Bayani | An ABS-CBN 90s Educational Show Retrospective

Bayani 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. Bayani aired from 1995-2001 on Philippine television network, ABS-CBN. Bayani, as the title state is a weekly edutainment kids show that follows the adventure of two children as they magically travel back in time to retrieve historical items from the collection of a from a mysterious old person living in a cave.

Bayani ABS-CBN Foundation's Educational Television Show - The Story
Bayani Plot

ABS-CBN's Bayani follows two elementary school students Noli (played by child actor Angelo Cometa) and Aya (Celine Lirio) as they accidentally stumbled on a mysterious cave to evade a group of school bullies after them. They saw a mysterious light which lead to a similarly mysterious old man played by Rolando Santos Tinio who tells them that he is the guardian of the mysterious cave which holds the memories of Philippine history and the spirit of the country.

The old man tells them that they were destined to discover the cave and are chosen ones of pure heart to access the Aklat ng Kasaysayan (Book of History). The old man asks them for their consent to go on this magical adventure through time to retrieve various lost and stolen historical items from different time periods. Bayani's pilot episodeis entitled "Abaniko" (fan) which follows the adventure of Noli and Aya back in Andres Bonifacio's timeline to retrieve the first fan the the national hero created he created. On later episodes, Rolando Santos Tinio was replaced by various actress and later with Caridad Sanchez as "Lola" (grandmother) in Bayani. Lola also guided the children and gave them missions on what items to retrieve back in various points in Philippine history.

Bayani ABS-CBN Foundation's Educational Television Show Opening Theme
ABS-CBN's Bayani Intro

Praise ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. for creating an entertaining educational television show Bayani for Filipino children back in the 90s in Philippine television network, ABS-CBN. As a student, the show did what it is suppose to, and in flying colors... to teach history to kids in a fun and effective way. I personally learned new things about the lives of some of our national heroes which sometimes were not taught in school. The show also introduced more national historical heroes besides what we (students) knew that time. Having quality television shows like this, I can say that I am happy and proud to grow up in the 90s.

What about you guys? What do you think about ABS-CBN's Bayani? What are your most unforgettable and memorable episode in the educational show? Share your thoughts about Bayani on the comments section below:

Pintados | GMA 90s Filipino Superhero Show

Pintados, Painted Ones is a Philippine action-adventure super hero television series from GMA Network which ran from September 1999 – April 2000. Pintados follows five ordinary teenagers from all walks of life who also came from families victimized by heinous crimes. The five teenagers were trained in various armed and technological combat and ultimately became part of a secret crime fighting group to preserve, protect and fight for justice.

Pintados - The Story
GMA Network's Pintados Plot

After several rich Filipino families become victims of terrible crimes, they agree to set up and fund a foundation to battle the criminals. Under the command of "Guro", an unsanctioned agency of the government sets up a clandestine crime fighting unit. Each of the members is themself a victim of hideous crimes. This elite unit taken from all walks of life take a leaf from Filipino warriors of old, and cloak themselves in armour, ethnic war paint and tattoos, gaining the name "The Pintados" (Painted Ones). Opposing Pintados is the army of the human/reptile hybrid Katana.

The Pintados are mentored by Guro (Robert Seña). The Pintados is comprise of Daniel Cervantes a.k.a. DATU (Michael Flores), a swordsman with Kris as his main weapon, a master of Jui-Jistu, and is able to project an energy wave "Enerhiyang Alon" that is capable of knocking people out or blasting through objects; Reewa Zulueta a.k.a. DIWATA (Angelica Dela Cruz), skilled thai kick boxer, has a neutraliser whip as her main weapon, and uses the "Salaming Salamanka" Holographic Imager that is capable of emitting both convincing holograms and holographic force fields; Antonio Sto. Domingo a.k.a. TATTO (Vandolph Quizon), computer expert and genius, uses a Taser Blaster and a Titanium Yo-yo, he uses his stealth shield generator, the "Kalasag ng Hunyango" Chameleon Shield; Maya Feliciano a.k.a. MAYUMI (ASSUNTA DE ROSSI), skilled in Aikido, uses of Nunchuks and is also armed with a yellow laser -the Yellow Flame; and Pido Zapata a.k.a. KIDLAT (Sherwin Ordoñez), specialist in street fighting, armed with the "Latigong Kidlat" Electromagnetic Pulse Blast which can disrupt any electronic or mechanical devices in it's blast radius. Their villains roster includes Anak Araw - Albino Crime Syndicate leader, Manananggal, Katana - a human-reptile hybrid, Dr. Virus, Damarama, Uno Dos Tres, and Thundara.

Pintados could very well be the first time that GMA Network adapted the fantasy series genre, not to mention adapting the popular super sentai series format of Japan. Just look at them, a group comprises of five teenagers transforming into crime fighters. Pintados also featured a kick-ass opening theme from Philippine's Master rapper himself, Francis Magalona. Too bad as I haven't seen any Pintados opening theme videos over at Youtube.

What are you fondest memory or how about most memorable episode of Pintados? Share your thoughts about Pintados in the comments section below: