MANILA, Philippines — Storytelling is an age-old tradition common among all cultures, stemming from the human love for stories, the ideas they convey, and the emotions they elicit.

Today, storytelling is a helpful instructional tool for teachers and a bonding activity for parents and their children. It is also a tried and tested crowd-drawer at the Manila International Book Fair, which showcases a host of storytelling activities again this year, as it returns to the SMX Convention Center on Sept. 14-18 for its 32nd year of promoting books and reading.

Rich Rodriguez, president of Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines, gives some storytelling pointers for parents, teachers, and even students joining storytelling competitions:

• CHOOSE YOUR MATERIAL. The material should be suitable for your target audience. “Books usually indicate the age group that they are most ideal for,” Rodriguez states. “As for choosing between English or Filipino for your medium, it depends on your objective, if you wish to improve your audience’s skills in either language. The language you use will also depend on the kids’ comprehension level.”

• ANYONE CAN TELL A STORY. Young or old, storytelling is an art anyone can participate in. Anyone who wants to promote literacy can tell a story.

• STORYTELLING IS NOT JUST READING ALOUD. Storytelling can be dynamic and engaging. “I consider it a performing art, since I put acting and singing in the storytelling sessions I conduct,” Rodriguez explains. “It is an active experience where you can be part of the story you are reading.”

• SMILE. Smiling is the first step of building rapport with your audience, and will convey the connection you are trying to build. A friendly tone and eye contact with the audience also helps.

• STORYTELLING REMAINS RELEVANT. In the presence of technology, storytelling can bridge the gap in engaging reluctant readers. “The visual appeal of storytelling captures the child’s attention,” Rodriguez notes. “This can jumpstart their love for reading, when they see that it can be enjoyable and interesting."

• JOIN THE CLUB. Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines, the country's premier storytelling group, conducts regular training sessions for amateur storytellers and annual storytelling competitions for the college level and grade school level.

Alitaptap also holds regular storytelling sessions in Museo Pamabata and the Children’s Library of The National Library of the Philippines every Saturday from 10 a.m.-11 a.m., as well as a radio program dubbed “Wan Dey Isang Araw: Storytelling in the Radio” every Saturday between 9 a.m.-10 a.m. For more details about the organization, log on to http://alitaptapstorytellers.tumblr.com , email alitaptap.storytellers@yahoo.com, or call 09178247424 or 09153166138.

The 32nd MIBF will host the 2011 Lampara-Alitaptap Storytelling Competition on Sunday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the stage area. Children’s book publishers also host storytelling sessions in their booths throughout the duration of the book fair.

MIBF is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc., Book Development Association of the Philippines, Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and Publishers Representatives Organization of the Philippines. For details, call 896-0661 or 896-0682, or e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia.com.