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

Sineskwela was Filipino educational television show for children that aired in ABS-CBN during the 90s. Sineskwela which was alternatively known as "School on Air", was produced by ABS-CBN Foundation with the Science Education Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Education (DepEd). Let's go down memory lane with this iconic educational show for kids called Sineskwela. Tayo na sa Sineskwela...


Sineskwela - The Show
About Sineskwela

Sineskwela presented and explained otherwise complicated principles and concepts of science and technology through dramatization and visual effects. It also demonstrated the practical application of science in familiar life situations, thereby allowing the information to be easily understood and appreciated by its young viewers.

Sineskwela was a curriculum-based show and catered to public elementary students from Grade 2 to 6. The DepEd mandated that it be shown in the science class of each grade level at least once a week. Five episodes--one for each of the five grade levels--were shown every week. Each episode presented different problems and situations in which the characters had a chance to explore the world of science. The characters would gather information not just through library research but also through laboratory experiments, field investigations, on-the-scene reporting, and use of visual effects. An example would be the show's characters, Anatom and Agatom, shrinking to the size of molecules and entering biological organisms such as a flower or a dog. In these mini-adventures, they would encounter several personifications of bacteria, pollen, and other possible objects who explain the related scientific theories and phenomena.


The Sineskwela cast included Christine Bersola playing as the character Anatom, Brennan Espartinez as Agatom, Sheena Ramos as Palikpik, Maan Munsayac as Kulitsap, Roobak Valle as Ugatpuno, Frederico Gonzales as Bok, Giselle Sanchez as Ate Giselle, and Winnie Cordero as Ate Winnie.

Source: Sineskwela on WikiPilipinas

Sineskwela Opening Theme
Sineskwela Series Intro



Sineskwela Theme Song
Composed by: Ryan Cayabyab

Bawat bata may tanong,
Ba't ganito, bat gano'n?
Hayaang buksan ang isipan
Sa science o agham...

Tayo na sa Sineskwela
Tuklasin natin ang siyensya
Buksan ang pag-iisip
Tayo'y likas na scientist!

Tayo na sa Sineskwela
Tuklasin natin ang siyensya
Kinabukasan ng ating bayan
Siguradong makakamtan!

Sa daigdig ng agham
Tuklasin ang kaalaman
Halina't lumipad
Sa daigdig ng isipan

Tayo na sa Sineskwela
Tuklasin natin ang siyensya
Kinabukasan ng ating bayan
Siguradong makakamtan

Kaya't habang maaga
Mag-aral ng siyensya
Sa teknolohiya,
Ang buhay ay gaganda... ahhhh...

Tayo na sa Sineskwela
Tuklasin natin ang siyensya
Buksan ang pag-iisip
Tayo'y likas na scientist

Tayo na sa Sineskwela
Tuklasin natin ang siyensya
Kinabukasan ng ating bayan
Si-gu-ra-dong maka-kamtaaaaaan...




What is there to say about Sineskwela? Actually quite a lot. Well, that is for us who grew up watching Sineskwela back in the 90s. Sineskwela was a good educational show. It piqued the curiosity and interest of grade school students in Science and Technology. It re-define how Science should be taught. That Science can be learned and presented in a fun and entertaining way and not as a dull and boring cold textbook type of one. This is probably one of the factor, why I considered Science as one of my favorite subjects back in grade school, well except for the tedious memorization during recitations and exams hahaha. It featured a good format which seems to be lacking with most contemporary educational programming (2015 - as of the time of this writing) that major television networks are coming up with nowadays. Although Sineskwela did use various stock footage from other foreign Science shows way back in the days (maybe for the lack of other resource), the show was still able to properly explain science to kids.



Some episodes of Sineskwela have been uploaded on Youtube for you to have an idea of what the show looks and feels like. Simply search "sineskwela" on Youtube.
Some Sineskwela episodes that truly left a mark with me are the episode dedicated to photosynthesis with discussion of chlorophyll; and water treatment process before it becomes safe and drinkable with a jingle that describes the process of sedimentation, filtration, boiling, and distillation. Sineskwela, just like Beakman's World were a groundbreaking edutainment shows for children that will forever be in the hearts of those who grew up watching them and has a penchant for Science and learning.


How about you guys? What are your fondest and favorite memories, episodes, characters, and topics covered in the phenomenal ABS-CBN 90s Science-theme edutainment kids show? Have you seen newer contemporary Science educational programs that has the same feel and vibe to Sineskwela? Do these new shows work or have done a better work that what most of us grew up with Sineskwela? Share your thoughts and opinion about Sineskwela in 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: