Cadiz taps lolas as free day care storytellers

CADIZ CITY – The local government of Cadiz has launched a heartwarming and unique program that brings together generations through storytelling—by engaging grandmothers as volunteer storytellers in its day care centers.

Dubbed “Storytelling for Children,” the initiative is spearheaded by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and implemented across 113 day care centers in the city’s 22 barangays.

What sets the program apart is that the storytellers are all lolas—retired school teachers and active members of the Cadiz Senior Citizens Association.

From Monday to Friday, each lola spends 30 minutes sharing stories with children—completely free of charge.

CSWDO head Irene Javelona said the program not only encourages a love for reading but also fosters values formation among the young.

“This connects two age groups that rarely interact meaningfully in today’s fast-paced world,” Javelona said.

She added that the initiative revives the Filipino tradition of pagkukuwento, bringing to life stories that go beyond words.

“These lolas are not just reading from a book; they’re breathing life into timeless values,” she said.

Many of them once taught in classrooms full of students—but now, they teach from the heart, using storytelling as their new classroom.

“With every tale, they pass down timeless lessons—respect for elders, the importance of helping the family, and understanding one’s responsibilities as a child,” Javelona said.

“Storytelling is not just entertainment but a tool for teaching morals and building character,” she added.

The initiative serves a dual purpose: nurturing children’s moral growth while restoring the sense of purpose among retired educators.

Through this program, the lola storytellers are rediscovering their voice, their role, and their joy.

They are no longer sidelined by age—instead, they are seen, heard, and appreciated for the wisdom they carry.

Cadiz Mayor Salvador “Bading” Escalante Jr. praised the initiative, calling it more than a literacy program.

“This is beyond storytelling—it’s also meant to address the moral gap among Cadiznons,” he said.

Escalante vowed to evaluate the program further and consider showcasing it as a national model for storytelling-based early childhood education.

“This is rare—but great,” he added.