Pinoy Kuwentista: Melanie “Melai” Abad-Ramirez

Melai has found her center in storytelling!

The blog's Pinoy Kuwentista is Ms. Melanie "Melai" Ramirez. She is the section head of the Children's Library Services of the National Library of the Philippines. As a storyteller, Melai has told stories and performed in Bangkok, Singapore and Germany in conferences and festivals there. Get to know more of her storytelling journey in this blog interview.

Kailan at paano mo nalaman na isa kang storyteller?

Nagsimula ang propesyon ko bilang storyteller/kuwentista noon ika - 23 ng Abril 2005 sa Pambansang Aklatan ng Pilipinas na kung saan nagkaroon ng isang pagsasanay sa pagkukuwento ng isang grupo ng mga kuwentista at ito ay ang “Alitaptap Storyteller’s Philippines” na pinapamunuan ni Sir Manolo Silayan, isang batikang Kuwentista na sya naging mentor ko sa pagsasanay. Dahil dito ako ay naging miyembro ng grupo na ito. Nagsasanay at isinasalang sa mga aktibidades ng grupo na ito. Noong itinatag ang Children’s Section ng Pambansang Aklatan ng Pilipinas na kung saan ako ang librarian, ito ay naging daan para ipakita ang aking natutunan sa pagkukuwento at naging trabaho ko na ang magpasaya sa mga bata sa pamamagitan ng pagkukuwento.

Ano ang paborito mong ikuwento at bakit?

Ang paborito kong ikuwento ay ang ARAW SA PALENGKE na isinulat ni May Tobias Papa. Nasabi kong paborito ko ito dahil sa kuwentong ito nagamit ko ang mga natutunan ko sa Alitaptap Storyteller’s Philippines na pinamumunuan ni Sir Manolo Silayan. Itong kuwento na ito ang aking ginamit para mapasali ako sa Contest na Read Along ng Philippine Daily Inquirer na napasama sa finalist. Ito rin ang naging daan para makilala ko ang sumulat ng kuwentong ito. Ang “Araw sa Palengke” ang kauna unahang kinuwento ko na nilapatan ko ng orihinal na istilo sa pagkukuwento gaya ng mga salitang “Suki Suki Bili na Kayo” na may aksyon at mga salitang nakakaaliw sa mga bata.

Magbigay ka ng isang karanasan sa pagkukuwento na hindi mo makakalimutan?

Isa sa mga karanasan ko na di ko makakalimutan sa pagkukuwento ay noong inanyayahan ako na magkuwento sa mga batang may sakit na Kanser sa Philippine General Hospital (PGH) sa araw ng aking kaarawan. Ang nais ko ay mapasaya sila sa pamamagitan ng pagkukuwento ko at maibsan ang kanilang nararamdaman na sakit habang sila ay ginagamot. Ako ay nagulat na lahat sila ay may ngiti sa labi at humahalakhak habang nakikinig. Pagkatapos ko magkuwento sila naman ang naghandog ng regalo sa akin kinantahan nila ako na may Cake at Kandila para hipan ko, at niyakap para magpasalamat sa mga sandaling iyon na napasaya ko sila. Abot abot ang aking saya sa ginawa nilang pagbati sa akin.

Melai in action. At a storytelling event in Bangkok, Thailand.

Ano ang maibibigay mong “tip” o payo paransa kuwentistang nagsisimula pa lamang?

Ang dapat lang tatandaan ng mga kuwentistang nagsisimula pa sa larangan ng pagkukuwento ay isa PUSO at may PASYON sa pagkukuwento. Maging Interactive at Enthusiastic sa mga bata at higit sa lahat mahaba ang PASENSYA sa mga nakikinig.

Melai's activities in storytelling can be read through her Facebook account. Check Kwentista Ramirez and discover the many services and programs she help conduct in the National Library of the Philippines.

Imagine! Play! Wonder! Storytelling Workshop 2017: 10 Reasons Why This Workshop Matters

Imagine! Play! Wonder! Storytelling Workshop by Zarah C. Gagatiga from Zarah Gagatiga

Storytelling: Take a Little Walk Bear

Throwback video. During the 3rd Philippine Literary Festival, I conducted a Storytelling Workshop with Darrel Marco and Audrey Anday as co-facilitators. The workshop was sponsored by my publisher, Lampara Books. Thanks to Chris Danger for the video!

I first heard Take a Little Walk Bear from Margaret Read McDonald back in 2002 during the 2nd Storytelling Conference in Singapore. I tell this story to end a storytelling session and to bid participants goodbye.



Want more stories like this? Come join us on August 25, 2017 at the San Beda Library, Alabang. Storytelling Now!

Pinoy Kuwentista: Anna Rhea Manuel

The blog's Storyteller of the Month is Ms. Anna Rhea Manuel.

Anna Rhea Manuel is a reading teacher, performer, and storyteller. She finished her Master's in Reading Education at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, where she also did her Bachelor's in Education, major in English minor in SPED. She wants to bring more stories to alternative systems of education and various creative platforms. For Anna Rhea, stories are the most powerful tools we have in understanding, connecting, and thriving with other human beans.

1. What is your origin story? 

As a professional storyteller, it started 2 years ago when I decided to bring stories outside the walls of schools. I've always known firsthand the power of stories, being a teacher and a reading advocate. I talked to people about it and one of my friends said I can use the 2nd floor of her restaurant to do my activities with kids and their families on Saturdays. The birth of Heads and Tales is anchored on the belief that reading allows for and creates empathy in the readers. 

2. What makes Heads and Tales Storytelling Caravan different from other storytelling program, troupe or organization? Why in Thailand?

As far as I know, I'm in the only one doing the storytelling professionally in English in Thailand. Being a home to Thais who want to learn English and expats who are seeking an English experience for their kids, I've found this niche to spread stories and the love for reading. What makes Heads and Tales unique is first and foremost, the quality of instruction and performance. I am a reading teacher and a theatre performer and musician - these skill sets help me in designing age-appropriate instruction and behavior management, as well as entertainment. Second, its roving nature allows it to bring stories to children in different spaces - libraries, schools, galleries, exhibit halls, community malls, parties, festivals, and homes. Third, it offers various workshops both for children and adults - which includes how to tell stories, storybook making, music in storytelling, and family literacy. 

3. Please share success stories about Heads and Tales.

One of the happiest success stories is that of creating a community of families in my Sunday Storytelling group. Two mommies offered their homes for us to conduct weekly storytelling sessions - where we did stories and story-related art activities. The group grew and grew so on Sundays, while the kids were with me, the mommies had their own mommy bonding sessions and skill sharing classes. It is a great deal for me that Heads and Tales has brought families together!

Another success is that I've seen more and more interest in making storytelling performances a part of birthday parties and holiday events. It's amazing to see how stories are becoming a part of these gatherings!

In the past 2 years, Heads and Tales has initiated and participated in various activities and events, one of which is Wonderfruit, a Lifestyle Festival in Thailand, in which I curated Camp Wonder, the family activity tent. Heads and Tales brought in visual artists, environmentalists, and a Capoeira group to conduct activities in this 4-day event. This December we will be doing it once more!

4. Can Heads and Tales be replicated or adopted/adapted in the Philippines? What opportunities and limitations does this kind of program present?

Definitely replicable - and this is one of its main goals - to spread  memorable and meaningful reading experiences to more people and settings. The caravan programs cater to a diverse audience - kids of different age groups, teachers, librarians, parents, au pairs, basically anyone who has a child in their care. A key element in running these are storytellers on the ground who  (1) have a fair understanding and respect for children, (2) are willing to learn/grow in the craft of storytelling, and because I will be working remotely, (3) are organized and reliable.

5. Where is the caravan going next?

Heads and Tales is on its way to Melbourne starting August. It is still ongoing in Bangkok with new storytellers. 

6. What is your favorite story to tell?

In Filipino - "Si Pilong Patago-Tago" by Kristine Canon. 

In English, "Please Mr. Panda" by Steve Antony.

7. Recommend 5 books/stories for storytelling

• The Girl Who Always Looked at People's Shoes by Liwliwa Malabed
• Xilef by Augie Rivera
• What Do You Do with an Idea? By Kobi Yamada
• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
• What Happens Next? By Tull Suwannakit

For more information, visit the Facebook Page Page of Heads and Tales Storytelling: www.facebook.com/rovingstorytelling

Get in touch with Anna Rhea via  anna.headsandtales@gmail.com

Mabuhay ang Pinoy Kuwentista!

My 2016 In Retrospect: My Life as A Storyteller

One of the amazing things that happened to me last year was the recognition and appreciation I received from peers in the culture and the arts. Museo Pambata included my work and the advocacy I do on literacy development and reading in the Paglaki Ko Room: Gusto Ko Maging Kuwentista. I owe it to Museo Pambata since they gave me the opportunity to be a storyteller. I started out as a volunteer storyteller in their afternoon storytelling sessions back in the 90s. Padayon!

Here is a bit of history about the building of the Paglaki Ko Room told in blog links:

Letter of Invitation: Paglaki ko, gusto ko maging kuwentista - It was in August 2015 when I got the letter from Museo Pambata. Of course, I was shocked first. Then, elated. The reality that I am old hit me last.

The Ang Paglaki Ko Room in Museo Pambata - The Kuwentista Room is part of the Ang Paglaki Ko Exhibit that showcases the writing, illustrating and telling of stories to children and the young at heart. Visit the room in Museo Pambata! It is an interactive room where kids can actually write, draw, listen and view recorded videos of storytellers. It is so cool!

Kuwentista Room Launching Day - Here's how we celebrated the launching of the Kuwentista Room. All storytellers featured in the exhibit told stories, live!

There was a time when I thought of giving up on telling stories. But, Philip Pullman reminded me that stories and storytelling are the things we need most in the world.

Librarian On TV: Ang Pinaka Touching Random Acts Kindness

Once again, I am a panelist in the TV program, Ang Pinaka. The top ten this week is all about random acts of kindness. What a timely topic since tomorrow is Easter Sunday!

I myself was touched by the top ten choices that when the crew came over at home for the interview and taping, I was teary eyed. But I felt good. Really good. I hope that tomorrow's episode will inspire you or will make you think of the goodness that still resides in the hearts of people.

These acts of kindness may have been done by individuals and a selected few. It may not solve global problems and world hunger. In pastoral care, though, an act of kindness is a great deed because it uplifts the human spirit.

Ang Pinaka is telecast in GMA News TV, every Sunday at 6.30PM.