Home Along Da Riles | An ABS-CBN 90s Sitcom Retrospective

Home Along da Riles is the longest running comedy sitcom (situation comedy) from ABS-CBN (ABS-CBN Corporation) that ran from 1992-2003 which primatily stars Philippines' comedy king Dolphy as Kevin Kosme, Smokey Manaloto as Bill Kosme, Gio Alvarez as Bob Kosme, Claudine Barretto as Bing Kosme, Vandolph as Baldomero Kosme or Baldo, Boy2 Quizon as Estong Kosme, Nova Villa as Corazon Madamba or Ason, Maybelyn de la Cruz as Maybelyn Madamba, Dang Cruz as Roxanne, Carding Castro as Elvis, Babalu as Richy, Tommy Angeles as Tomas, Cita Astals as Hilary Lagdameo, Bernardo Bernardo as Steve Carpio, Ericka Fife as Nonie, and Joymee Lim as Linggít.

Home Along Da Riles - The Story

Home Along Da Riles follows the lives of the Kosme headed by Kevin Kosme (Dolphy) widowed by Sion (also played by Nova Villa) leaving him with their four children (Bill, Bob, Bing and Baldo), and later an adopted son Estong. It depicts with struggles of the everyday poor-middle class family, but eventually finds refuge and fulfillment with the love of their family. It usually follows the exploit of the head of the household Kevin with his positive outlook in life amidst the bothersome twin sister of his deceased wife and her brothers, and an ellitist gay superior in the office, and a unstable house that seems to fall apart everytime the train passes through.

Home Along Da Riles Opening Theme
Home Along Da Riles Intro

The creation of the ABS-CBN sitcom Home Along Da Riles was inspired by the Hollywood film Home Alone starring Macaulay Culkin as "Kevin McCallister" and thus the Home Along resemblance in the title and Dolphy named after the movies main character, Kevin. Home Along Da Riles spun two comedy movies under Star Cinema during the sitcom's run. Home Along Da Riles reflect the everyday struggles of most of the impoverishes masses living in uncertainty of poverty but still manages to survive thanks to the love reigning in their family. Many Filipinos relate to Dolphy as Kevin Kosme. He became the image of the middle/working class individual, the dedicated and responsible father, and a friend to count on.

What are your fondest and most memorable moments of the series? How did you find the sitcom itself? Share your thoughts in the comments section below:

Denver, The Last Dinosaur | IBC 13 RPN-9 - 90s US Animated Show

Denver, The Last Dinosaur was a US cartoon show that aired around the 90s on IBC 13 and later on Radio Philippines Network (RPN 9). Let's take a look back at this US animated show about friendship and ecology here at Retro Pilipinas.



The kids animated show follows the stories of a group of multicultural California teenagers (Jeremy, Mario, Shades, Wally, and Casey with tag-along older sister, Heather) stumbling over a prehistoric egg, how they befriend and hide the secret of the existence of a friendly dinosaur named Denver that hatched from it. Each episode usually features issues on conservation, ecology, and friendship which is perfect as a kid's show, not to mention a cool dinosaur that can skateboard, understand English, play music and go back in time via a piece of the egg he hatched from.



Denver The Last Dinosaur Opening Theme
"Denver, the Last Dinosaur" Intro


I remember watching Denver: The Last Dinosaur in the afternoon slot every weekdays in RPN-9 during the 90s. Looking back at it now it really defies logic. Well how can the last dinosaur be a bipedal with a human like way of communicating and can show his friends a vision of the prehistoric past. But still I remember mindlessly enjoying it as a child. Today it is more about taking kids seriously. Why can't they make this into a live action film, if Chipmunks, Yogi Bear, and Garfield got their break so why can't Denver? How about you guys? What are your fondest memories of this talking (mumbling) green dinosaur? Share your thoughts on Denver, The Last Dinosaur on the comments section below:

Laser Squadron Maskman | Hikari Sentai Maskman | An IBC 13's 90s Tokusatsu Series Retrospective

Laser Squadron Maskman was a Philippine dubbed super hero kids show that aired in Intercontinental Broadcasting Company or IBC (IBC 13 for the Greater Manila Area) back in 1989 all the all the way up to 1999. Originally from Japan with the title "Hikari Sentai Maskman" (光戦隊マスクマン Hikari Sentai Masukuman), this tagalized super sentai series gained the hearts of Filipino children and adults alike during the 90s which up to this day holds a great sense of nostalgia to those who grew up with the series.



Laser Squadron Maskman or simply Maskman follows the adventures of five teenagers mentored by Commander Sugata, a scientist and sage who excels in mental reinforcements and is a master of every martial art. After discovering an ancient underground empire that plans to conquer the surface, it is up to Sugata to teach and train five youths in the ways of the mystical "Aura Power" energy which later gave them the power to become Maskman.


Filipino children growing up from the 90s will probably remember MAskman with its Tagalized (Filipino-rendered) opening and closing theme which was performed by singer/composer Mr. Norman Caraan. Mr. Caraan was featured in a special "Maskman" episode in the July 09, 2011 Episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.


See the Tagalized opening and closing theme for Maskman here:

Laser Squadron Maskman Filipino Dubbed Opening Theme



Maskman Tagalog Opening Theme
Performed by Norman Caraan

Laser Squadron Maskman Filipino Dubbed Closing Theme
Maskman Tagalog Ending Theme



Maskman Tagalog Closing Theme
Performed by Norman Caraan
These Tagalog version of this popular Filipino-dubbed and performed opening and closing theme are based from the original opening themes:



Hikari Sentai Maskman Opening Theme (Japanese)



"Hikari Sentai Maskman"
Performed by Hironobu Kageyama.

Hikari Sentai Maskman TV Closing Theme (Japanese)



"Ai no Soldier"
Performed by Hironobu Kageyama.



One of the most notable characters in Maskman is a particular monster named Okerampa (originally Okelamp in the Japanese Maskman) whose only purpose is to raised human-sized monsters into giants for the Maskman mechs to pummel through. Okerampa usually leaves witty remarks after he has done his sole task.


Maskman will be forever in the hearts of most 90s kid growing up with such great kids show. I personally have fond memories where we have rubber bands and mimic or emulate that from Maskman. Looking back at it now, I can say it was pretty gutsy showing the five protagonists in white bathing suit in one of the transformations scene in a particular episode which was later cut.



What are your fundest memory watching this Filipino-dubbed super sentai series from Japan? Share your thoughts about Maskman in the comments section below:

Eezy Dancing | An ABC 5's 90s Dance Show Retrospective

Eazy Dancing was a Philippine television dancing show back in the 90s from the Associated Broadcasting Company or ABC (ABC-5 for the Greater Manila Area back then, today known as TV-5). Eezy Dancing ran from 1996-2001 The show aired every Sunday night and was hosted by different celebrities each season mainly Charlene Gonzales, Maribeth Bitchara, Giselle Toengi, and Nina Ricci Alagao to name a few. Every episode featured various dance numbers from professional dance instructors, performers, celebrities and sometimes even politicians. The dance show later adapted the title Eezy Dancing Non-Stop.

Here are some clips of Eezy Dancing back in the days gathered from the internet:



Charlene Gonzales with Charlene Gonzalez, Ralion Alonzo, Franco Laurel



Sherilyn Reyes dance number on Eezy Dancing



Amanda Page and Vina Morales dance number on Eezy Dancing



Eezy Dancing Non-Stops' Giselle Toengi (G. Toengi)



Maricel Morales and Nina Alagao dance number on Eezy Dancing

Do you still remember this Sunday night variety (dance) show from ABC 5? Share your memories of the dance show on the comments section below: