Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Hammy's TV: Batibot Returns on Philippine TV

Yes! You read it right! Batibot, the children show which made Kuya Bodjie, Ate Sienna, Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing a household name, is scheduled to make a comeback on Philippine free TV. TV5 formally announced that the long-time children show will be seen again starting November 27.

Batibot, which started on 1984, has been seen from almost every local channel. It started with RPN 9 (now Solar TV 9) and PTV 4 (now NBN 4), then transferred to ABS-CBN, then later transferred to GMA 7 when ABS-CBN produced its own set of children show. It was in 1996, almost a decade after it was launched, that the current host network (GMA 7) advised to cut the airing of the show. This was due to stiff competition from the rival network (ABS-CBN) and due to the fast rise of cable television which promoted Cartoon Network and Disney Channel.

Philippine Children's Television Foundation (PCTVF) which produces the show came into a partnership with TV 5 to relaunch Batibot as part of the network's response to the need for an educational show on TV. This might be a bold move for the network especially they are currently dubbed as 3rd player in race to TV ratings domination.


I hope that this new version of Batibot will be able to teach good lessons to today's children and entertain not only them but also the people who grew up with the show like me. It's just sad that Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing will not be there when the show comes back. But no need to worry since Kapitan Basa, Manang Bola, Ning-ning, Ging-ging together with Koko Kwik Kwak will be there to continue the tradition. The puppets will be joined by Kuya Fidel (Abner Delina) and Ate Maya (Kakki Teodoro) as the new play buddies. Teodoro is more known as the female lead of High School Musical shown in Hongkong Disneyland outdoor show. Batibot will be shown weekly starting Saturday, November 27 at 8:30 - 9:00 AM.

All images came from Starmometer

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