Be an ALITAPTAP

I love children's stories. And I love telling them especially to my daughter. I feel like being transported into a different space and time through storytelling. I have a list of children's books that I oftentimes read to my daughter but Ang Magic Silya Ni Titoy has a sentimental value.

Ang Magic Silya ni Titoy is the very first story delivered by an Alitaptap Storyteller that I have listened to. Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines is the country's premier storytelling whose mission is to promote literacy through the art of storytelling. I remember it was Charlyn Chua who delivered the piece and I was mesmerized. I knew I wanted to be like her someday. I wanted to be a storyteller. I wanted to be an Alitaptap.

When I got pregnant, it was Ang Magic Silya ni Titoy that I bought so I can read to the baby in my womb. It was also the first story my daughter ever learned. It was the story that jumpstarted my love affair with stories for children.

When I learned about the ARTIST (Acting and Reading Techniques In StoryTelling) Workshop of Alitaptap, I got excited. It took me two years to find time and attend the workshop. I've been meaning to attend it for so long but I guess, it wasn't the right time. For P500, I got to meet one of the most admired storytellers in the Philippines - Mr. Manolo Silayan. I also met people who share the same passion. It was well worth it. The workshop taught me to engage my audience, to find ways to make my storytelling enjoyable, not only for my audience but for myself also. It also showed me how to loosen up, to be more confident and to savor every minute of being able to converse with children in a manner that appeals to them even if I am an adult. 

I hope that there would be more passionate people like those Alitaptap Storytellers who want to propagate the love for reading and I hope that there would be more children who prefer reading than watching TV.

SUPERWOMOM'S NOTES: If you are interested in the kind of work ALITAPTAP STORYTELLERS do, you may get in touch with them through this number 535-4689.