In a heartwarming and innovative program, the local government of Cadiz City in Negros Occidental is engaging retired teachers, affectionately known as “lolas” (grandmothers), as volunteer storytellers for children across its 113 day care centers.
This unique initiative, spearheaded by the City Social Welfare and Development Office, aims to not only foster a love for reading but also to impart essential moral values to the city’s youngest residents, Irene Javelona, head of Cadiz’s CSWDO, said in a press statement on Sunday, July 13..
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The “Storytelling for Children” program, currently active in 22 barangays, taps into the wisdom and experience of senior citizens who are members of the city’s Senior Citizen Association.
From Monday to Friday, these dedicated lolas volunteer 30 minutes each to tell stories, free of charge, to eager day care children, Javelona said.
Javelona said “This approach connects two age groups that rarely interact meaningfully in today’s fast-paced world.”
“It also revives the Filipino tradition of ‘pagkukuwento’ (storytelling), which is so vital to our culture,” she added.
What makes this program particularly distinctive is that the lola storytellers do more than just read from a book. Having spent years in classrooms, they now “teach from the heart,” breathing life into tales that emphasize core values, Javelona said.
“With every tale, they pass down timeless values—respect for elders, the importance of helping the family, and understanding one’s responsibilities as a child,” Javelona said.
“Storytelling is not just as entertainment, but a tool for teaching morals and building character”, she said.
Beyond its benefits for the children, the program is also a significant gift to the elderly volunteers. For these retired educators who long to continue making a difference, the initiative offers a renewed sense of purpose and joy, Javelona said.
They are no longer “sidelined by age,” but rather “seen, heard, and appreciated for the knowledge they carry,” rediscovering their voice and vital role within the community, she added.
Escalante said the program offers a “high salute” to the lola storytellers.
“This program is beyond storytelling…this is also meant to address the moral gap among Cadizeños,” he said.
He said he is committed to commitment to further assess the initiative, with the vision of showcasing it as a model for storytelling programs in day care centers across the entire country.
“This is rare, but great,” Escalante said, emphasizing the program’s unique and impactful nature.
The “Lola Storytellers” initiative stands as a testament to the power of intergenerational connection, proving that the wisdom of the past can indeed build a brighter future for the young, Javelona said.*