MANILA, Philippines - Tucked in between his various activities and travels to promote ventriloquism, Filipino style, internationally known puppeteer and entertainer Wanlu has just released his first children’s book titled Ang Batang Gustong Maging Papet.
The book tells the story of Wanlu’s signature puppet Nicolo, cast as a young boy who dreams of being a puppet. The book teaches children a moral lesson on gratitude while going through a journey of laughter and imagination.
Wanlu explained that the book is special because it was co-written by young students from schools in Antipolo City, with help from an orphan from the Dating Daan Foundation.
The famous ventriloquist has also been busy representing the Philippines in international puppetry events. Last April, he performed at the University Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Malaysia before early childhood education teachers and students. It was followed by a performance at the Malaysian International Puppetry Festival held at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center (KLPAC) before dignitaries from different embassies, including our consul from the Philippine Embassy, Alvin Malasig and his wife Carol Ramoran-Malasig.
Wanlu was also invited to lecture and perform at the Japanese Ventriloquist Festival in Tokyo last June. The Japanese Ventriloquist Association (JVA) headed by Takeshi Ikeda asked Wanlu to talk on how puppetry was used to help typhoon victims in Tacloban.
After his talk, Wanlu performed a puppetry act, which was translated from English to Japanese by a translator.
Wanlu and his family will soon fly to Vietnam to compete in the 4th International Marionette Festival in Hanoi, where they will perform a marionette act. Two years ago, his small entourage received the Silver award in the same festival due to a language barrier.
Wanlu has also been invited to perform in Indonesia, Borneo as well as Egypt and Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, several school and mall shows have been lined up to promote Ang Batang Gustong Maging Papet.
Co-authors of Ang Batang Gustong Maging Papet are Mikee Rose Tagatoc from Ang Dating Daan Foundation/KFI Residential Care, Harriette Louise Alviar de Leon (Harper and Louise School-Antipolo) and Daryl Hanna J. Malanyaon (Don Antonio de Zuzuarregui Sr. Memorial Academy, DAZSMA-Antipolo).
For details, visit www.wanlu.net.