Wow Mali | A Retrospective on ABC 5's Longest-Running Gag and Prank Show Starring Joey de Leon

Wow Mali, (translated as Wow! Wrong), was the longest-running gag and prank show hosted by Joey de Leon which started airing from May 25, 1996 on ABC-5 (now known as TV5). Wow Mali has since enjoyed phenomeal success year after year thanks to its hilarious and inventive pranks presented in a candid/hidden camera format; and in-between comedic segments with its hosts Joey-de Leon, his co-hosts, along with the studio audience. Let's go down memory lane with the iconic Filipino gag and prank show "Wow Mali" that completed many Filipinos Sunday night here on Retro Pilipinas.

Wow Mali - The Gag and Prank Show
About Wow Mali

Wow Mali, features pranksters and other talents, who later became big in their own right later on in their careers (like Mike "Pekto" Nacua, Doray Alaskadora, and Krissy) as they hit the streets to prank unsuspecting people going about with their daily lives. The pranks usually ranges from a harmless inquiry of "Pwede bang Magtanong?" (Can I ask you something) to a brush with a gang of seemingly hardened thugs which later starts performing "drag." Wow Mali resonated with a lot of Filipinos including kids and became a part of the Filipino culture as it became part of the colloquial lingo. The expression "WOW Mali" or "NA-WOW-MALI AKO" became a common expression whenever someone makes a mistake or became a victim of a prank or a ruse. Later on people start becoming more aware of the pranks and recognize the talents and prank format.

Wow Mali bagged a number of awards and nominations including the 1st MTRCB Television Awards for Best Comedy Show (2009), and the winner of the KBP Golden Dove Awards for the Best Gag Show (
1997, 2005 and 2009).

Wow Mali (2009) Opening Theme
Wow Mali Series Intro


"Wow Mali"'s theme song was composed and produced by Dan Salamante
A Retrospective on Wow Mali
A Look Back on Wow Mali



What can be said about the premiere gag and prank show's original run on ABC-5? All I can say is it's one of the most influential shows for me as a millenial and child of the 90s. I remember my parents sending me off to bed after the show finished every Sunday as we used to sleep early before 10 PM at that time. We often ended our day with a big laugh and smile to our faces as we bond with how people get pranked on camera. Who would have known that they will be widely and warmly accepted by almost every Filipino family and Filipino mass at that time? Joey de Leon and Wow Mali helped get me through a week knowing that I get to laugh out loud over the weekends. It was a simpler times without the Internet when all you have is a CRT-TV and pranks.

Classic Wow Mali pranking Jeepney passengers by using bartered produce/items as payment.



I don't know if Wow Mali was the first Filipino reality-based hidden camera prank based show but it sure feel like it. Maybe someone from the comments section can correct me if not. I do remember local syndicated run of classic American or Canadian prank and gag shows like Candid Camera and America's Funniest Videos, but don't remember anything that come close to the success and staying power of Wow Mali. I can only recall some of the classic pranks mainly the "Pwede bang Magtanong...?" (Can I ask a question?) prank wherein the usual Filipino response is "Ano?" (What) then the prankster will ask again until she gets or don't get a "Yes." It was a bit dumb and witty at the same time, because that is the right answer to the question that ask permission to ask, but we automatically answer with a silence yes, then proceed with "What". Some of the other pranks would probably not fly in this snowflake politically correct and charged climate as most Wow Mali pranks tip toes on the line of being offensive. Good thing that there are still many Filipinos who still have good sense of humor and not as snowflake as those calling for political correctness. I still say, as long as it doesn't break the law or physically hurt someone, it's all good in my book. Before you had modern influencers and content creators with their fake and scripted pranks, you first had Wow Mali and later followed by other shows like Bitoy's Funniest Videos.
Classic Wow Mali "networking" seminar attendees prank.



What about you guys? What are your fondest, favorite, or laugh out loud memories, episodes, or moments in one of the longest-running ABC 5's gag show? Share your thoughts and opinion about Wow Mali in the comments section below:

Calvento Files | A Retrospective on ABS-CBN's True Crime Filipino Show

Calvento Files, was an investigative program and documentary drama (docudrama) hosted by veteran broadcast journalist Tony Calvento that aired from December 4, 1995 to October 2, 1998 on ABS-CBN. Calvento Files was a docudrama that chronicles and archives some of the most disturbing and heartbreaking true crimes recorded by the police and various witnesses in the Philippines during that time. Let's go down memory lane with the iconic Filipino true crime docudrama "Calvento Files" here on Retro Pilipinas.


Calvento Files - The Show
About Calvento Files

ABS-CBN, in its pursuit of quality entertainment and public service, has come up with yet another experimental format: TONY CALVENTO FILES.

The program is envisioned as a two-hour docu-drama combining the standards of the number one drama anthology, Maalaala Mo Kaya and the number one public affairs program, Magandang Gabi Bayan.

Tony Calvento Files will definitely arouse the catharsis and awareness of the Filipino audience; also a way of public service - by helping convict criminals and making the viewing public more cautious in their dealings with other people especially with their loved ones. Above all, it hopes to convey a message and lesson for the viewers so they will not fall prey to the dangers posed to them in their everyday living.

Source: ABS-CBN via Wayback Machine

A Retrospective on Calvento Files
A Look Back on Calvento Files

What can be said about the Tony Calvento Files docudrama back on its original run on ABS-CBN? Well, this is one of the most memorable Filipino television shows for me as a child of the 90s. I think I was around the age of 10-12 when it aired during 1995-1998 and although I've forgotten most of the episodes, there is one thing that I can be certain of and that is Calvento Files was a disturbing Philippine television show to watch. I guess my parents are partly to blame for that, letting me watch such a graphic investigative police and crime program about murder, rape and other true crimes that occurred in the country all the way to that year.



I don't know how ABS-CBN's Calvento Files docudrama holds up to today's standards, but I remembered being disturbed as a kid by how graphic the portrayal of these crimes was presented. I wish ABS-CBN can release a DVD, Blu-ray or maybe release the episodes of this classic docudrama on their streaming services for us to at least get the chance to re-experience them as adults. Where the performance really that great or was that simply just a mind of a kid like me seemingly introduced of what horrors some people are capable of towards their fellow humans. I am a big horror fan and someone who likes to watch true crimes related stuff from time to time, so if ever this gets re-released, this fits my preference perfectly well. This is what I love when doing retrospectives here on Retro Pilipinas, I can get to talk about something that has become a part of my life and everybody else's that seemingly everyone has a vague recollection about. When looking at anything about the show, I can't seem to find further details about it except for some wiki entries and that the original host, Tony Calvento, passed away due to Cancer in October 2017.


I wish I can find a breakdown of the cases covered per episode but alas, there is none! There is one episode though, the Calvento Files pilot episode on the Oroquieta massacre and those found in the film adaptation of the now-defunct ABS-CBN investigative program. Guess that is what is expected on anything that dates before the age of the Internet and there are only some who have archived such show for preservation. It's a good thing that we can get a glimpse of what Calvento files (a snippet of sort) was like as it got a big-screen adaptation with 1997's Calvento Files: The Movie where you can check out the trailer here:

Calvento Files: The Movie

Episode 1, Balintuwad, is the story of a fifteen-year-old epileptic girl who was gang-raped and drowned by her captors the night she sneaked out to watch her sister's prom. Eventually, the perpetrators are revealed to be schoolteachers, the very people who are supposed to safeguard children's welfare. Based on the true story of Valen Lanistosa of Dueñas, Iloilo. Episode 2, Inay, May Momo, tells the story of a young mother and her daughter who undergo a terrifying ordeal when the husband is hacked to death by the mother's spurned lover. The widow presses charges against the killer, but the killer hounds both the woman and her traumatized daughter in an attempt to scare them to drop the charges against him.

Soure: IMDB

I might as well, re-watch this film and do a crossover movie review between Retro Pilipinas and Pinoy Movie Blogger (a blog which I am also the author of), to just add to this retrospective. Watch out for that update soon.


