MANILA, Philippines?Throughout its year-long run, the Inquirer Read-Along project, which is celebrating its anniversary this week, has been enlisting the help of various celebrities as readers.

Among the star-readers we?ve had are GMA 7 twins Dominic and Felix Roco, who visited the PDI office on two separate dates in February. Dominic chose a book on autism, which, he said, ?should be understood.? Felix said he enjoyed his gig. ?It was fun and exciting.?

ABS-CBN singer Yeng Constantino, who visited PDI last March, pointed out that ?reading allows kids to pick up positive values.?

Also in March, Inquirer Read-Along went on the road, with Ariel Ureta and Cherry Pie Picache at the Miriam College Child Study Center.

Ariel read his own work, ?Si Beang Makulit,? while Cherry Pie chose Leo Lionni?s ?It?s Mine.? Ariel said it was his first attempt to write for children.

Cherry Pie, whose son studies at Miriam, explained: ?It?s so hard to compete with modern technology and video games. The Read-Along sessions are great tools in inspiring kids to love reading.?

Bayani San Diego Jr.