Smiles, Stories, and Sparkles

Museo ng Muntinlupa* said it better than I ever could: 

“Yesterday was nothing but smiles, stories, and sparkles for our Grade 5 and Grade 6 learners! Students joined Kwentuhan Sa Museo’s 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅, 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑩𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒚!,  an interactive storytelling activity designed to spark creativity and build a joyful learning community among young readers.

“We were honored to have 𝗠𝘀. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗗. 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗴, a Palanca Awardee, who brought her story “𝘖𝘩 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘰! #06 𝘓𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳” to life, leaving our audience inspired with meaningful lessons and big imaginations.

 

“A heartfelt thank you to our partners, OMF Literature Inc. and the Schools Division Office of Muntinlupa, for making this event possible.

“Reading isn’t just a skill, it is a doorway to imagination, learning, and lifelong success. And yesterday, our young readers walked right through it.” 

Those words lit up my world and affirmed my craft--writing about His grace--before the Christmas activities overlapped and overspread. I picked them up from the FB page of Museo ng Muntinlupa where I spent one bright, starlit day in early December 2025. 

An auditorium filled with over 200 people (vibrant kids and chatty adults) was hushed while I read “Look for the Star” (published by Hiyas of OMF Lit and illustrated by Beth Parrocha), the book cited by the award-giving body as the best in Asia in the year 2019. 

The story of parents’ unconditional love for their children and children’s ability to acknowledge that love (not immediately, but at some point in time) resonated with the audience, not because of culture but because it is written . . . 

"Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, 'things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.'"  Ephesians 6:1-3 NLT 

The Q&A, facilitated by the charismatic and energetic emcee, was candid and insightful. They powered new ideas for new books in the future. 

Writing is blessed with a perk: overwhelming grace, such as a day like this. 

*Museo ng Muntinlupa webpage: it is a cultural and educational venue of the city of Muntinlupa. It is the primary venue to present and preserve the history, heritage, and culture of the Muntinlupeños for generations to come. 

       As a city museum, Museo acquires, conserves, researches, communicates, and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of the city of Muntinlupa and its environment. It is the primary institution that forwards the conservation of Muntinlupa’s heritage through research, exhibitions, public programs, and even merchandise. 

       As a cultural center, it celebrates, fosters, and supports the culture and artistic excellence of the Muntinlupeños through performances, exhibitions, and training.