Set to Change Lives of Filipino Kids: MUSIKWELA

Learned that a new show is being launched, it's called MUSIKWELA. This is an early childhood education and entertainment show where they utilize music, performance, puppetry, animation, and do lots of research so it could be easily understood by its target audience, the Filipino kid.

This all stemmed from experiencing it first hand. Ms. Ellen Estrada was fetching her daughter from school and noticed how her classmates weren't that optimistic in using "Po and Opo" in their conversations. This was something alarming because even if she taught her daughter GMRC, her classmates didn't have access to that too. Having a theater and music background, she was inspired to create the "Po and Opo" and "Ang Bagong Alpabetong Filipino" songs. Unknowingly, it was watched millions of times (3.4 and 4.7 Million) mostly by Filipinos. It became a norm for parents and teachers to use it as a medium for education. They realized how music made the experience of learning more enjoyable and uber fun!

They also joined a government initiated child documentary competition in 2023 (via the DokyuBata Festival of the National Council for Children's Television, an attached agency of the Department of Education). They did a documentary called "Ang Bayani at ang Kanyang Sandok" which teaches nationalism and love for one's country. This started the ball rolling for MUSIKWELA.

Image from their website musikwela.com

 

She harnessed the talent of her daughter Yumi Sansano to lead the show including a throng of folks called MUSIKSCOUTS (Ate Yumi, Potpot, Biboy, and Lala who were a pretty bunch!). She's no ordinary kid because she won awards in WCOPA as champ for Opera in the Juniors Division. She also did Artsy Craftsy in PTV4 a couple years back and have gotten audiences left and right, including the President of the Philippines.

We watched them perform during this event and I could liken them to Sesame Street, Sineskwela, Batibot among others. Knowing there's a huge educational crisis in the Philippines, I felt so happy that kids would have a place to learn how to respect the elderly, how to protect nature, hone their talents, what to do in case of emergencies, and care for Mother Nature in their first few episodes. Ms. Ellen also shared how they are planning to do more in the coming months, plus delve into other subjects (like reading, writing or math). I personally know some kids finish school without learning how to, and I'm hopeful this could address that (even if it doesn't entirely solve it!). Check out the event on video here:

You cannot discount the fact that it has done remarkably well for the 90's kids on why we're street and a little smart, we learned from shows like these albeit unconsciously. This is something that I'd like to happen in this generation too, and perhaps the next ones included. I wept for the shows that went off the air in the past because it has disenfranchised a lot of kids who could have learned from it. They need our help and hopefully, they get the resources to continue this. Currently, thanks to the people who are helping them and sponsors (Victoria Sports Cinema, Ceelin Gummies, Ceelin Immunped, Appebon, Allerkid, White Rabbit Philippines, Wildfire Inc., Shop N Play, Kontrata.PH) that they get to do this with passion. Imagine how many kids would learn from what they do, if millions more would consume their content on FB, their website and YouTube (so go and sub!). We'd have educated kids going out of our homes and schools, wouldn't that be a sight to behold?! 

The first episode will come out on November 11 6PM GMT and will talk about GRANDPARENT's DAY. They will release future episodes on a bi monthly period, so sub to make sure your kids could watch it! I'd like to take this bit and congratulate Ms. Ellen on her efforts, and hope you won't get tired of your passions. Here's hoping a lot of people could help you even more with your future projects!

Filipino Kids: Come Sing and Dance with "The Dadadoos"

There certainly is a huge lack of children's shows in the Philippines. In the past, there's always something that you could watch on TV that teaches not just English, Math or Science, but Filipino custom + good manners which has honed a generation. This has taught them how to count, speak, learn a language and these days, there certainly a few online, but not a full show that does that in 2023.

The folks at FEAST Foundation knew it was time to come out with "The Dadadoos". It's a music and dance group aimed to entertain and teach more about culture, and Filipino values. Kids and Adults alike would be able to see episodes at the FEAST Foundation YouTube channel featuring 9 songs in their first season. Much of these will be based on Filipino nursery rhymes so if you do hear and see something familiar, it'll really be something you can bond on with your kids and whole family. 

 

This is one of the pet productions of FEAST Foundation and the late Shandii Bacolod+ which was conceptualized in 2020. Leading them in this project is Writer and Director Joseph Abello and auditions have been held twice in the same year. During the sessions, they asked the cast to learn a new dance, to see how fast they would be able to pick up the choreography. Aside from that, they needed to see if the cast had chemistry. It was then when they chose Yam Mercado, Iyo Canlas, Maxinne Ignacio, Fiona Sarte, John Arcenas and Vic Robinson to form the group. A special character called "Dada Diwata" will be performed by Rissey Reyes (who's a real deal Disney Princess in HK Disneyland).

There have been several delays in the creation of this show, including Ms. Bacolod's+ passing and actor schedules, but they pulled through. The show will be having their own theme song, something that you and your kids could pick up and enjoy. Aside from that, they will showcase a throng of favorite Filipino children songs like "Pakitong Kitong", "Penpen de Sarapen", among others. It'll surely be a grand time to see kids sing along and play tons of games which they will also do on the show.  This is officially their second project after doing the film "Call Me Papi" which stars Albie Casino, Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera and Aaron Concepcion. 

Here's Episode 1, they also released Episode 2 so make sure you go and subscribe and see them sing and dance on their YouTube Channel!

We also got word that they are working on their third one called "TALAHIB" that will be made by Director Alvin Yapan. This will be done by Joem Bascon, Gillian Vicencio, Kristof Garcia, Jess Mendoza, Dax Alejandro, Kate Alejandrino, Timothy Castillo, Yam Mercado and Iyo Canlas (the last two of whom are also part of The Dadadoos). They are also in the process of doing a modern day take of Florante at Laura. There's certainly more to look forward to in this production company, go follow FEAST Foundation's social channels, meanwhile make sure you subscribe first to the FEAST Foundation YouTube channel so you could watch "The Dadadoos" when more episodes come out!

Share the Love and Give Back with AIA Philam Life

2020 is about to end and hopefully, nothing bad will happen from hereon. We remain good, hopeful, we learned a lot, and lucky to still have our time with family and friends at the comforts of our home this Christmas. But think about it, not everyone is actually lucky. There are folks who lost their jobs, families who got hungry, even organizations, foundations and charitable institutions who lost funding because everyone is in dire straights when the lock down happened. I just hope they're not suffering, especially the people, the children who they are taking care of.

Anyway, we still have a lot to be thankful for. The question I always ask my interviewees when I end a session is "What are you thankful for?", I guess in the months we've been locked in on our homes, it still brought something good with humanity. People have sought and helped family, other folks, relative or not, just pretty much our fellow Filipino. It's also the right thing to do.

AIA Philam Life is doing the same. They're giving back to one of these charities:

SOS Children’s Village -  An NGO focused on fostering care for children.

Haribon Foundation - All for biodiversity and conservation.

Leonard Cheshire Foundation - A health and welfare charity organization.

Anawin Home for the Elderly - A care center for the abandoned and elderly.

There are more. If you become the winner, you can get to choose a partner charity organization. They will receive Php 100,000 from AIA Philam life, which I'm sure they need right now. This is the AIA Philam Life Share the Love and Give Back Promo. You may check the whole mechanics here https://bit.ly/PALSignUpForACauseMechanics. You can also sign up for it here https://bit.ly/PALSignUpForACause so you can help them help others. Check out the hashtag #TuloyAngBuhay on social channels to see more of it.

That's a good thing.