'Kwentong Jataka' - a podcast series in Filipino language, based on the educational Jataka Tales from India was launched at the Doreen Fernandez Blackbox Theatre of Areté Ateneo on 31 May 2022. The project was launched in the presence of Ambassador of India to the Philippines, H.E. Shambhu S. Kumaran and Dr. Ma. Mercedes T. Rodrigo of the Loyola Schools, Ateneo de Manila University.

  This project comprising of 12 short and engaging stories in podcast format for young learners is produced by the Embassy of India in Manila in partnership with Areté Ateneo - the creativity and innovation hub of the Ateneo de Manila University.

  ‘Kwentong Jataka’ consists of stories from the Jataka Tales — a collection of folk stories that originated in India, each of which relays an ethical teaching. A large number of Jatakas originally belonged to ancient Indian storytelling or narrative traditions that were both rich and varied.

   With over 500 in number, Jataka Tales are an important part of Buddhist literature in which the Buddha recounts some of his past lives on his long road to enlightenment. With a numerous and memorable cast of characters, powerful imagery and a moral at the end to reflect upon, makes these stories appealing to children across the world.

The project was conceptualised and funded by the Embassy of India while the translation of stories into Filipino language, development of illustrations and production of podcasts was carried out by faculty of Areté Ateneo and the Filipino Language Department of Ateneo de Manila University.

The project is a part of the Indian Embassy’s effort to encourage wide-ranging, people-oriented and forward-looking educational collaboration with Philippine entities. With Kwentong Jataka, the Embassy aims to contribute towards enhancing access to mother-tongue based educational material that is key to learning outcomes among young learners.

Kwentong Jataka would be a valuable addition to the supplementary material available in the Philippines for young learners. By making a rich body of Indian literature accessible in a friendly form. This would also help enhance inter-cultural understanding of children and grown ups alike. Delivery of these stories in podcast format would also help boost listening skills, foster imagination, develop vocabulary and sharpen memory of the young listeners.

The podcasts are available for free on the website and YouTube Channel of the Embassy of India, website of Areté Ateneo as well as on Spotify and Apple podcasts.

31 May 2022