August 28 & 29, 2009 | Makati and Alabang

Legends and myths of pirates and princesses, tales and chronicles of fairies and fantasy will come alive in Manila during this festival of adventure and excitement comprising two full days of storytelling performances and workshops.

Be spellbound by mythical tales, and learn about empowerment through storytelling with the arrival of a star-studded cast of international storytellers in Manila’s inaugural International Storytelling Festival 2009.

Paying special tribute to this oral tradition, the Festival will see the best of international storytellers joining their Filipino counterparts in showcasing their art through live storytelling performances.

Targeted not just for children, the festival offers a wide array of seminars for educators, parents, librarians, social workers and other professionals. Focusing on the craft of storytelling, these seminars use words as a medium to motivate, challenge and excite participants.

Through an exciting cast of globe-trotting storytellers, MISF is set to ignite the imagination with worlds woven into existence through words!

MISF is organized in conjunction with the National Book Development Council of Singapore which will also present the Singapore International Storytelling Festival that begins on 31st August 2009.


I Manila Storytellers Showcase
28 - 29 Aug 09, 4:30pm & 7:00pm (1.5 hrs per show)

Friday Aug 28 in MAKATI @ AIM-Acceed SGV Hall
Saturday Aug 29 in ALABANG @ De La Salle Zobel – Debbie Decena Auditorium
Pesos 250 adults / Pesos 150 children (5-12 years)

Cherished fables and legendary tales come alive at the Showcase! Renowned international storytellers such as Randel McGee(US), Bobby Norfolk (US), Sherry Norfolk (US), and Eth-Noh-Tec (US) together with their Filipino counterparts, Melody Remorca and JK Anicoche, will present a variety of intriguing and delightful stories.

Imagine listening to stories of adventure and excitement. Hear stories of a time that used to be and of distant lands. Memories spun into tales that make you laugh and cry.

This is the only time of the year where outstanding international storytellers gather here in Manila to celebrate story telling – bringing to life tales old and new: folk tales, family stories, fables, tall tales, fairy tales, and classic stories from diverse cultures.


II Manila Storytelling Seminars
28-29 Aug 09, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon (3 hrs per seminar)
Three concurrent seminars per day

Friday Aug 28 in MAKATI @ AIM-Acceed Seminar Rooms
Saturday Aug 29 in ALABANG @ De La Salle Zobel AV Rooms 1 & 2
Pesos 1,800 per head
(For personal and professional development targeted at parents, educators, librarians, social workers and other professionals.)

Take away with you the knowledge and skills in the art of storytelling for use in various environments and situations. We offer a diverse range of half-day seminars for personal and professional development targeted at parents, educators, librarians, social workers and other professionals.

Storytelling is a recognized art form that plays a significant part in lifelong learning. A good story not only entertains but is capable of imparting important concepts, attitudes and skills. Storytelling is also a fabulous tool to develop the listening and concentration of special needs children; as well as to engage and draw their attention in a way that is enjoyable and less stressful for them.

1) Bobby & Sherry Norfolk, US

Helping Struggling Readers: How Storytelling Can Make a Difference
Recent research has provided startling and encouraging new insights into how to develop proficient readers. In this workshop, we'll explore the research findings and how they can be applied in the home, at school and in the library, then create practical strategies for fostering a love of reading and helping kids develop the skills they need. This workshop is NOT about teaching kids to read. It IS about bringing kids and books together in meaningful ways. Be ready to "think outside the box" -- we all may need to accept some new roles and acquire some new skills in pursuit of that goal!

Reaching and Teaching Children with Special Needs with Stories
Demonstration, discussion and active audience participation will focus on the many ways in which storytelling can engage children with special needs, providing multiple points of entry for learning. We will explore a variety of specific techniques which utilize storytelling to address a wide range of disabilities in the classroom, helping children attend to, organize, process, and retrieve information while interacting successfully with their non-disabled peers.

2) Eth-Noh-Tec, US

Using Asian Music, Mask, and Myth in the Classroom
Masks tell stories, music tells stories, myths come alive with music and masks. This Asian Pacific playshop is loaded with Pan-Asian performing arts FUN for classroom teachers using a treasure trove of folk-masks, dances, songs and storytelling to explore Asian culture.

Tell it! Move it! : Adding Fun and Movements to Your Storytelling
Time to get up! use your face, hands, feet, and whole body to tell stories and make them MOVE! This workshop will answer the question: “what do I do with my hands, face, and feet when I tell?” as we introduce the “eight qualities of movement” to inspire approaches to storytelling.

3) Randel McGee, US

Character Education through Storytelling
Stories are full of characters that demonstrate personality traits and values, both admirable and shameful. These characters can motivate both children and adults hopefully to emulate good actions and avoid wrong behavior. Randel will share examples of how stories can be used to promote positive behaviours.

Storytelling with Paper and Scissors!
This hands-on workshop is based on paper craft projects that Randel has developed and projects featured in his new book series with Enslow Publishers, Inc. The workshop can be for educators or students of any age. He will demonstrate the fun of taking a two dimensional, flat piece of ordinary paper and cutting and folding it into simple, yet amazingly detailed paper sculptures. The projects can be themed around holidays or special units on nature, the circus, fantasy creatures, anything! These projects are great for helping children develop spatial awareness, divergent thinking, and just having a fun arts experience.


III In-House Workshops
A limited number of in house workshops are available for schools. These are for 2 hours at Pesos 55,000 per workshop with one story teller.