Batang Bibbo

all songs composed & arranged by Teresa Barrozo
lyrics by Augie Rivera

To supplement the educational and social needs of children, food firm giant CDO-Foodsphere Inc has partnered with GMA Network for its creative and highly ambitious educational preschool show, aptly titled as Batang Bibbo!

In a press conference, company president Jerome Ong said the show “marked the formal launch of their hunger for education" advocacy.

The thirty-minute weekly show aims to educate than to entertain, Ong said.

It would inspire preschoolers into “becoming physically fit, socially active, mentally alert, emotionally, and morally responsible," he added.

Joy Madrigal, the program manager of the show, said the concept of Batang Bibbo! is very timely since “most of the pre-school(ers in the country) could not (even) avail (proper) education."

The show will feature two puppets named Bi and Bo, in a magical learning land called “Bibolandia."

They will be joined by "Ate Anne," who would take them to the world of learning and discovery.

In an interview with GMNews.TV, CDO senior marketing manager Jonathan Bendicion said the show will differ from previous educational shows by focusing on the combination of two aspects: social skills and language development.

By language development, Bendicion said, the show would focus on teaching the preschoolers the proper use of Filipino language.

In this age of modern communication, the correct use of the language has become very “confusing," he added.

“(The language that we are going to use is) pure Filipino. Maraming mga foreign shows ngayon pero wala kang makita na pure Filipino yung ginagamit," Bendicion said.

“Everything that will be used here is going to be original," Auggie Rivera, the show’s story writer, added.

Rivera, who was also the writer in the defunct kiddie show Batibot, said Batang Bibbo! is not just about the typical combination of puppetry song and story telling. Rather, it equally targets the child’s moral aspect, like teaching them respect for “diversity."

Although specifically designed for children aged three to six years old, the show could be enjoyed by the parents as well, said Roxanne Barcelo, who will play the role of "Ate Anne."

For her part, Barcelo also encouraged the parents, especially the new ones, to join their kids in watching the series. She explained that by watching the show, they can get tips on how they could further nurture the needs of their children.

Batang Bibbo! will start airing over GMA 7 every Saturday starting November 8 from 8:30 to 9 a.m.

Every Saturday
8:30-9am
GMA7

Source: www.igma.tv

Not much to say. But before GMA'a Batang Bibbo, CDO (a food-company) promotes Sirit! which features the same actor and puppets. It aired on ABS-CBN every Saturday mornings last year.

Chillitees' Animated Music Video - Sama Na

I don't realize that there was an animated music video combined with a Pinoy band performance. The music video was entitled "Sama Na" performed by Chillitees in year 2006. Although the animation seemed used in Adobe Flash or any computer-animation tool, the scenes makes sense at all. Great video.

Video Information
Animation: Elmer Ona & Ben Riego of WATUSI Productions.
Character designs: Paolo Lim, Elmer Ona & Ben Riego.
Written, directed and edited: Dan Gil
Cinematography and additional direction:Elmer Ona & Ben Riego.

















By the way, don't forget the Sama Na music video here.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 1987 version

Here's another classic yet a still cool cartoon that began it's popularity. I assume the title is called "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" but before the 2003 version of it, there's the 80's version. I'll try to take notes on this one.

Before the height of popularity, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or TMNT for short began as comic series in 1984. Originally created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. The content of the comics were black and white strips. The four turtle characters wearing masks with different weapons each and act as cold-blooded reptiles with incredible martial art skills. Some characters and storyline were parodied and referenced from Marvel Comic's titles like Cerebus, Ronin, and Daredevil. Because there are no publishing companies to offer Eastman and Laird's work, both creators build their own studio known as Mirage Studios and published their first issue entitled Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

In the mainstream in the first issue, merchandising jumped into mainstream. In 1986, TMNT's merchandise began as action figures and expand to the market. Then in 1987, the first TMNT cartoon was born.

Clockwise: Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo and Donatello.

The first TMNT cartoon series began in 5-part miniseries and thus becoming a regular Saturday morning cartoon. The four mutated ninja turtles played as pizza-obsessed heroes with their different personality. They're also first appeared with their color-coded masks each plus their belts. The four turtles are guided with their mutated rat and martial arts sensei named Splinter. The turtles task is to save the city from enemies and alien invaders. Their toughest nemesis is named "The Shredder" or simply called Shredder.

