from the Inquirer’s marketing department, was held in cooperation with Plan International and St. Anthony of Makati Montessori School. With reports from Schatzi Quodala, Marielle Medina, Mary Beatrice Ponce, Inquirer Research