Actress Sylvia Sanchez reads a story to children during the Inquirer Read-Along program at the PDI office in Makati City. INQUIRER PHOTO / LEO M. SABANGAN II
In the spirit of the holiday season, tales emphasizing gratitude and kindness were told to some 150 children during a special Inquirer Read-Along session at Inquirer main office in Makati on Saturday morning.
Featured storytellers for the session were award-winning actress Sylvia Sanchez, veteran storyteller Rich Rodriguez and the teachers of the Sophia School in Meycauayan City, Bulacan.
Sanchez took an emotional rendition of the story “Bakit siya meron? Bakit ako wala?” by Christine Bersola-Babao. The story is a timely Christmas tale about the friendship of two children from different social classes. Often comparing their lives, they both longed for what the other has. The story concludes on Christmas Eve when they realize it is important to count one’s blessings and that happiness should not be based on material things.
Saturday’s session, hosted by Read-Along regular host Chito Dela Vega and Hands On Manila’s Marilou “Ate Balot” Prudente, was held in cooperation with Rei Abrazaldo and Gae Martinez of Allianz PNB Life Insurance, Eggshell Marketing, Hands On Manila, Dunkin Donuts, and Inquirer Entertainment.
Sanchez, who stars in ABS-CBN’s latest afternoon drama “Hanggang Saan,” shared that it’s her first time to read to kids. “The experience of reading to young children feels so good. It makes me feel fulfilled. It’s a new blessing for me to be able to talk in front of kids and have them listen to my story,” she said.
PDI Read Along with street kids at the PDI main office in Makati City. INQUIRER PHOTO / LEO M. SABANGAN II
“I enjoyed the noise and active participation of the kids. Though it was a bit difficult because there were kids crying and talking, I was able to practice my focus too. I gained that too from the experience of storytelling,” she added.
“I wanted the children to understand what jealousy is and that they should push it away because it can lead the kids to doing bad things,” Sanchez said. “This is not an easy thing to do because everyone gets jealous. It’s part of being human. But through self-love and prayers, we can overcome that and start appreciating what we have.”
Sanchez ended her storytelling session with a meaningful prayer of gratitude together with the children.
The kids from Saturday’s session were from Child Hope, St. Mary’s of the Woods Makati, and St. Mary’s Academy Manila. /jpv