The show doesn't contain darker tone from the original comics because the show aims to be suitable for children. The plot began when Splinter, before being a rat was a human named Hamato Yoshi. He was banished by Foot Clan in Japan lead of Oroku Saki and forced to live in sewers in New York City. Then one day, Yoshi found four turtles which they were accidentally drop by a young boy. Yoshi returned one day that the turtles were covered with green ooze known as mutagen and thus the turtles began to form into humanoids. While Hamato Yoshi, become a humanoid rat because of exposure to sewer rats and named himself Splinter. In some versions, Splinter raised the four turtles and treat them as his children. Splinter named the four turtles after his favorite Renaissance artists - Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello and taught them the art of ninjitsu. The four ninja turtles were born to protect the city against the invaders and meanwhile Oroku Saki left Japan to find Yoshi and become Shredder.

There are many characters from the comics appeared in the cartoons like the Foot Soldiers, April O' Neil and Casey Jones. There are also characters who were featured in cartoons only. While the story was heavily diverged from the original concept of comics. At first, the animated series wasn't considered canon in the Mirage Studios universe. Later on, because the cartoon showed it's wide-spread incarnation and helped increase the merchandise and phenomenal status it turned out into a pop-culture even today. Many people considered the cartoon as a canon and become the part of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe. Merchandises like soundtracks, cereals, skateboards, video games, Archie comics, magazines and pizza coupons are spawned successfully. Even a concert tour were held. There are catchphrases such as "Turtle power!" and "Cowabunga!" are used by many people especially fans.

What can I say about TMNT 1987 version? Well, aside from kid-friendly environment I pretty considered them as one of the greatest classic cartoons I watched aside from Transformers. When it comes to all TMNT cartoons and anime (yes, there were two anime versions of it) the 80's rocked the spot which means the first TMNT. With lots of casts and twisted storyline, I guess that TMNT helped explain their original counterparts and branched to the other TMNT successors. What might discourage me is that in later seasons around 1994, the environment became darker which kinda scary and removed numerous characters. Deep down, I don't mind about what doesn't seem right and besides 1987's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is really great and pretty nostalgic.

Currently, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles airs on Studio 23 every 8:00-8:30 AM Saturdays. Before that schedule, ABS-CBN aired that also together with the new season around mid-90's along with X-Men. In 2006 or 2007, the show moved to Studio 23 which aired every weekday nights before it moved to Saturday mornings. The opening theme here is catchy which seems that you'll almost sing the lyrics all day. Like any cartoons I've seen, I have no idea who composed or sang the TMNT opening song.

"Guardian" Del Monte Pineapple Commercial

This latest Del Monte Pineapple commercial really impress me a lot and I don't have any negative comments to say. A one-minute digital animation presented in this commercial was released last December during the time when the movie Dayo released. This TV commercial is directed by Gorio Vicuna.

Somewhere in a faraway kingdom, it was a peaceful kingdom which contains a lot of Del Monte Pineapple cans as their treasure until one night a group of bad guys took the treasure. The kingdom become a gloomy place and the King called the three children Tinay, Lucas and Lito. The kids were ordered to retrieve the kingdom's treasure from the bad guys.

I guess the commercial helps people especially kids to engage eating pineapple like Del Monte Pineapple plus the animation style.

Jobert the Animated Series (2009)

Jobert is a 13-episode Philippine animation with English subtitles. Based on a (unfamiliar) comic series published by Miracle Publishing Corporation. It was chosen to be made into another "Pinoy anime" by Miracle Animation Studios Inc. and Top Peg Animation. Watch out for it because Jobert will appear in Philippine television in the first quarter this year. I wonder what network station will promote this series?

Ibong Adarna / Adarna: The Mythical Bird (1997)

I guess I need to perch this one out.

For earlier days of Filipino animation, one of the biggest and main problem for having few produced animation series is that the expensive budget should use. Efforts of producers and animators of Filipino-animation seem needs a lot of support from the critics and also many people will responsible to watch their output. One objective for Filipino-animators during the 1980's to mid-1990's was to create cartoons for TV that we can be proud of (Filipino-made cartoon, that is) and they did what they do. The first early cartoons made by Filipino's was Ang Panday, Darna and Captain Barbell which I think appeared in RPN 9 during 80's. Then again, those cartoons were to be cheap and they're in a short run-time because of the budget needs to be produce. Unlike from the cartoons from USA or Japan, the quality of animation in the Philippines seems less dense. But the early animation industry of the Philippines appear to be fine examples why many Filipino people familiarize the Filipino-animation.

In the mid-90's, a charcoal portrait artist named Gerry A. Garcia spread out the idea of having Filipino-made animation. Like I discussed about Isko: Adventures in Animasia, Gerry was responsible for getting Filipinos to show their another talent by means of animation or showing a full-length movie in cartoons. A full-length animation was (well at least) succeed in movie industry and "Ibong Adarna" or known as "Adarna: The Mythical Bird" in English would tell why our country is familiar in local animation.

"Ibong Adarna" was like a dream-come true for many Filipino animators or people who want to see animated features made by Filipinos. A full-length animation needs years of effort and responsibility of producers. Before getting into animation, it's no wonder why producers decided to adapt the cartoon based on a Filipino folklore which I rather save that kind of explanation. FLT Films and Guiding Light Production joined forces for production while Gerry Garcia did the script and became the director of the movie. Because that happened in the 90's, they used cel-animation technique (with 3D effects?) and need many hours of time for voice recording, storyboards, drawing and so on.

In order to improve the full-length animation, the producers picked out famous artists from Philippine showbiz. One of the cast of "Ibong Adarna" was Jolina Magdangal who did the voice of the mythical bird Adarna (she sings too). Other voice actors include Marvin Agustin, Martin Nieverra and Regine Velasquez. Then again, the "Songbird" Regine Velasquez sang few songs for the movie.

From time-consuming work for a single featured movie to showing to movie-public, "Ibong Adarna" appeared to cinemas on Christmas Day and became the part of Metro Manila Film Festival in 1997. Sadly, what the result of the animation receive mixed reviews but it receive two awards-a special award from Metro Manila Film Festival 1997 and honored in 7th Hiroshima Animation Festival as "Asian collection" in 1998. I don't know if this is true but some people say who remembered watching that movie said some parts of the animation loose quality. Meanwhile the producers were not able to recover their investment. Gerry Garcia, on the other hand claimed to be "Walt Disney of the Philippines" and "Father of Filipino Animation" after his works like Isko: Adventures in Animasia and Ibong Adarna. I haven't heard much of the movie's merchandises or support from other franchise unlike Dayo and Urduja. After receiving two awards, Gerry Garcia take a break in New Jersey since 1998.

Many articles from mass media said that Urduja is the full-length animation but Ibong Adarna took the place as first full-length animation.Gerry Garcia felt dissapointed when Ibong Adarna is back stabbed by Urduja for claiming for "first full-lenght animation" place. I don't know how come many people thought Urduja is the first but I guess they forgot the history of Filipino animation or judging the quality. Gerry said in an article that his work is his pride and joy which makes him honored in animation.Maybe because he planned the animation idea for Filipinos in order to avoid too much "colonial mentality" from cartoons from other countries and make Philippines have a large industry when it comes to animation. Still, animators like Gerry Garcia never lose hope as if one day a break will find them.

In the internet days, at least many people discuss about Philippine animation especially they hope that they want too see many Filipino-made cartoons with their original and higher quality.Images or video trailers from the past Filipino animation like Ang Panday or Ibong Adarna are rare that needs to ask to search engines.I have no idea when is the last time Ibong Adarna appeared on television. Gerry Garcia's Ibong Adarna is much different from the other Ibong Adarna cartoon trailer here. No doubt asking if the result of mixing 2D and 3D animation style would be horrible or not.

World Masterpiece Theater Series Aired in the Philippines Part Three

Princess Sarah / Purinsesu Sēra or Shoukoujo Sarah (1985)

Princess Sarah is the another entry of World Masterpiece Theater series launched in 1985 and based on a novel A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This story tells about a young girl named Sarah Crewe, who is the daughter of a wealthy British family, who start's attending all-girl's boarding school in London. There, she excels in studies and made lots of friends and classmates until she encounter her tragic fate. Tragedy strikes when Sarah's father died from fever and his business is bankrupt which makes Sarah became an orphan. Miss Minchin the school headmistress makes Sarah miserable by making her as a maid. However, with the help of Sarah's friends, Sarah preserves her courage and faith in order to endure the hardships she receive until to return her reputation.

Princess Sarah is probably the most popular World Masterpiece Theater series aired in the Philippines. Since it aired during early 90's in ABS-CBN, children viewer's become fascinated to the storyline and characters which makes the runaway success. Princess Sarah also made two live-action series. In 1995, inspired in the anime series the movie was created entitled "Sarah, Ang Munting Prinsesa" featuring Camille Pratts as Sarah Crewe and Jean Garcia as Miss Minchin. Produced by Star Cinema and ABS-CBN, the movie also became a success that even it was filmed in Scotland. Another one was in 2007 as teleserye in ABS-CBN featuring Sharlene San Pedro as Sarah Crewe and Sheryl Cruz as Miss Maria Minchin.

The last time Princess Sarah aired in ABS-CBN was 2008.

The Story of Pollyanna, Girl of Love / Ai Shōjo Porianna Monogatari (1986)

Based on the 1913 novel Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter, the title character Pollyanna Whittier a young orphan who lives in the Beldingsville, Vermont along with her wealthy Aunt Polly. Being a happy-go-lucky and cheerful girl, test the strong bond with her aunt. "The Story of Pollyanna, Girl of Love" is the first (or one) of the World Masterpiece Theater series had two opening and ending themes.

The title is also called "Pollyanna" in the Philippines. It was aired on GMA and ABS-CBN. ABC 5 aired the series during late 90's and only World Masterpiece Theater series that aired in ABC 5 (now TV 5). I had no idea when this actually aired last time but according to Anime News Network, the airing year was in 2002 in GMA.

Little Prince Cedie / Shōkōshi Sedi or Shoukoushi Ceddie (1988)

Little Prince Cedie is based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's book, Little Lord Fauntleroy. The novel was chosen to adapt into anime as a part of World Masterpiece Theater series in 1988. The anime focuses of a young American boy named Cedric Errol or also known as "Cedie". He leaves New York to live in other place to the ancestral castle as a heir in British earldom. Joined by his parents especially his grandfather, Cedric is taught by being an aristocrat but Cedie wants to know compassion, social justice and also the motherly love. Ran in 43 episodes, Kôzô Kusuba directed the series.

Like in Princess Sarah's Tagalog title, Little Prince Cedie is entitled "Cedie, and Munting Prinsipe" and also a runaway hit in the Philippines. It also reached into live-action movie produced by Star Cinema although it is said that it's less popular than the movie version of Princess Sarah. I forgot when it is the last time the anime aired but probably 2007 or last year. "Little Prince Cedie" was awarded in 2008 Anak TV Seal Awards.

The Adventures of Peter Pan / Pītā Pan no Bōken (1989)

Like any previous cartoon adaptations of Peter Pan including from Disney, the Japanese version of Peter Pan was created in 1989 as an anime. It is an adaptation of the original and classic novel Peter Pan novel by James Matthew Barrie. The anime version starts when Wendy dreamed about she is rescued by a flying, young boy named Peter Pan and the battle between him and Captain Hook. Suddenly, Wendy and her two brothers John and Michael go to Neverland and Wendy became the 'mother' of the Lost Boys in the forest. Throughout middle of episodes, Peter and his crew go off as they fight the pirates and romance developed in Peter and Wendy. The last few episodes go into twists of the story from the novel and introduced Princess Luna, who will play as the granddaughter of an evil witch who controls the time of Neverland. The anime was directed by Takashi Nakamura and Yoshio Kiruda, and spanned 41 episodes in total.

The last time The Adventures of Peter Pan aired was last year in ABS-CBN. The title is called "Peter Pan".

My Daddy Long Legs / Watashi No Ashinaga Ojisan (1990)

My Daddy Long Legs is based on the novel Daddy-Long-Legs written by Jean Webster. Before the World Masterpiece Theater series, a TV-anime special of "Daddy Long Legs" was created under Tatsunoko Productions in 1979 entitled Ashinaga Ojisan, directed by Masakazu Higuchi. During the WMT series, My Daddy Long Legs was created in 1990. There are few altered storylines and character designs were developed but there are original sources from the novel. The major difference from the anime to the novel is that the main characters we're set during the protagonist's high school years rather in college. I think that "My Daddy Long Legs" should be attractive to children televiewers especially girls when they're high school just like any anime shows that feature high school students.

Judy Abbott, a 14-year-old orphan was raised in John Grier Home and was chosen to study to Lincoln Memorial High School by a mysterious benefactor named "John Smith". After Judy saw a tall shadow leaving, she nicknamed him "Daddy Long Legs". The only payment that will Judy give is to write monthly letters to Daddy Long Legs, without any responds from the benefactor. Little known that letter writing helps Judy develop her writing skills. The series covers Judy's life in 3 years, starting from arrival to Lincoln Memorial High School, discovering what's life both in school and city and up to high school graduation.

In the Philippines, the anime was called "Judy" in ABS-CBN and aired in year 2002. In 2007, the title was called "Daddy Long Legs" when it aired to Q. The last time "My Daddy Long Legs" was re-aired was in Q last year.

(continue to part 4)

World Masterpiece Theater Seres Aired in the Philippines Part Two

Anne of Green Gables / Akage no An or "Red-haired Anne" (1979)

Anne of Green Gables is the sixth entry of World Masterpiece Theater adapted from the novel Anne of Green Gables by writer Lucy Maud Montgomery. This series tells about Anne Shirley's life in Prince Edward Island who was raised in a orphanage and was accidentally adopted by the Cuthbert siblings,who thought they requested to adopt a boy to help raise the farm. With Anne's vivid imagination and chatter, the Cuthberts thought nothing will be same in Green Gables without her.

This is the one of the series became popular in exporting countries in Asia especially in Europe. If you watch any of it's series, you'll notice the character's dialogue are similar to the original novel. That's because Isao Takahata chose Anne of Green Gables to make anime series very true from the original source rather being altered unlike his previous works (Heidi and 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother). Miyazaki on the other hand, produce the setting and layout until the 15th episode of the series.The novel Anne of Green Gables is still loved and popular around the world even from Canada (Canada considered the original novel as their icon and every people knows Anne). The novel and it's anime version are still loved even today that Nippon Animation is planning to make the prequel entitled Before Green Gables. Although it is also based from the novel but not from the original author, let's hope that the young Anne Shirley will be the same as when she's in Green Gables. More information about the anime's prequel here.

The last time I've seen this adapted anime was last year in Q. I'm waiting for next more months to Q re-air Anne of Green Gables like they did in Rascal. Anne of Green Gables was nominated in 2008 Anak TV Seal Awards.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer / Tomu Sōyā no Bōken (1980)

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is another adapted anime series in 1980 directed by Hiroshi Saito. The anime is based on the popular novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. A mischievous young orphan named Thomas "Tom" Sawyer goes through series of adventures and scrapes with his friends including his best friend Huckleberry Finn. Set into the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri. Though Tom's morals and mischief who knows that he wanted to be a pirate or become a detective someday.

The last time this chum aired was in ABS-CBN last year. Ran 49 episodes.

The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island / Kazoku Robinson Hyōryūki Fushigi na Shima no Furōne (1981)

Journeys of a Swiss family set up in this anime version. The story is based on the novel "Swiss Family Robinson" by Swiss author Johann David Wyss. The big difference between the original novel and the anime is that Fione is a new character in Nippon Animation and not present in original novel. The main characters aside from Fione are the father, mother and four sons who get many adventures from being shipwrecked in the East Indies. They must find the way by being "castaways" and survive in the mysterious island.

I have no clue when is the last time this one aired but ABS-CBN is the one where Swiss Family Robinson shown. With all 50 episodes, I think ABS-CBN didn't finish airing the series.

Lucy of Southern Rainbow / Minami no niji no rūshi or "Southern Rainbow" (1982)

The 1982 adaptation appeared in World Masterpiece Theater series based on the novel Southern Rainbow Phyllis Piddington. A young girl named Lucy and her family encounters a lot of tests and hardships as they from England and Australia to set a new farm. Hiroshi Saito still direct this series like his previous works (Tom Sawyer and Swiss Family Robinson).

GMA did air this one but I'm not sure when is the last time Lucy of the Southern Rainbow aired (unless if Q has any plans to re-air this).

Alps Story: My Annette / Arupusu Monogatari Watashi no Annetto (1983)

This is the fifth entry of World Masterpiece Theater series and was based on a children's book entitled "Treasures of the Snow" by Patricia St. John. 12-year-old Annette lives in the small village in the Alps together with her family and her dear young brother Denis. She has also a best friend named Julien but the crisis came when Julien is responsible for Denis terrible accident. Annette has to find ways to get her strength to forgive Julien, while Julien has to find ways to save Denis and prove his friendship to Annette. Kozo Kusuha is the one who direct Alps Story: My Annette. Isei Takamatsu and Kazuo Takematsu are the character designers for this series while Taizaburou Abe was the background designer.

Alps Story: My Annette was last seen on GMA in the year 2003.

(continue to part 3)

Fantaserye and Telefantasya Strikes Local TV Networks

Fantaserye and Telefantasya is a genre in Philippine TV drama which mixed both fantasy, soap opera and drama. They usually used in daily evening primetime block. I'm just asking if you remember these posted images which contain telefantasya/fantaserye aired in Philippine TV networks in the previous years? They are all rated PG so children and teenagers have at least no problem to these shows.

The World Masterpiece Theater Animation / World Masterpiece Theater Series Aired in the Philippines Part One

I decided to kick-off at this topic first this new year. During the old days, local/cable networks in the Philippines had or recently air these classical children's cartoons based on classical books. What we did or didn't know is that these cartoons we're traditionally made in Japan which considers them as a part of anime. Also, they're very popular in Europe, USA and other Asian counties which dubbed in different languages. You heard that right, and those classical anime shows are called "The World Masterpiece Theater" (世界名作劇場, Sekai Meisaku Gekijō). The World Masterpiece Theater was the name given by the Nippon Animation which contains different anime shows based on Western folk literature (e.g. classical books for children), and originally started from 1975 to 1997, then returned in 2007.

Before the idea of showcasing adapted anime, Nippon Animation was first called as Zuiyo Enterprise after the owner, Zuiyo Eizo. It was a animation studio which well produced a lot of anime shows that fits for children. In mid-1970's especially 1974, the name Zuiyo Enterprise was later changed into Nippon Animation after the success of airing the popular series Heidi, the Girl of Alps adapted from Johanna Spyri's children's book in Europe as well in America. The reason the name changed was because of financial difficulties in selling the series to European market. In 1975, Zuiyo Eizo split the two entities: Zuiyo (not the name) and Nippon Animation led by the original production staff including Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. In 1975, the Nippon Animation Co.,Ltd. was officially called and made a spot for successive Maya the Bee and Dog of Flanders which became the first entry of World Masterpiece Theater. Since then, Nippon Animation also started to produce anime based on Western literature.

Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata are considered as the founders of World Masterpiece Theater because of their astonishing directing in producing the anime series. But they suddenly leave the production around 1979 during the production of Anne of Green Gables (1979) to make Lupin III and The Castle of Cagliostrio. Ironically, the two we're also the co-headers of the well-known Studio Ghibli in 1985.

The World Masterpiece Theater we're first only available in Fuji Television and aired 23 seasons. Some of it's series were later on exported in other counties and dubbed several languages. In the American market dubbed few versions like Tom Sawyer (1980), Swiss Family Robinson (1981), and Little Women (1987) only. Animax, broadcast few entries like Princess Sarah (1985), Remi, Nobody's Girl (1996) and others in Southeast Asia and South Asia. In Europe, some entries we're became successful in releasing popular masterpieces like Anne of Green Gables, Rascal (1977), Princess Sarah and others.

The last entry Remi, Nobody's Girl ended in 1997. 10 years later, Nippon Animation decided to continue their successful tradition by the release of Les Misérables: Shōjo Cosette. Then the recent The Long Journey of Porphy became the 25th entry which marks the anniversary of World Masterpiece Theater. Currently, Nippon Animation is planning to make the 26th World Masterpiece Theater entry this year - Before Green Gables. I have a question in my mind about the new World Masterpiece Theater series - Will Nippon Animation plan out to export the new series in (many) other countries like they did before?

If you want to find out more about World Masterpiece Theater and other works in Nippon Animation, you can look-up to their official site in English here. In Japanese language, you can visit this official site here.

"World Masterpiece Theater series Aired in the Philippines"

Here in the Philippines, almost shows from World Masterpiece Theater we're aired and replayed in different channels. I don't know if this one's true but some people who knew the past local channel schedules that ABS-CBN was the first network introduced anime from Nippon Animation aside from adapted anime programs. With requires of research, here are the following shows aired in different channels with their details....

