The “DULAAN NG MGA MANYIKA” was designated to provide both learning and enjoyment to the numerous children in the City of Manila. This puppet theatre is an outreach program; a powerful educational tool; a contemporary trend in public library service; and a long-term recreational benefit for members of the communities in Manila.
The “Dulaan ng mga Manyika” is made up of a group of selected artistically skilled and talented employees of the Manila City Library, headed by Ms. Grace V. Gargantiel, Officer-In-Charge. This energetic group trained at the Philippine Information Agency, where they learned the construction and manipulation of puppets. They started with
making simple ball puppets andin September of 2001, presented their first show during an outreach program at Holy Family Parish in San Andres. The host of the puppet theatre is a puppet called “Kapitan BOOKnoy”, who has the role to promote the value and importance of reading books. The show presented a play, a song and dance number by funny puppet characters.
Soon, the puppeteers designed and constructed a range of “rod” puppet characters, which are more difficult to manipulate, but upgraded the quality of the puppet show. The task of providing this wholesome show comes with a responsibility to teach the youngsters what is morally and socially right. The stories of the puppet plays were derived from fables and children’s storybooks that done worthwhile moral lessons. Included in the repertoire of the puppet presentation are: dance number performed by puppet animals; a song number by a female puppet called “Weng”, and a puppet rock band that plays famous local favorites. Kapitan BOOKnoy also has a partner in hosting the show called “Benok”.
The puppet theatre was also hooked up with the Early Childhood Care and Development Program of UNICEF, closely coordinating with the Manila Department of Social Welfare, advocating and promoting the Rights of Children.
Puppet shows are scheduled monthly at the different city libraries and upon requests of City Schools and Barangay leaders, providing a happy, healthy and learning environment for the growing children of Manila.
