A Special Story for Every Child

By Maria Solita Zaldivar-Guzman

KALIBO, Aklan- Last week, I received an invitation that touched me in a way few others have. The Special Needs Education Department of Kalibo Pilot Elementary School asked if I could be their storyteller for a community exposure activity scheduled for September 26, as part of their Friday Socialization Day for children with special needs.

They requested that I read Engkanto sa Bukid it Tigayon during their event at the Kalibo Ostrich Farm. The activity had to be postponed due to the threat of Typhoon Opong and was instead held on September 30. Despite the change of date, my excitement and sense of responsibility remained the same. Whenever I am invited to do storytelling, speak about volunteerism, or contribute to feature writing, I never decline.

These opportunities always feel like small yet meaningful ways to give back. But this invitation was different, and it was a first for me. This time, my audience would be children with special needs. I have always had a soft spot for them. I believe deeply in the importance of creating spaces where children, regardless of their circumstances, feel validated, included, and celebrated. Saying yes to the role of storyteller felt humbling, but it also came with a little anxiety.

Would I be able to connect with them in the way I hoped? Would my words and energy reach them meaningfully? As I prepared to read Engkanto sa Bukid it Tigayon, I realized that this experience was not about being perfect or “the best.” It was about presence, about showing up with sincerity and love, and about being part of a world I wish to see—one where no child feels left behind, unseen, or unheard.

Earlier today, I was surrounded by children whose eyes sparkled with curiosity and joy. In that moment, I realized that the gift of storytelling is not mine alone to give. It is something we share with teachers, parents, and the entire community.

A story is not just words on a page; it is a bridge that connects us, affirming that every child deserves moments filled with wonder, laughter, and a sense of belonging. And perhaps, with this new and different audience before me, it dawned on me that this is the true magic of storytelling—it reminds us that every child’s world, no matter how different, deserves stories where they belong, where each one feels special exactly as they are.