Storytelling Using Props

Ended a fun filled storytelling session at De La Salle Zobel, Lower Grades Library for Prep students earlier today. I did not use any book. The gig was not sponsored by Anvil or any publishing house so I had the liberty to choose my stories. Writing Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories, afforded me this opportunity. My repertorie included Ibong Adarna, folk tales from the Cordilleras, draw and tell stories and yes, The Bandana Man. Shout out to Dianne de Las Casas!



For my telling of the Ifugao tale, Sallak-en and the first pomelo, I used a rainmaker and a drum (bought from Sagada) to chant my way through the story. The kids clapped and joined in the rhythm. One teacher, Teacher Aisa, shook the rainmaker as we rolled along the chant! It was fun!



Towards the end of the session, I used my malong to spice up the retelling of Ang Ibong Adarna. The kids and the adults could not help but laugh and be awed. I should really be doing this more often because, I felt like walking on air. I'm still grinning from ear to ear at the memory of this afternoon's sessions.

There are so many ways to tell stories. With out a book, I felt so free to express and communicate the meaning and relevance of the story to my kids. One teacher realized how novel the style was. Yes, I told her. I'm keeping up with the oral tradition. Our folk tales are dying and we need to resuscitate them.