Heidi, Girl of Alps / Arupusu no Shōjo Haiji (1974)

This show is the first entry of World Masterpiece Theater under Zuiyo Enterprises around 1974. This series was based on Heidi in children's book, authored by Johanna Spyri wrote in 1880. Heidi tells about a young girl named Heidi who lives in the Swiss Alps with her grandfather. Different chronicles took events in Heidi's childhood even being an orphan in the beginning of the series. She also met few people and childhood friends in her life aside from her caring grandfather like the goat-herd Peter and the rich daughter in town Klara Sesseman.

It's anime series was directed by Isao Takahata. Hayao Miyazaki did the scene designs and layout and Yoichi Kobe meanwhile did the character design and became the animation director. The anime version did well outside Japan and dubbed 28 different languages around the world. In the Philippines;ABS-CBN first airing this series before year 2000 in Tagalog-dub and despite it's popularity, a Cebuano dubbed version was made. The last time I watch this series around 2006 in QTV in Tagalog-dub.

Dog of Flanders / Furandāsu no Inu (1975)

The second entry of World Masterpiece Theater series made around 1975. This was the adaptation of Maria Louise Ramé's novel of the same name. The original staff from the previous entry participated to produce this series. The anime tells about a young orphan boy named Nello and his dog Patrasche and took place in the 19th century. Nello and his dog encountered a lot of struggles in their whole lives until they expect their tragic fate in the end. The themes in both anime and the novel gives strong spirit and love to each other which helps them survive and cope harsh realities in their lives.

There was another anime version of Dog of Flanders before this entry called My Patrasche. The anime was produced in Tokyo Movie Shinsha around 1992 to 1993 with it's same plot from the novel. ABS-CBN is the first channel aired it's another adapted version rather Nippon Animation version back in 1994 to 1995. Then, QTV aired Dog of Flanders back in 2006 and 2008 which the last time it aired (with German opening and ending themes).

3000 Leagues in Search of Mother / Haha o Tazunete Sanzenri (1976)

...or better known as Marco in some other countries.

This another adapted anime was rather loosely based in some small parts of the original novel Heart (Cuore) by Edmondo De Amicis. The series focuses on a young boy named Marco Rossi who lives with his family in Genoa, Italy during the time of depression in the late 19th century. Having financial difficulties and Marco's father is a doctor, his mother travel to Argentina to work as a maid in order to help Marco. A letter came to Marco which said that his mother is sick which gives Marco fear the worst of his mother's fate. Marco set-off his trail together with his pet monkey named Amadeo, the leagues of searching Marco's mother begun.

The last time this anime version aired in GMA around 1998 or 1999 (the same year when Nippon Animation decided to make a remake of 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother and it's movie version).

Rascal the Raccoon / Araiguma Rasukaru (1977)

This was the first World Masterpiece Theater that was based on a autobiographical novel and children's book entitled "Rascal, A Memoir of a Better Era" by Sterling North in 1963. Like in the novel, it tells the chronicles of a young boy named Sterling North and his relationships between his family and his friends in Winsconsin. At the early series both in the novel and anime, Sterling found a young raccoon who is lost in the forest. He decided to take care of it and named Rascal.

The original staff present in this series although Isao Takahata never took the director's place. Despite the popularity, Rascal became the official mascot of Nippon Animation and still as popular in Japan even today. You can find the information about the anime in this site here. Meanwhile, the last time Rascal the Raccoon appeared in Philippine TV was in QTV last year (with it's German opening and ending theme of course).

The Story of Perrine / Perīnu Monogatari (1978)

Released in 1978 and was based on the French novel, En Famille by Hector Malot. A young girl Perrine sets out her journey together with her mother to their hometown after Perrine's father died. Unfortunately, lack of money became their main problem in their jouney so Pierre decided to use their old camera and sell protraits to the villagers surround them. Aside from selling portraits Pierre, her moher, their dog Baron and their donkey encounters difficult situations as they travel into many places.

According to Wikipedia, the last time this series aired in the Philippines was around early 90's in GMA.

(continue to part 2)

Happy New Year!

It's the start of the new year and I'm going to say "Happy New Year!" to everyone out there! In other sentence, it's "The Year of the Ox!" this year. :D