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:

Beakman's World | RPN 9's 90s Educational Children's Show

Beakman's World was a popular educational children's show that locally aired (initially) every Sunday afternoon at around 5:00 on RPN-9 during the 90s. Beakman's World which was based on the Universal Press Syndicate syndicated comic strip "You Can with Beakman and Jax" created by Jok Church that originally run from September 18, 1992 – December 6, 1997 distributed by Sony Pictures Television in the U.S. and in other countries. The edutainment show premiered on The Learning Channel (TLC) cable network and was later moved to CBS Saturday morning children’s block on September 18, 1993. Just like any kids show of the past, it suddenly came to a halt as it was cancelled around 1998 but not without leaving a mark to the countless of kids who grew up watching this very educational and entertaining world of Science through the eyes and world of Beakman. The series ran for 4 Seasons with each Season featuring more humor and four female assistant changes. Let's take a look back on this very educational and entertaining Beakman's World from the 90s.


Beakman's World - The Show
About Beakman's World

Beakman's World featured an eccentric Scientist called Beakman (played by Paul Zaloom) who answers generally Science-related mail by televiewers where he then gives a thorough and comical explanation, demonstrations, and experimentation.


Throughout the series run, Beakman's female assistant has been changed with Josie (played by Alanna Ubach) for season 1; Liza (played by Eliza Schneider) for seasons 2 and 3; and Phoebe (played by Senta Moses) for season 4. Besides the lovely female assistant, one show staple is that clueless guy in the rat suit a.k.a "Lester The Rat" (played by Mark Ritts). There is also unseen cameraman "Ray" (played by prop-master Ron Jancula's hands) occasionally assists beakman and is very "handy" and "Beakmon" (played by actress Jean Stapleton) which rarely appeared on the show as Beakman's mother. There are also two "lovable" puppet penguins Don (voiced by Bert Berdis) and Herb (voiced by Alan Barzman) who are usually seen at the beginning, before or after commercial breaks and end of the show commentating in their home at the South Pole watching Beakman on their television.


Beakman's world is memorable for its many colorful characters usually played by Paul and Mark (e.g. when they bring in famous and generally deceased scientist to explain about their theories). There is also "The Beakman's Challenge", a show's regular segment where Beakman challenge Lester to do a stunt that he clumsily can't execute but will later be flawlessly executed by a basic scientific feat.

Beakman's World Opening Theme
Beakman's World Series Intro



Beakman's World Theme
Composed by Mark Mothersbaugh
As a kid growing up in the 90s, Beakman's World was awesome! It was perfectly placed in the afternoon Sunday time slot. I usually tune in to the funny antics of Beakman and Lester and the many characters the cast plays. This was the show that got me hooked up to Science which I eventually adored all the way up to high school but then it suddenly became way tougher come College with Chemistry and Physics XD. Now that I am an adult in the real world, it is fun going back to this world of Science initially introduced to me by Paul Zaloom and the rest of the Beakman's World cast.


I mostly remember the fun brought by the show. The characters like Art Burn, Meekman, Don and Herb, and the many guest Scientists also portrayed by Paul Zaloom. I also grew fond of expressions like "Ba-Da-Bing... Ba-Da-Bang... Ba-da-Boom!" and "Zaloom!" usually muttered by Beakman.


I love how Beakman has opened up the wondrous world of Science to kids (like myself back in the days) in a fun and unique way. The humor that the show has can still be appreciated up to this day and I can say is in par with some troll humor (highly subjective by I find most of them really funny) of today. Beakman has truly left a lasting impression to me. Although there have been quite a few contemporary local Science-related edutainment shows, nothing comes close to what Beakman has left in my mind. Kids might be more hooked to AHA!, I Bilib, or Matanglawin. Probably it is a generation thing or my nostalgia talking.


Ever wondered what happened to the cast of Beakman's World or what is it like to work behind the scenes? Well, wonder no more! There are a series of Youtube videos featuring Paul Zaloom touring around the world and speaking in conventions talking about Beakman's World. Check out these series of clips from The Funday Pawpet Show's Megaplex 2010 Weird Weird Science! featuring Paul Zaloom as a special guest and just like Beak Mania, he answered them all in an unadulterated honest to goodness manner (Just like Beak's):











How about you guys? What are your fondest memories, favorite episode(s), characters, or segment on Beakman's World? Share your thoughts and experiences about this popular 90s edutainment children's television show called Beakman's World in the comments section below: