In culmination of the Reading Month 2024 themed, “Reading: A Catalyst for Creative Innovation, A Vanguard of an Enduring Civilization”, the Elementary Department of Saint Joseph College transformed the Bishop Hacbang Gym into a wonderland filled with stories that shapes the children of today, on November 28, 2024.
The whole day’s event started with a holy mass presided by Fr. Jersen Jerome Paler and was then followed by the Book Character Costume Contest which was participated by the Grade 2 and Grade 3 pupils. The young cosplayers portrayed characters from their favorite stories like those from Disney and Marvel. They did not just simply parade their vibrant and colorful costumes but also gave life to the characters they portrayed.
The culmination program commenced in the afternoon and John Anthony Tomada, the Literary Editor of the Josephinian Magazine gave an insightful message to the pupils and everyone around about the magic of reading and how it can take you to different places and make you meet different individuals/characters. It was followed by the first scene of the entire program which is of three students visiting the library and from there, the magic started.
The audiences were transported to the ancient Philippine lands when the Grade 1 St. Elizabeth pupils performed a dance portraying the legend, Si Malakas at Si Maganda. And then they were off to the land of fairies with another dance from the Grade 1 St. Martin pupils. The next performance made everyone dance with their emotions on the Inside Out movie portrayed by the Grade 4 St. Francis of Assisi students. After that, the land of the dead in Coco was brought to life by the Grade 4 St. Therese of Lisieux students. And then, Andrea Bell Generan broke the dance streak by performing a song rendition of “How Far I’ll Go”, from Disney’s Moana with her guitar.
The Grade 5 St. Ezekiel pupils danced to the songs from Barbie Rock ‘N Royals with grace. It was followed by the energetic dance performance of the Grade 5 St. Bartholomew pupils portraying Barbie Princess and the Popstar. After that, Rapunzel was portrayed by three lovely singers namely, Demie, Andrea, and Francheska as they sang “When Will My Life Begin”. And then Xyri Ayn Elice Paco sang “Yesterday’s Dream”. The Marvel Superheroes rocked the stage after that as they were portrayed by the Grade 6 St. Paul students. And then Disney’s Princesses and Princes waltzed in the performance of the students from Grade 6 St. John Bosco.
After all the lively and adorable performances that transported the audience to the various story sets, there was an Awarding Ceremony for the competitions that were held throughout the month namely, Poetry, Spelling Bee, Story Retelling, Poster Making, Oral Reading, Essay Writing, Word e-Nigma, and Book Character Costume. The winners were also asked to perform their winning pieces for Poetry, Story Retelling , and Oral Reading. These events not only displayed the talents of the students in the different aspects of the English language but also fosters a love of reading for them, that will undoubtedly help them go places and experience adventures in the future.
“A book is an adventure waiting to happen”. In this Reading Month Culmination Program, the educators challenged the young learners to pursue reading and learn from all the stories they have read.
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Words: Venice Jane Palima | The Josephinian
Photos:
Saimar Joseph Basong | The Josephinian
Dion Keith Animos | SHS Media