What about you guys? What are your fondest, favorite, or disturbing memories, episodes, or cases covered in this phenomenal ABS-CBN 90s true-crime docudrama? Share your thoughts and opinion about Calvento Files in the comments section below:

B'T X and B'T X Neo | ABS-CBN's 90s Filipino-Dubbed Anime Retrospective

B'T X was a Filipino-dubbed Japanese animation that aired on ABS-CBN every weekend afternoon during the 90s in the Philippines. B't X, stylized as B'T X, was adapted from the shonen manga series, written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada which ran from October 1994 – January 2000. The 25-episode first season of the anime adaptation of B'T X ran from April 6, 1996 – September 21, 1996. It was followed by a 14-episode second season titled B'T X Neo that ran from August 21, 1997 – November 20, 1997 in Japan. Let's go down memory lane and remember the pilot of the badass B'T X in this alternate world of B'T X and it's sequel B'T X Neo.


B'T X - The Story
B'T X Series Plot

B'T X is set on an alternate Earth which is ruled by one faction called the Machine Empire. The Machine Empire pushed for a society of scientists which culminated in the creation of the B'Ts (pronounced "beat" in the Japanese version), mechanical beasts with artificial intelligence powered by human blood.

B'T X and B'T X Neo follows the story of Teppei Takamiya and the bond he formed with the titular B'T X, or simply X which was once of the strongest B'T of the Machine Empire. The story then delves deeper with the B'Ts and MAchine Empire. Secrets start to unfold as it becomes the a story of survival of the human race against the clutches of the Machine Empire and smack in between is Teppei and X, along with the comrades they gained along this journey.

B'T X Opening Theme
B'T X Series Intro





B'T X Lyrics

Maglalakbay ako patungo sa kawalan
Upang habulin ko pangarap sa buhay
At susuungin ko itong kadiliman
Makita ko lang ang liwanag
Ng katarungan

B’T X Closing Song
Alab ng Katarungan
ang pagmamahal sa ating kapwa
ang pag-ibig sa ating bayan
Handang ibuwis ang aking buhay
B'T X Legacy on the Filipinos

It is without a doubt that B'T X has become a part of the lives of Filipino kids who grew up watching this anime series every afternoon. Some have even made various tribute and covers remembering this aspect of their childhood. I now present you with the legacy of B'T X amongst the kids and Filipinos in general who grew up watching the series. Credits goes to the original authors. Kindly follow, like and support their channels which we'll also include below:

BTX opening theme (Tagalog/Japanese version)- Mavilon cover

Source: Mavilon's YouTube Channel B'T X Cover

BTX TAGALOG OPENING THEME Acoustic version 90's Anime | Sailing For My Dream Cover Rider Kikomi

Source: Rider Kikomi's YouTube Channel

A Retrospective on B'T X and B'T X Neo
A Look Back on B'T X and B'T X Neo


What can be said about B'T X's run in Philippine television back in the late 90s? Well, I don't really remember much about the plot of B'T X, only bits and pieces. I was only at around grade school back then when it first aired on ABS-CBN. It was Filipino-dubbed but I guess I wasn't paying much attention to the story, maybe more fascinated with what seemingly high octane action and the cool designs of the the B'Ts (Beats) back then. speaking of cool designs, I managed to archive a few snapshots from this nostalgic 90s series in my teks collection of B'T X. Maybe, I will make an unpacking and release scans of my teks collection (on a future post soon).




Being a 90s kid, my fondest memory of the series was me playing around with my grade school classmates shouting Teppei's iconic Messiah Fist and thinking that we were riding some of the iconics beats from the show. A fan favorite back then was Fou Lafine's B't J'Taime that had a phoenix (suzaku) design and opposite to him was Ron and B'T Raido with his dragon (seiryuu) design. I tend to favor the lead back then, even though I usually favor the main character, I remember favoring Hokuto and B'T Max (genbuu). I've managed to get a hold of the series now, but when re-watching the very first few episodes I can say that it really didn't age gracefully. Maybe it is my more mature taste when it comes to animation (but I do appreciate titles like Mob Psycho 100), but maybe a few episodes in more and I will warm up to the animation style. I will re-watch this series and hopefully will have a good time just like when I finished and re-watched Hell Teacher Nube.


How about you guys? How much do you remember about B'T X and B'T X Neo back in the days? What was your fondest memory, character, B'Ts, or moments from the series? Share your thoughts and experiences about B'T X in the comments section below and let's discuss more about it:

Bananas in Pajamas | An ABS-CBN's 90s Filipino-dubbed Kids Show Short Retrospective

Bananas in Pajamas was a Filipino-dubbed children's television show which aired every afternoon in ABS-CBN's anime afternoon block, around the block of Zenki, B'T X, and Blue Blink. Bananasa in Pajamas was originally Bananas in Pyjamas, an Australian children's television series that premiered on the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) on July 20, 1992 and have been syndicated and dubbed into many language including the Filipino language. Let's go down memory lane and remember the the Filipino-dubbed Australian kids show Bananas in Pajamas on its Philippine Television run here at Retro Pilipinas.


Bananas in Pajamas - The Show
About Bananas in Pyjamas

Bananas in Pajamas feature anthropomorphic characters, mainly two twin banana brothers named B1 and B2. It chronicles their daily lives along with their three teddy bear neighbors Amy, Lulu and Morgan, and Doding Daga (Rat in a Hat in the Australian version).

Bananas in Pajamas Opening Theme
Bananas in Pyjamas Series Intro



Bananas in Pyjamas Lyrics




Bananas in pyjamas
Are coming down the stairs
Bananas in pyjamas
Are coming down in pairs
Bananas in pyjamas
Are chasing teddy bears
'Cause on Tuesdays
They all try to
Catch them unawares

[second time sung faster]

Bananas in pyjamas
Are coming down the stairs
Bananas in pyjamas
Are coming down in pairs
Bananas in pyjamas
Are chasing teddy bears
'Cause on Tuesdays
They all try to
Catch them unawares
A Retrospective on Bananas in Pajamas
A Look Back on Bananas in Pajamas

What can be said about Bananas in Pajamas' run in Philippine television back in the late 90s? It was a good 15-minute short that served as an intermission to the main course for 90s kids ever weekday afternoon. They serve as a downtime or something cute after or before each anime shown every afternoon in ABS-CBN back then. I only remember that the show was smack right between Zenki or B't X and Akazukin Cha Cha or Blue Blink. The show featured cute anthropomorphic characters/mascots which were all voiced in Filipino making them more relatable to Filipino kids.


With the power of the Internet, we can now take a look back at them with this YouTube clip:







It was a kid-friendly slice of life show which when thinking about it now, was perfectly place as the anime that precede them usually are a bit on the violent (but in a good badass way for boys) side like B'T X and Zenki. As a 90s kid I remember many of us mimicking their popular lines. With iconic lines spoken by the titular Bananas in Pajamas, "Naiisip mo ba ang naiisip ko B1?" which is added by the other banana, "Sa Palagay ko nga B2", the show has cemented itself in the hearts and minds of the Filipino kids who are waiting for the next action packed anime on the ABS'CBN's afternoon block.


How about you guys? What are your fondest memories of Bananas in Pajamas? Share your thoughts and opinion about the Filipino-dubbed Bananas in Pajamas Philippine television run in the comments section below and let's have an awesome discussion.

Tumbang Preso - An Iconic and Beloved Filipino Children's Game | A Look Back at a "Laro ng Lahi"

Tumbang preso which directly translates to "knock down the prisoner" is a traditional Filipino children's game or a "laro ng lahi". Tumbang preso is also known as "Presohan" ("prison") or "tumba lata" ("knock down the can") in Luzon, and Tumba-Patis or "Tumba-Lata" ("Hit The Can") in most Visayan regions. Tumbang preso is a game enjoyed in groups and in the streets. A game truly for the Filipino mass before modern technology has glued the eyes of the Filipino youth on their mobbile devices. Let us take a look back at this beloved iconic traditional Filipino children's game called "Tumbang preso" here at Retro Pilipinas.

Original Source: Tumbang Preso by Maestro Abayan

Tumbang Preso Game Mechanics
Tumbang Preso Traditional Filipino Children's Game

Tumbang preso is usually played in the streets, parks, or backyards (preferably in a cemented grounds) consisting of many children (some articles said that it should not exceed more than nine but who are we to tell how many should play it). An empty can (or bottle if not available) is required to play tumbang preso as this is an integral part of the game as the kids main goal is to hit this can with their slippers which is also known as a "pamato".



Original Source: Tropang Bagong Sibol: Tumbang Preso Mechanics
The set up is at the start of the game, kids will throw their pamatos and the one whose pamato is the farthest from either the toe-line or the empty can will be the "it". On one end, there are kids with their "pamato" on the "toe-line" where they are given the chance to knock the can from its safe zone or "prison", and on the opposite end, there is that one "unfortunate" kid who is "it" guarding the empty can inside its prison (usually a circle protecting the can). Once the game starts, everyone can take a shot (one at a time or altogether) to knock off the can from its prison at the back of the toe-line. The other kids must immediately retrieve their "pamato" to return to the toe-line to be "safe" as soon as tthe can gets knock off from the prison. The "it" will then return the can and ran after anyone not inside the toe-line or safe zone (usually those retrieving their "pamato") to tag them to be the next "it".

Resource: Wikipedia

A Look Back at Tumbang Preso
Tumbang Preso Memories

Original Source: Tumbang Preso - Art of Cabby

While I don't have any particular memory of playing tumbang preso as a child as I was more into a "Patintero", "Langit Lupa", Sawsaw-Suka, and "Siato" other Laro ng Lahi, which I will also cover soon here at Retro Pilipinas (watch out for them); I still find it pretty fun seeing those who play it then and now here at our barangay.

Original Source: Tumbang Preso by Galeria Bañez

Many kids still are playing this laro ng lahi, well at least those who don't have those fancy mobile device which is consuming kids more nowadays. It is cheap and all you need is an empty can, one slipper, and fun friends to play with. Even back in my grade school days we haven't fully played this game which is a bit shameful, but hey I did manage to try out other traditional Filipino children's game ("laro ng lahi") so can't really complain much. I simply look fondly at how some kids are enjoying it now that I am an adult, or be irritated as the kids are a noisy bunch along with the empty can being knocked off everywhere.

What about you guys? What's your fondest memory of tumbang preso? What variation or special mechanics did you remember playing with tumbang preso? If you didn't played it back then, what do you think about it back then and now? Share your thoughts and experience with tumbang preso on the comments section below:

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Disclaimer: Images are a property of their respective copyright owners and this blog is simply a look back at the iconic traditional Filipino game. I've included the links and cited the original resources so the audience here at Retro Pilipinas can check them out to either appreciate them more or collect/avail/purchase them when needed be. Feel free to contact us if you don't want us featuring your related artwork and articles and we'll be removing them immediately.

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Saban's Masked Rider — A Retrospective | ABC-5 90s American Adapted Superhero Kids Show

Saban's Masked Rider or simply Masked Rider was a syndicated live action show produced by Saban Entertainment (the same creators of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, VR Troopers, Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills, and Big Bad Beetleborgs) and originally aired in Fox Kids block from September 16, 1995 to November 20, 1996. Masked Rider was an American adaptation of the 1988 Japanese tokusatsu show and (the then) ninth entry to the Kamen Rider series, Kamen Rider Black RX; which so happen to be a direct follow up to Kamen Rider Black (See our retrospective on Masked Rider Black for more details). In the Philippines, the Associated Broadcasting Company abbreviated as ABC-5 (now known as TV5) aired the Filipino-dubbed American series Saban's Masked Rider on a weekend primetime block. Let's go down memory lane and remember Saban's Masked Rider back in ABC Channel 5 here in the Philippines.


Saban's Masked Rider - The Story
Saban's Masked Rider Series Plot

In a distant planet called Edenoi was once a flourishing planet until a conquering evil tyrant uncle Count Dregon turned it upside down and now has set his eyes on conquering another planet, the Earth. It is up to the Edenoi Prince Dex to thwart the diabolical plans of his uncle with the help of the powers of the Masked Rider passed on to him by his Grandfather King Lexian.

Upon arriving to Earth, he is adopted and took under the roof of a wrm progresive American family, the Stewarts; headed by the couple Hal (American) and Barabara (Asian) couple living together with their two adopted children Albee (African-American son) and Molly (American teenager). Later on Dex along with the Stewart family was joined by Dex' furry friend which is a cross between a bear and a duck happens to be a dwarf bipedal, Ferbus.

Saban's Masked Rider Opening Theme
Saban's Masked Rider Series Intro


Ah the memories I had with Saban's Masked Rider! It was a bittersweet thing looking back at it now. On a time when a young me was hooked watching Filipino-dubbed tokusatsu shows which most are exported from the Land of the Rising Sun (Japan), this show came and somewhat gave a fresh look at things. It sure was very familiar and yet it has American actors on it. A departure from the usual Asian-centric sentai shows we were exposed to back then. Back then, we didn't have the internet and we were basically at the mercy of the local television networks and whatever foreign shows they managed to get their hands on. They decided to pick this up Fox Kids (American) Saban's Masked Rider rather than the original Japanese Kamen Rider Black RX. Maybe it is a cheaper syndication deal (or probably IS all that), but it was what we were exposed to back then. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was already on television back then, so it wouldn't hurt for a child to get hyped with another American superhero show, right?






On a time with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, VR Troopers, and Big Bad Beetleborgs, all of these were perfect for a nerdy child growing up in the 90s. It had (by then) a nice blend of action and silly moments. It had cool transformations and great monsters of the week. If my memory served me correctly, Saban's Masked Rider was aired in the Philippines at around 6:00 PM every Sundays. Well at least that is how I remember it as it is usually dark when I start watching it back then. I usually draw most of the information via Wikipedia, but it doesn't specify the details and history of the local syndication and further details about the show here in our country. Saban's Masked Rider could have aired in ABC-5 at the early 2000, but for now I will be sticking to a late 90s timeline for this feature. Back then, it was mere fun and games; not to mention cool super hero action poses, Masked Rider has all what was needed and it was understood as it was dubbed in Filipino. The cooler parts were the cool action scenes which can be traced more from its Japanese roots rather than its tone down American adaptation.


All the cool stuff from Magna, the talking car to Chopper (reincarnation of Battlehopper from the Kamen Rider Black RX version), the also talking motorcycle are present from its resource material, Kamen Rider Black RX. The only thing that the American adaptation/counterpart offered new is the introduction of Ferbus (which I think is just there to sell plushies, although personally speaking I find him uninteresting), that lighter tone that American kids have been so used to by then (no thanks to obsessive compulsive television censorship), and the somewhat progressive familial set-up of the Stewarts. Everything else is standard Japanese Kamen Rider fair. Oh there also was this special Saban's Masked Rider and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers cross-over episode in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers which was never reference to Masked Rider ever again. XD





But as many shows from the past, adulthood and time has somewhat sour the experience. It later came to my attention that its Japanese origin was far superior in terms of tone and story as what earlier showa era Kamen Rider series were all about. Sometimes... no scrap that, most of the time, kids don't want to be treated as kids and just want their superhero kids entertainment as it is; even it ends up being dark and gritty. Hey, it worked for Batman The Animated Series, sow why not on a Masked Rider? Just look at the animation and kids shows nowadays. We (back then as kids) can handle those kinds of topics, so why dumb it down?


Later on, I managed to get my hands on the original source material which featured the same actor and character from Kamen Rider Black, Minami Kohtaro Minami (Tetsuo Kurata) continuing his story as Black RX. Afterwhich I started thinking that everything America touch was doing the original Japanese content a great disservice. Fast forward to many years later, the internet has made it possible for me to grab and finally follow the series which was deprived of us by local television networks and finally got my hands on the far superior Kamen Rider Black RX. I later accepted the fact that America will be America, and Japan will be Japan as they will do their own thing as observed from both Super sentai and Power Rangers series which is still continuing as of this very day (of me writing this).




While doing this episode I also managed to stumble over this Youtube channel that uses the same style used by the guys at Honest Trailers and make their own spin on tokusatsu and shows adapted by America. Check out Honest Trailers - Saban's Masked Rider while it hasnb't been taken down, because believe me Japanese corporations like to do copyright take downs for stuff that is clearly acceptable under the fair use act. I will make a future post about that and our experience here in Retro Pilipinas related to that, for now enjoy:



How about you guys, have you watched Saban's Masked Rider? were you aware about the existence of its original source material Kamen Rider Black RX? Did you manage to see and watch them both? Any favorite episodes, memorabilias, characters, or merchandise that you have on the Americanized kids show? Share your thoughts and lets go down on a retrospective about Saban's Kamen Rider in the comments section below:

ATBP: Awit, Titik at Bilang na Pambata — A Retrospective | ABS-CBN 90s Educational Children's Television Show

ATBP: Awit, Titik at Bilang na Pambata, directly translates to "And More: Song, Letter and Number for Kids", or simply ATBP was Filipino educational television show for children which aired in ABS-CBN during the 90s. ATBP, which was an abbreviation of "At Iba Pa" (literally translateds to "And More"), had a 30-minute television running time and originally aired from June 1994 to March 1998; it was created and produced by ABS-CBN with executive producer Gilbert Perez, written by Don Cuaresma and Richard Reynante, and directed by Laurenti Dyogi. Let's go down memory lane with this iconic Filipino-centric educational show for kids called ATBP: Awit, Titik at Bilang na Pambata. AB, CD, EF, G, HI, JK, L, M, N, Ñ, Ng...


ATBP: Awit, Titik at Bilang na Pambata - The Show
About - ATBP: Awit, Titik at Bilang na Pambata

ATBP: Awit, Titik at Bilang na Pambata or simply ATBP is an all Filipino educational show for children. If Sineskwela was to Science, Math-tinik was to Math, Bayani was to History or HeKaSi (old grade school curriculum Heograpiya, Kasaysayan, at Sibika), then ATBP was to Filipino. One can even say that ATBP was the Filipino Sesame Street, just like another educational Filipino kid's show, Batibot.

ATBP follows the Sesame Street and Batibot mechanics featuring a combination of human, muppets, and animations usually incorporating sing and dance numbers to convey the lesson of the day. One of the main character in this nostalgic ABS-CBN children's educational morning program is Piolo Pascual who played the role of Kuya Miguel. The other cast of ATBP includes Isay Alvarez as Remy, Raul Arellano as Berting, Dois Riego de Dios as Arman, Zeus Inocencio as Pol, Amiel Leonardia as Lino, Lorna Lopez as Ms. Carunungan, Jake Macapagal as Doctor Millares, Charmaine Nueros as Becky, Janice Pronstroller as Mrs. Millares, and Ama Quiambao as Tinay. ATBP is still being re-aired through educational cable television network, the Knowledge Channel.

ATBP: Awit, Titik at Bilang na Pambata Opening Theme
ATBP: Awit, Titik at Bilang na Pambata Series Intro


ATBP: Awit, Titik at Bilang na Pambata Closing Theme
ATBP: Awit, Titik at Bilang na Pambata Series Outro


So what can be said about ATBP: Awit, Titik at Bilang na Pambata? ATBP will be forever be ingrained for those 90s kid glued to their television. While many will always have Sesame Street and Batibot as their default educational kid's show, ATBP cannot be dimissed. What is the best memory that most of us had with ATBP? Well, one memorable thing about it is its "Alpabetong Filipino" which to me is still relevant and is a great complimentary piece to the English "Alphabet Song." Here is a little clip of that last song syndrome and nostalgic "Alpabetong Filipino" from At Iba Pa (ATBP):





Making this retrospective now, I canb't say that I am someone who have fully followed the show as I recall most of its characters unlike that of other ABS-CBN educational kids show—Sineskwela, Bayani, to name a few— or maybe my memory is fuzzy about it. I also don't recall Piolo Pascual being in it. Maybe I wasn't that big of an ABS-CBN viewer at that time. Maybe you guys have better memory than I do so feel free to share them at the comments section and let's all go down memory lane and relive our ATBP nostalgic past. There is also little information to work with in the ATBP wikipedia entry to jog the memory.


