Lisa is caught reading

MANILA, Philippines - Lisa Macuja-Elizalde is a self-confessed escapist reader. “I read because I like to live vicariously through the characters in the novels. I used to love romantic fiction as a young girl,” says the National Book Development Board’s (NBDB) newest Get Caught Reading endorser.

According to Lisa, her love for books and reading was further developed when she joined the prestigious Kirov Ballet in Russia and would often spend those cold winter evenings warm under the blankets with her books.

These days, Lisa is reading Witch & Wizard by James Patterson; The Twelfth Angel by Og Mandino; The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown; The Gift by Cecelia Ahern; and The Winner Stands Alone by Paolo Coelho.

Lisa is pleased to pass on her passion for reading to her kids.

Her advice to parents is that it is important to read to your kids while they’re still young.

 “Reading has enriched my vocabulary and made me a better communicator. It has definitely helped me become a good writer and speaker.”

Lisa hosts Art2Art on DZRH, which promotes art consciousness to the public.

Aside from adapting well-loved fictional characters into ballet, Lisa has also adapted Philippine children’s books (Lola Basyang stories and Edgar Maranan’s Si Sibol at Si Gunaw) into ballet.