Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills | ABC 90s American Superhero Kids Show

Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills was a American television series which was released by DIC Entertainment and aired on the USA Network which originally ran from October 3, 1994 to December 8, 1994. In the Philippines, the Associated Broadcasting Company (now known as TV5) aired Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills on a weekend afternoon block. Let's take a look back on this low-budget kids show that tried to emulate the success of Saban's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills - The Story
Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills Series Plot

Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills featured four central teenagers selected by a blob-like brain alien named Nimbar (Head Protector of the Power Portals) to fight off the monsters sent by an evil alien empire lead by Emperor Gorganus. Gorganus want to conquer Earth because it is the focal point for a network of "Power Portals" that would facilitate conquest of the galaxy. Nimbar recruits four high school students and with a touch by his "finger" gave them each a tattoo which is based on a constellation in the celestial sphere. When their tattoos flash, this means Nimbar needs them and a power portal appears that they can pass through to enter his chamber.

The teens could then stand atop platforms called "Transo Discs" and transform into "Galactic Sentinels" with super powers. These four teenagers are Laurie Foster as the Galactic Sentinel Scorpio; Gordon Henley as the Galactic Sentinel Scorpio; Drew Vincent as Galactic Sentinel Centaur; and Swinton Sawyer as the Galactic Sentinel Apollo. When they put their hands together in an interlocking square they form the ultimate Galactic Sentinel called Knightron.

Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills Opening Theme
Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills Series Intro

What is there to say about Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills? It is one of those US Shows that tried to emulate the success of the Power Rangers. Unlike other kids shows that can just "borrowed" stock footage from Japanese tokusatsu shows, the Tattooed Teenage tried a different approach. You can clearly see that it is pretty much American in its high school setting and its heroes reminiscent of fighters from the American Gladiators. Looking at it now I can't help but laugh a bit and made me ask myself "Did I really dug that show before?". Well it can't be help, I was but a child then. I probably got hooked in it because it resembled the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers with its teenage protagonists; reminds me of Ultraman and Magmaman when they transform into Galactic Sentinels, and vaguely resembles Voltes V in some way when they put form Knightron... not to mention father and I were into World Wrestling Federation back then, the Galactic sentinels somehow looked like wrestlers.

How about you guys, do you remember this US show? What do you remember most about it? any special memory, collectible, or experience you have related to the show? Share your thoughts about the Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills in the comments section below:

MagmaMan | Fireman | ファイヤーマン Faiyaman | ABS-CBN 90s Filipino Dubbed Tokusatsu

MagmaMan was a Filipino dubbed super hero kids show that aired in ABS-CBN around the 90s. MagmaMan is originally Fireman (ファイヤーマン Faiyaman), a Japanese tokusatsu television series which originally aired Nippon Television from January 7 to July 31, 1973. Let's take a look at MagmaMan, a classic Japanese tokusatsu that has successfully merged the essence of the Ultraman and Kamen Rider series.

MagmaMan - The Story
Fireman - Series Plot

A strange phenomenon happened throughout the world, causing giant, mutant dinosaurs to suddenly appear. Deep under the Earth's surface lives the Agan, a race of people who will die if exposed to light of the sun for more than three minutes sends a courageous young man named Misakey to live as in the world of humans donning the identity of an archaeologist and SAF agent Daisuke Misaki. Whenever monsters and space aliens attack the world, Misaki transforms into Fireman by using the fire-stick, and defends the human race against them.

MagmaMan Opening Themes
FireMan Series Intros



"Fireman" (ファイヤーマン Faiya-man)

Lyrics by Yu Aku
Composition by Asei Kobayashi
Arrangement by Bob Sakuma
Artists: Masato Shimon



MagmaMan Opening Theme
FireMan Series Outro

"Shutsugeki! SAF" (SAF Shutsugeki! Esu-e-efu, Go attack! SAF)

Lyrics by Hajime Tsuburaya
Composition and Arrangement by Toru Fuyuki
Artists: Columbia Yurikago-kai and The Photons

I have vivid recollections of this series but I can still remember me and my grade school classmates mimicking MagmaMan's finishers, the Magma Dash (Fire Dash). It was aired alongside the Ultrama on ABS-CBN back in the days so we have two super giants entertaining us every weekends. I also remember one particular scene when he sacrificed himself to save the planet, I believe it made me cry back then.

Doing the research of this classic retro tokusatsu that aired in ABS-CBN during the 90s, I can completely say that MagmaMan as I would like to call him, looks like the combination of Ultraman in terms of size but with the eyes of a Kamen Rider (Masked Rider). Looing at it now, it makes me want to get the DVD set just for the sheer nostalgic value of it. Maybe someday but for now, I will enjoy myself with these series of classic scene montage of MagmaMan:

How about you guys? Did you grew up watching this series? do you have a more clear idea or recollection of the monsters fought or episodes of MagmaMan? share your thoughts on the comments section below:

Hiraya Manawari | An ABS-CBN 90s Educational Show for Children Retrospective

Hiraya Manawari was a popular educational television show for Filipino children from ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. in cooperation with the Department of Education Culture and Sports (DECS) back in the 90s. Hiraya Manawari aired during the 90s alongside Bayani from on Philippine television network, ABS-CBN. Hiraya Manawari is a weekly episodic educational television show aimed for Filipino kids that featured moral values with a usual fantasy setting.

Hiraya Manawari Educational Philippine Television Show - The Show
About Hiraya Manawari

ABS-CBN's Hiraya Manawari, a highfalutin Filipino word that translates to “reach your dreams” featured episodes revolving around good moral values and life lessons. Each episode is different from the other with each episode that deals with issues about love, family, respect, honesty, discipline, etc. Most of its episodes is set on a fantasy and fictitious setting which aid in emphasizing the episode's lesson of the day. If Bayani was a Sibika at Kulture, History or Social Studies in Philippine television, Hiraya Manawari on the other hand is like a Good Moral and Right Conduct, or Values Education class for Philippine television.

Hiraya Manawari Opening Theme
Hiraya Manawari Series Intro



Hiraya Manawari
Theme Song Lyrics

Gusto kong abutin ang tayog ng ulap
Gusto kong sisirin ang lalim ng dagat
Gusto kong akyatin ang tuktok ng bundok
Tuklasin ang hiwaga, sa puso ko'y bumabalot

Hiraya Manawari, Hiraya Manawari
Mga pangarap natin ating abutin
Ang kapangyarihang nasa puso natin
Hiraya manawari ating abutin

Kaya kong pakawalan ang hiwaga sa aking puso
Kaya kong hawakan init ng aking pangarap
Kaya kong isabog liwanag na aking taglay
Liwanag na nagsisilbing tanglaw ko sa patutunguhan

Hiraya Manawari, Hiraya Manawari
Mga pangarap natin, ating abutin
Sa lakas ng isipan at busilak na kalooban
Hiraya manawari ating abutin

I grew up in the 90s and this is one of the most memorable educational television series that ABS-CBN has ever come up with. It teaches and preaches about values education presented in a fairy tale like manner with episodes in a mysterious, magical, mystical, and sometimes creepy settings.

There is one particular scene in an episode of Hiraya Manawari that has seemingly engraved itself in my memory. It was an episode that featured insects, mainly butterflies. That particular episode had a scene where butterflies are just flying around a garden full of flora that prompted a musical segment with lyrics like "tsuwari wariwap... maglaro maglaro." I vividly recall what happened to that episode but I believed that it was due to its weird and upbeat tune that made it so nostalgic. There were also some really serious and disturbing scenes from some episodes of Hiraya Manawari. Maybe it was ahead of its time or it was so effective that it was too much for some children (like me) to handle. I remember having a few nightmares with some of its creepier episode. But all in all nobody can deny that it was one of the best educational shows under joint effort by ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. and the Department of Education Culture and Sports.





How about you guys? What is/are your most memorable episode, story, or character you remembered from this ABS-CBN educational show? Share your thoughts about Hiraya Manawari in the comments section below:

Ispup | ABC-5 90s Philippine Television Comedy (Gag) Show

Ispup (translates to "Spoof") was a Filipino television comedy show that aired in Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC-5, now known as TV5) during the late 90s up to the early 2000's. From the title itself, Ispup spoofs and make parodies of several Philippine television shows, political figures, celebrities, and advertisements. Ispup originally aired on Saturdays later moved to Fridays. The ABC-5 gag sow ran from March 20, 1999 to March 27, 2004 replacing Tropang Trumpo.

Ispup - The Show
About Ispup

Ispup featured two of Philippine's well-known parodist and impersonators, Willie Nepomuceno and Jon Santos; adding to the cast are Leo Martinez, Mystica, Candy Pangilinan, Marissa Sanchez, Joy Viado, Selena Sanchez, Ruffa Mae Quinto, and the Ispupniks: Mike "Pekto" Nacua, Ate Guy, Ate Shawie, Hyubz Azarcon and Cynthia Marquez.

Although not being the pioneer when it comes to doing parodies in the Philippines, Ispup managed to pull some pretty interesting concepts providing some great laughs with its fresh approach to delivering humor, mainly through parodies. Ispup introduced a new breed of smart humor by solely focusing on the popularity and sometimes notoriety of celebrities, television shows, and political figures - spoofing and satirizing their already public lives.

Some of its more popular parodies included the following:

• Balitang Ka! - a parody of ABS-CBN's "Balitang K"
• The Cheapest Link - a parody of the Philippine version of the UK game show "The Weakest Link" (IBC-13), having Caloy Alde as Edu Mansanas and actors playing political figures as contestants.
• Di Bati Sina Mards At Pards - a parody of GMA's debate show "Debate with Mare at Pare"
• Gay KNB? - a parody of ABS-CBN game show "Game KNB?" hosted by Ms. Kris Pepino (played by Candy Pangilinan)
• Intrigador - a parody of GMA's "Imbestigador"
• Knowless Power - a parody of the ABS-CBN's "Knowledge Power"
• Malala Na Kaya- a spoof of ABS-CBN's drama anthology "Maalaala Mo Kaya" hosted by Charing Todos Los Santos Conscious na Conscious (played by Jon Santos)
• No One Can Be A Millionaire? - a parody of the Philippine version of the UK game show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" (IBC-13), having Leo Martinez as Royet de Leon and actors playing political figures as contestants.
• Oka-Toka-Doc - a cross-over parody of ABS-CBN's "Oka Tokat" and "Oki Doki Doc"
• The Priest is Right - a parody of the Philippine version of the US game show "The Price is Right", having Willie Nepomuceno as His Eminems Jaime Cardinal Sins and actors playing political figures as contestants.
• Taksil - a parody of GMA's "Saksi"
• Usapang Monkey Business - a parody of ABS-CBN's "Usapang Business"
• Wrong Page: Ulat ni Mel Tiongke - a parody of the GMA's "Frontpage: Ulat ni Mel Tiangco"

Ispup featured characters like Sherap Entrada, Eminems Jaime Cardinal Sins, Royet de Leon, Charing Todos Los Santos Conscious na Conscious, Kurita Chances, Meriam Defensive-Santiago, Ramon Revillame, Mel Tiongke, Mayor Vi, Kris Pepino, Tita Cory Pepino, Cong. Manhik-Manaog, and Cong. Manhik-Manaog.

Before and after each episode, a "disclaimer" was presented ala "Star Wars" opening credits stating that the spoofs were taken from television shows, commercials, and movies with permission, ending with the show's tagline "Walang pikunan, ispup onli." ("Don't get offended. It's only a spoof.").

Ispup Opening Theme
Ispup Show Intro

"Soul Bossa Nova" by Quincey Jones



Mystica as Rosebud in "No One Can Be a Millionnaire"

All great things must eventually come to an end. It was quite disheartening to see Tropang Trumpo end, but Ispup filled up that gap with a new brand of humor. This was the gag show that introduced me to the master impersonators and stand up comedians Willie Nepomuceno and Jon Santos. I grew eventually fund of Ispup's unique brand of humor although being as a child back then really didn't get some of their jokes, it was still fun to see comedians impersonate local pop culture and political icons that time. If there is one thing that Ispup has successfully accomplished is the effective use of parody and spoof as its medium of humor which is now seen in today's Philippine gag shows.



It is quite fascinating actually that after Ispup, the impersonations lives on. Up to this day (as I made this post) I still see most impersonations by Jon Santos and Willie Nep cracking people up in various television appearance and stand up performance.

Jon Santos as Senator Miriam Defensive-Santiago at the MYX Music Awards 2012



Willie Nepumoceno as "Sherap" - Wowowee's Funniest Episode



How about you guys? What is your most memorable and funniest impersonation in Ispup? Share your thoughts about ABC-5's Ispup on the comments section below: