“Bugsay, bugsay, kilingkiling dyutay. Bugsay, bugsay sa barotong gamay.”
For people born in the 90s, this nursery rhyme is now merely a
reminder of a bygone innocence, and would no longer ring a bell among
the new generation. But for Lorna Eguia, it is a chime of today that may
bring our stricken nation back into one harmony.
A mother, a wife and a librarian, Eguia is an advocate of
storytelling as a way of teaching children and imparting in them
lessons, especially goal setting or the need to have a target to
achieve. That is why the story of Andoy in the Akong Bugsay and its Bugsay Principle so fascinated her that the book became one of her foremost materials.
February this year when the University of San Carlos librarian was introduced to Akong Bugsay during its launching, where she was one of the guests. As someone so passionate with storytelling, she responded to the call of introducing the book as a tool to empower the younger generation.
(Storytelling advocate Lorna Eguia and her daughter Raine proudly show
off thumbnails of the books she uses in telling stories to children, her
daughter’s swimming award, Raine’s goal of winning first place in
swimming, and the Akong Bugsay book that inspired Raine to set a goal
and achieve it.)
Written by Amaya C. Aboitiz, daughter of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) president Roberto “Bobby” E. Abotiz, Akong Bugsay narrates the journey of Andoy, who went fishing with his father. While at sea, they were met by big waves, which in reality represent life’s hardships and sufferings. With determination and focus in reaching his goal, which was to get enough fish for his mother, Andoy persevered, and with his father humming “Bugsay, bugsay…,” they paddled home with a good haul.
From then on, Akong Bugsay has been in Eguia’s bag wherever she goes. Andoy and the Bugsay Principle are always with her.
As founder of Books in Bags, Eguia is always prepared in teaching kids the importance of goal setting and having the will to achieve the goal as a way of transforming one’s status in life. That is why along with her Bible stories and other books which promote good values and the honing of positive perspectives, Akong Bugsay is one of her constant companions whenever she or her group goes on a storytelling trip.
She even kept what she calls the “Akong Bugsay Success Stories,” which is a compilation of stories of children whose goals were realized after they were inspired by Andoy’s story. One story was that of Raine, Eguia’s own daughter, who dreamed of winning first place in a swimming competition. Raine labored hard and her efforts were rewarded when she eventually brought home the bacon.
Just last week, Eguia was invited to speak during a seminar-workshop in one of the universities in Cebu City. Her audiences were future teachers, and she used Akong Bugsay in teaching them various strategies of storytelling that would ultimately catch the hearts and minds of children.
Eguia also mentors volunteers and intends to spread the joy and beauty of storytelling, especially on teaching the importance of goal setting, to inspire future storytellers in joining her advocacy.
“Kung ako lang gyud (If there is only me), I’m alone; but if I will teach others to do it, there will be more of us,” she said.
Written by Amaya C. Aboitiz, daughter of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) president Roberto “Bobby” E. Abotiz, Akong Bugsay narrates the journey of Andoy, who went fishing with his father. While at sea, they were met by big waves, which in reality represent life’s hardships and sufferings. With determination and focus in reaching his goal, which was to get enough fish for his mother, Andoy persevered, and with his father humming “Bugsay, bugsay…,” they paddled home with a good haul.
From then on, Akong Bugsay has been in Eguia’s bag wherever she goes. Andoy and the Bugsay Principle are always with her.
As founder of Books in Bags, Eguia is always prepared in teaching kids the importance of goal setting and having the will to achieve the goal as a way of transforming one’s status in life. That is why along with her Bible stories and other books which promote good values and the honing of positive perspectives, Akong Bugsay is one of her constant companions whenever she or her group goes on a storytelling trip.
She even kept what she calls the “Akong Bugsay Success Stories,” which is a compilation of stories of children whose goals were realized after they were inspired by Andoy’s story. One story was that of Raine, Eguia’s own daughter, who dreamed of winning first place in a swimming competition. Raine labored hard and her efforts were rewarded when she eventually brought home the bacon.
Just last week, Eguia was invited to speak during a seminar-workshop in one of the universities in Cebu City. Her audiences were future teachers, and she used Akong Bugsay in teaching them various strategies of storytelling that would ultimately catch the hearts and minds of children.
Eguia also mentors volunteers and intends to spread the joy and beauty of storytelling, especially on teaching the importance of goal setting, to inspire future storytellers in joining her advocacy.
“Kung ako lang gyud (If there is only me), I’m alone; but if I will teach others to do it, there will be more of us,” she said.
I wrote this article while having my internship at Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
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