“We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories.”
— Jonathan Gottschall
The Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente – University of San Carlos, in collaboration with the University of San Carlos’ Collegiate Engineering Council, kept the magic of stories alive at the CFIC Brothers Inc. Sto. Niño Center in Pitogo, Liloan, Cebu. On April 19, 2026, the club conducted one of its 12 Days of Christmas projects, Makulay na BOOKas: Kulay at Kwentong baLIK-HAndog, which aimed to promote art and storytelling by distributing pre-loved books through its dedicated book donation drive and its latest baLIK-HAndog original story.
The event began enthusiastically with drawing workshops that aimed to teach children basic coloring techniques, such as understanding the color wheel, hues, saturation, and shades. A basket of fruits was used as the subject to teach children the beauty of coloring using oil pastels. In the end, variations of the “Fruit Basket” artwork were displayed and celebrated by both the children and the Rotaractors alike. The children were taught not only to color within the lines, but also to think beyond the box and imagine color to its limitless potential.
Essential art materials were also distributed to the children to further support their expression through art. These materials included sketchpads, pencils, and coloring materials, all of which were received with care and excitement.
During the afternoon snack break, Little Leaders, an original story written and illustrated by dedicated Rotaractors from the club, was narrated aloud for the first time since its book launch in November 2025. The story focuses on children in a community whose fence was broken. Through collaboration and unity, they learned that by coming together for a greater purpose, they could solve any challenge their community might face. The children listened attentively, carrying with them the importance of unity and collaboration in serving for good.
Ultimately, Makulay na BOOKas brought color both inside and outside the walls of everyone present, reminding us to keep stories alive one color at a time.