How about you guys? What are your fondest and favorite memories, episodes, characters, and topics covered in the phenomenal ABS-CBN 90s Filipino-themed edutainment kids show? Share your thoughts and opinion about Sineskwela in the comments section below:

Ultraman Tiga | GMA Network 90s Filipino-Dubbed Tokusatsu

Ultraman Tiga was a Filipino-dubbed superhero kids show that aired in GMA Network every weekdays at 4:30 PM during the late 90's from January to July 1999. Ultraman Tiga Ultraman Tiga (ウルトラマンティガ Urutoraman Tiga) was a Japanese tokusatsu series and the 11th show in the Ultra Series. Ultraman Tiga was produced by Tsuburaya Productions originally ran from September 7, 1996 to August 30, 1997 with a total of 52 episodes and with 5 movies. Let's go down memory lane and remember Ultraman Tiga.


Ultraman Tiga - The Story
About Ultraman Tiga

Ultraman Tiga is a show set in an alternate universe in the year 2007-2010 wherein giant monsters and conquering aliens started appearing as was foretold by an apocalyptic prophecy. The Terrestrial Peaceable Consortium (TPC) along with its branch, the Global Unlimited Task Squad (GUTS) was created in response to this threat.

With the help of a holographic message in a capsule found by researchers, the GUTS where able to come by the knowledge about a golden pyramid built by an ancient civilization. Three statues of a race of giants who defended early human civilization on Earth about 30,000,000 years ago was present in the site. GUTS discovered that two of these were destroyed with the third one gaining 'life' from the spiritual energy of officer Daigo who happens to be a descendant of the ancient race. Daigo and the remaining statue merge into a single being, made of light. Defeating the two monsters responsible for destroying the other two giant statues, Daigo is later revealed by the hologram of the prophecy that a great evil that not even the giants could stop destroyed the ancient civilization 30 million years ago.

Ultraman Tiga Opening Theme
Ultraman Tiga Series Intro






"Take Me Higher"
Performed by V6
Japanese Lyrics: Kazumi Suzuki
Arrangement: Yasuhiko Hoshino
String Arrangement: Mitsuo Hagida
Choral Arrangement: Hiroaki Suzuki
Ultraman Tiga Closing Theme
Ultraman Tiga Series Outro



"Brave Love, TIGA"
Artist: Earth Protection Force
Lyrics: Sunplaza Nakano
Composition: Barbe-Q Wasada
Arrangement: Yasuhiko Fukuda




What can be said about Ultraman Tiga's run on GMA Network back in the late 90s? Well, as a 90s kid I can only remember that it was one awesome UltraMan series that featured a multi-formed or multi-suit Ultraman which was not observed in other Ultraman that came before it; well at least that was shown televised here in the Philippines back then. Well, besides that, I have vivid recollection of the story itself. Although the ending theme 'Brave Love, TIGA' has always been stuck in my memory. When making this look back, I thought that it was the opening as to how cool it sounded back then and still is now. when this ended it was later followed up by Ultraman Dyna which was picked up by rival network ABS-CBN. I think I will re-watch this series along with dyna as back then, we haven't had the internet or local stations didn't picked up the five movies that according to information online came out from this series. Who wouldn't want to see Dyna and Tiga in one movie, right?


How about you guys, do you have any memorable moments, episodes, experiences, or merchandise from this nostalgic Ultraman series? Share your thoughts and opinion about Ultraman Tiga's run in Philippine television back in the late 90s in the comments section below and let's discuss: