New York PCG Celebrates National Literature Month with ‘SARI-SARI STORYTIME’
Ms. Hanna Usman (left photo, center) and Ms. Christina Newhard (right photo, center) captivate the audience with their storytelling.(Photo by Joey Magaso)
NEW YORK, 05 April 2025 – In celebration of Philippine National Literature Month, the Philippine Consulate General in New York and Sentro Rizal New York hosted Sari-Sari Storytime, a special storytelling session featuring bilingual children’s books Jalal and the Lake by Hanna Usman and Kalipay and the Tiniest Tiktik by Christina Newhard, at the Philippine Center.
The event was held in partnership with Suló: The Philippine Studies Initiative at New York University, The Georgiu Library of New York University, The Filipino School of New York and New Jersey, Bakás Pilipinas, and Sari-Sari Storybooks—a notable publisher of Philippine bilingual children’s literature.
Founded by Filipino-American Christina Newhard, Sari-Sari Storybooks is dedicated to telling Philippine stories in both English and Philippine regional languages, such as Meranaw, Hiligaynon, Cebuano, and others. The project celebrates the country’s linguistic diversity, encourages mother tongue-based learning, and serves as an important resource for Filipino children growing up abroad who seek to understand their heritage.
The featured stories explored themes of bravery, friendship, and identity, set against the backdrop of distinct Filipino settings and folktales. Jalal and the Lake takes readers to Lake Lanao in Marawi, while Kalipay and the Tiniest Tiktik introduces them to Visayan mythology through the eyes of a small but mighty creature.
(Left Photo) Participants enjoy traditional games or palaro. (Right photo) Deputy Consul General Adrian Cruz delivers his welcome remarks. (Photos by Joey Magaso)
In his welcome remarks, Deputy Consul General and Philippine Center Manager Adrian Elmer S. Cruz said, “The Philippine Center in New York has long been a home for creativity—for artists from the Philippines and those raised here in the United States. Stories, especially when told in our native tongues, help our children understand who they are and where they come from.”
The event included games and art activities, creating a festive, educational space for families to experience the richness of Philippine literature.
Sari-Sari Storytime is part of the Consulate’s efforts under Sentro Rizal to encourage cultural learning and appreciation through storytelling. By showcasing books that are both accessible and authentic, the program helps strengthen Filipino identity among younger generations and builds bridges across cultures, languages, and continents. END
