'Kuwentong Bata, Kuwentistang Bata,' the 2012 Lampara story telling competition

STORYTELLING has been part of every Filipino's life for so long. It is an age-old tradition among Filipinos to pass on information and stories from one person to another. The stories have spread before you even say the saying "spread the word." Along with these stories are values, traditions and a culture that the elders would want to pass on to their children.

Today, the culture of "kwentuhan," storytelling among families and friends are still there. Filipinos do love to tell stories. Stories about their own life, others and things that surround them. It is a way of learning from someone else's experiences, having to live someone else's life vicariously. Storytelling is also a popular tool that teachers use in their lessons and classrooms. Parents also use storytelling as a tool to teach their children values and other things.

In its aim to promote the love for reading among children, Lampara Publishing House Inc., one of the leading children's books publisher in the country partners with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (Peta) to bring a new and exciting experience to children storytellers.

Lampara and Peta invite elementary school students to join this year’s competition. There will be two categories: Category A - Grades 1 to 4 and Category B - Grades 5 to 7.

Finals will be held at the Mall of Asia-SMX. Big prizes await this year's top three winners.

Registration forms are available at the Peta Theater Center in Quezon City and in all Precious Pages outlets.

Deadline for registration is on August 7, 2012. Register now for a fun experience of learning, creating and telling of different stories!

For more information, please call Yeyin dela Cruz or Patricia Liwanag at the Kuwentong Bata, Kuwentistang Bata Secretariat at 725-6244, 4100821, thru mobile numbers 09179002665, 09155027740 or email petastorytelling@yahoo.com. (PR)