Puppet Show, Storytelling at Taguig City Mall

by Louise Marasigan

The National Children’s Book Dayis celebrated in the Philippines every third Tuesday of July each year, a time when book enthusiasts come together and even share their passion to others.

On Tuesday, July 16, activities such as puppet show and storytelling were held at a mall in Taguig City to celebrate the famed annual book month, inspiring not only avid reader adults but also captivating the imaginations of children.

National Children’s Book Day

In celebration of the 41 st National Children’s Book Day, performers and book lovers gathered on Tuesday, July 16, at Taguig City, where they immersed in different activities ranging from puppet show to storytelling, read-aloud sessions, and song-dance segments. The event was organized by the International Board on Books for Young People.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Board on Books for Young People celebrated the National Children’s Book Day in the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box Theater) at CCP Complex in Pasay City on Tuesday. The event remembers “The Monkey and the Turtle” folktale by Jose Rizal. The material appeared in the July 1889 issue of Trubner’s Oriental Record in London.

The Importance of Storytelling

Storytelling is a unique way of sharing narratives to other people. Whether the content is fiction,

non-fiction, or factual, it has been proven to be an effective method when it comes to bringing untold narratives to life. Throughout history, storytelling has been a part of human culture, especially when it comes to passing information and beliefs to the younger generation.

In the modern educational system, storytelling fosters listening skills, cultural understanding, language, and communication among kids. Even in other settings, including inside the household, families can engage in storytelling. In fact, the Department of Education (DepEd) mentioned before that stories can be more effective than traditional lectures.

Through storytelling from children’s books and other relevant materials, kids can be more inspired and engaged. This is in comparison with the conventional, information-loaded lectures conducted in schools based on recent research, according to DepEd.