The March 21 storytelling session featured celebrity guest reader Patricia Tumulak, first officer Lilybeth Tan-Ng and Read-Along veteran storyteller Dyali Justo. Returning to the Philippine Airlines Museum in Pasay City, where a session was held in August last year, the Read-Along welcomed around 20 children of PAL employees. Students from Sabang Elementary School in Sabang, San Jose, Camarines Sur, also joined virtually. The program began with a message from Idda Aguilar, manager of internal and public relations, marketing department at PAL, who warmly welcomed the children and their parents. “This read-along is a celebration of dreams, possibilities and the inspiring journeys of women who take flight,” Aguilar said. The session focused on empowering stories for children, especially young girls, that emphasized the value of perseverance and achieving one’s dreams while breaking gender stereotypes.

Skirts and skies

Tumulak, a beauty queen and actress, read “Isay’s Skirt is Getting Smaller” written by Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag and illustrated by Abigail D. Gabriel. It tells the story of the girl Isay who, while having her old school uniform altered for a better fit, learns about resourcefulness and practicality. Tan-Ng, who also serves as the assistant vice president for pilot affairs at PAL, read “Fly With Her,” which tells the story of Ira, a girl who achieves her dreams of becoming a pilot. The read-along served as the launch of the storybook written by Irish Bautista and Mica Dela Rosa and illustrated by Kim Alexis Santiago. “We want little girls to have open minds and be creative and reach for their goals [not bound by] the usual stereotypes,” Tan-Ng said during the forum that followed. “Know that if you want something, any kind of career, you just go for it.” Addressing the parents, she said supporting their children’s dreams is just as important as encouraging them to dream high. To cap this part of the program, the children had an activity where they made paper planes out of a dedicated page from the storybook.

Easier to connect

Justo narrated “The Maiden Who Defeated the King,” as retold by Christine S. Bellen and illustrated by Elbert Or. The story is about a wise and brave woman who consistently met the challenges given to her by a king. Justo, familiar to Read-Along participants as “Ate Dyali,” said being a mother and an educator allowed her to connect easier with children, an advantage that women storytellers have. “When you face children, they don’t perceive your gender,” she said. “What they see is you as a storyteller.” Also present at the event was Capt. Stanley Ng, president and chief operating officer of PAL. Inquirer Lifestyle editor Ruth Navarra-Mayo hosted the program, which was also livestreamed on Inquirer social media platforms. Launched in May 2007 by the Inquirer Research Department and Junior Inquirer, the Read-Along program aims to promote love of reading among children.