Buwan ng mga Wika Online Kwentuhan: A Conversation on the Art of Storytelling with Jay Menes

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To mark Buwan ng Wika 2026, Banyuhay Aotearoa hosted an Online Kwentuhan on the Sining ng Pagsasalaysay, the Art of Storytelling, with special guest Jay Menes. True to Banyuhay's mission to enrich, engage, and empower the Filipino migrant community in New Zealand, the session brought together language, culture, and community in one heartfelt conversation.

Jay is a multi-talented artist, working as a host, actor, assistant director, facilitator, literacy advocate, oral storyteller, writer, entrepreneur, and adventurer. He is the founder of Storyhouse Philippines, established in 2011, and was recognised as a winner at the 17th Iran International Storytelling Festival. He is a member of the Federation of Asian Storytellers (FEAST), an alumnus of The Festival Academy in Belgium, and a member of the NCCA Committee on Dramatic Arts (Theater). He currently volunteers with Banyuhay Aotearoa in Christchurch.

How the Journey Began

Jay traced his storytelling journey back to 2002, when he first became a devoted reader, a habit he says the Philippines needs more adult role models to encourage in children. In 2004, he encountered a Filipino-American storyteller performing without a book in hand, and something clicked. With a background in theatre performance since 1999, Jay recognised that oral storytelling was its own distinct art form: not a theatrical monologue, not stand-up comedy, and not quite a speech either.

That realisation led him to the Singapore International Storytelling Festival in 2008, where he connected with a small, close-knit international community of fewer than ten storytellers, including artists from Iran and Australia. By 2011, he had founded Storyhouse Philippines with a clear purpose: to promote Filipino folktales and stories, first at home, then on the world stage.

Why Storytelling Matters

For Jay, oral storytelling is deeply tied to Filipino identity and history. Long before written records, Filipinos living near mountains, coastlines, and farmlands passed on stories after each day's work, giving rise to a rich tradition of kwentong bayan, or folk tales.

He shared several examples close to his heart, including the story of Si Pilandok At Ang Mga Buwaya (The Mouse Deer And The Crocodiles), which connects to real Philippine icons like Lolong, once recorded as the largest crocodile in the world, and the mango, unofficially considered the country's national fruit. These stories, he explained, are more than entertainment. They are vessels for cultural memory and identity.

To illustrate, Jay performed a folktale for viewers titled "The Man with the Coconuts," a story about a traveller who ignores a young boy's advice about pacing himself on a long journey, only to learn its truth the hard way. It was a lovely reminder of how folktales carry lessons in simple, memorable ways.

Storytelling in the Age of AI

One of the more thought-provoking moments came during the Q&A, when Jay was asked about AI's growing presence in creative fields. He was clear that while AI can be a useful tool, it cannot replace the human connection at the heart of storytelling. The senses, emotions, and lived experience a storyteller brings, the sound of a voice, the pause before a punchline, the shared moment between teller and listener, are what make a story feel alive. As Jay put it, storytelling only becomes truly alive when it moves from person to person.

Bringing Storytelling to Aotearoa

Jay also spoke about his transition to life in New Zealand roughly a year ago, and how he found his way back into storytelling through Banyuhay Aotearoa. What began with performances at Banyuhay events grew into a series of library sessions across the Selwyn District, including Rolleston, Darfield Library, and Darfield Community Centre, as well as sessions tied to Philippine Independence Day celebrations at Papanui and Tūranga libraries. These sessions introduced both Filipino and wider New Zealand audiences to stories like Si Pilandok At Ang Mga Buwaya and Ang Alitaptap (the firefly), often blending English with Tagalog words to make the stories accessible to mixed audiences.

He noted an interesting parallel with Māori storytelling traditions, both cultures carry rich oral histories, and he sees real potential for connection and shared appreciation between them here in Aotearoa.

On Language, Style, and the Discipline of the Craft

Responding to audience questions, Jay explained that the language used in a story matters less than its delivery. Techniques like proper breathing, timing, and pacing are what truly carry a story across to its audience, whatever language is used. He also spoke candidly about the fine line between storytelling and other performance forms: add too much comedy and it becomes a comedy skit, too much song and it becomes a musical, too much dialogue and it becomes a play. Recognising and respecting that line, he said, is part of what makes oral storytelling its own discipline.

Advocacy: Keeping the Stories Alive

Jay's advocacy centres on ensuring Filipino folktales are not forgotten. With 7,641 islands in the Philippines, he pointed out, the potential number of local stories, myths, and legends is enormous, and most remain under-documented compared to well-known tales. He referenced how Jose Rizal himself once adapted and illustrated a folktale “Ang Pagong At Ang Matsing” (The Turtle and The Monkey) as a gift for his nephew, a small but meaningful example of how storytelling has always been part of passing down Filipino heritage.

He encouraged aspiring storytellers to start by reading widely, noting that a story usually chooses the teller, much like finding your own singing style. He also raised an important point about respecting authorship: traditional folk tales, being part of oral tradition, are free to retell, but stories with known living authors should be shared with proper permission.

Where to Watch and Connect

Click here to watch the video: https://youtu.be/uBSdMDV-XvE

Viewers can find more of Jay's storytelling performances on his YouTube channel, Jay Menes, and follow his ongoing work through the Storyhouse Philippines Facebook page.

More from Banyuhay Aotearoa

The Kwentuhan wrapped up with a few reminders about what's next for the Banyuhay Aotearoa community, including the ongoing Sabayang Pagbigkas online contest (open for voting), a Migrant Welcome Session in September featuring HR advisor and fellow volunteer Jules Borines on CV and interview tips, and early planning for the second Pasko sa Christchurch celebration later this year, including a parol-making contest.

A heartfelt thank you to Jay Menes for generously sharing his time, stories, and passion, and to everyone who tuned in, commented, and took part in the live conversation. Salamat po, and mabuhay ang wikang Filipino.