Lampara Books complements Department of Education’s ARAL Program through a nationwide search in storytelling competition
Lampara Books continues the tradition of promoting reading literacy through Batang Lampara, Batang Kuwentista 2026, a nationwide search for creative young storytellers. The Grand Finals concluded last September 12, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center Manila in the Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, where the top three finalists competed for the top plum in two separate categories.
Batang Lampara, Batang Kuwentista 2026, is part of Lampara Books’ broader advocacy to improve children’s relationship with reading. The initiative complements the literacy priorities identified by the Department of Education’s ARAL Program, which provides systematic intervention for learners requiring additional support in academic competencies, particularly reading.
Lampara Books has also championed its literacy programs, including Magbasa Tayo! (Marungko Approach) and Let’s Read! (Systematic Phonics). These initiatives form a continuum in Lampara Books’ varied reading advocacies, helping children develop a lasting appreciation for books and literature.
The winners of the Batang Lampara, Batang Kuwentista 2026, were announced during a key segment at this year’s Manila International Book Fair.
Category A (Grade 1-3):
1st Place: Catriona Xia C. Gacutan
2nd Place: Zander Skye H. Saplagio
3rd Place: Ameera Estelle E. Incognito
Category B (Grade 4-6):
1st Place: Czarina Sophia L. Hinanay
2nd Place: Ma. Daniela C. Mejos
3rd Place: Alamela G. Cacho
The finalists were evaluated by a panel composed of multidisciplinary artist and children’s rights advocate Pepot Atienza; storyteller, puppeteer, and professor Melanie Ramirez; UP Diliman creative writing and literature professor Eugene Evasco; UP Diliman Professor of Reading Education and children’s author Portia Padilla; and senior member of the Philippine Educational Theater Association, Csairus John Habla.
Inclusivity and representation
This year’s competition garnered 416 participants from 139 schools nationwide. 45 percent of the participants are from cities and provinces outside the National Capital Region (NCR). By allowing online submissions, Batang Lampara, Batang Kuwentista 2026 enabled children from far-flung communities and metropolitan areas to participate without the logistical challenges of traveling to the capital.
According to Segundo Matias Jr., the co-founder and president of Lampara Publishing House, Inc. (Lampara Books), the participants for this year’s edition stood out for their unique but spontaneous take on the craft. Instead of delivering obviously rehearsed interpretations, many of them approached the material with creativity and spontaneity despite their young age.
“Hindi maikakailang malikhain ang mga bata,” Matias admits, describing the participants’ performances this year as natural and highly creative. He noted that this quality gave the presentations a refreshing rawness, with the children interpreting the material with their own creative flavor.
A national concern
Reading advocacy remains a national concern that needs to be prioritized. Matias emphasized the need to cultivate a new generation of kids who see reading as meaningful, enjoyable, and worth returning to.
As children become increasingly reliant on advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), Batang Lampara, Batang Kuwentista offers an alternative and sustainable pathway to promote the importance of reading in the modern age. The challenge is not to resist these changes but to ensure that technological progress does not come at the expense of children’s connection to reading. “Ang Batang Lampara, Batang Kuwentista ay isang inisyatibo para lalo pang matutong magbasa ang mga bata. Hindi tayo dapat magpabaya. Gusto ihatid ng Lampara Books na mas masaya ang pagbabasa, kaya ginawa itong pagtatanghal para lalo pang mapalaganap ang pagbabasa.”
