D.E.A.R. Time: Drop Everything And Read Time

I was asked to do storytelling for kids at SM City Sta. Rosa, Laguna yesterday in celebration of National Children's Book Reading Day.

Now on its third year of committed service in promoting an environment of continuous learning and values education, the event was highlighted by a book reading of Dr. Jose Rizal’s "Ang Pagong at ang Matsing" in commemoration of the national hero’s 150th birth anniversary. The program was held at the Event Centre, 10AM. SM also donated books to the Sta. Rosa City Special School as part of SM Foundation’s Donate-a-Book program. The event was held in partnership with the Department of Education, the National Book Development Board, Vibal Publishing, BDO Foundation, SM Foundation and Inquirer Read-Along.

Susan, one of the storytellers

me :)

Reading the all time favorite fable of Dr. Jose Rizal’s “Ang Pagong at Ang Matsing” was truly a great honor for me.

an excerpt from the story book

I have prepared myself for the exciting challenge, since my last stint of storytelling was during the launch of Bear Brand at Glorietta, Makati last 2008. Let me share you the things I have listed:

Provide humor
Clarify and illustrate meaning
Make points memorable
Identify with the particular audience
Persuade the audience to their point of view
Encourage thinking
Inspire people to act
Build a shared vision
Relieve tension
Raise the energy level of the group

Fortunately, my audience was very cooperative and actively participated during the storytelling session. No problem. There were almost 70 students of Grades 3 and 4 levels from public elementary schools of Sta. Rosa, Laguna. As the DepEd representative encouraged the students, to have D.E.A.R time everyday - "Drop Everything And Read time", it was truly an inspiring event for the participants and for us storytellers as well. SM City Sta. Rosa, through SM Cares Committee on Youth and Children’s Welfare, simultaneously held the event with 40 other SM malls in the Philippines, as well as in China (SM Xiamen, SM Chengdu and SM Jinjiang) with their chosen celebrity storytellers. :)

Thanks to Ms. Pam Baun, SM Public Relations Officer; Ms. Armind Cajala, SM Marketing Manager and Mr. Dominador Caringal Jr, SM Mall Manager for the opportunity.