End of TV5 Animega? Oh My!

Last year, TV5's Animega seem like a hit for Filipino anime fans for airing anime shows every weekday nights and weekends as replays. But now this year, it's schedule will fade away sooner. According to Zen Otaku Honbu's latest news here, TV5 officially announced that Animega will temporarily go off-air starting May 31, 2010. I'm sure this will be much
dissappointment for anime fans and worried if the anime schedule will be gone in evenings.

Before I found out that news, last week I really enjoyed Shrek, Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third on 5Max Movies which they were aired around 7:30 PM. Then, I found out that there are some major changes in Animega. First of all, Clannad which was aired every 6:30 PM and now it is completely finished then Yatterman was moved in 3:30 PM from 6:00 before Street Fighter. Another one, Casshern Sins was moved in 6:00 PM because at this week will completely finish while D-Gray Man is still on air but on 7:00 PM. Last one is that Fullmetal Alchemist still air every Friday nights from 7:30 PM up to 8:30 PM before Midnight DJ. Sounds like a major difference, right? Even at their Facebook fan page, many fans are complaining about the movement of schedule and some of them suspected if the line-up will replace Koreanovelas.

In my observation and opinion, TV5 should not remove their Animega line-up because it is one of the main reasons why the station reach it's success. Animega is also different because every 6:00 PM up to 8:00 PM is the time where news from other stations air while viewers will enjoy anime (especially while they're eating dinner). Best of all, TV5 Animega is the home of requested popular anime shows like Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Code Geass and Lucky Star. From 2008 starting with Yamato Nadeshiko: The Wallflower and Shakugan no Shana, viwers are following the anime timeslot and supported that TV5 should air more anime shows.

While the school time is near, I can't imagine what will happen if the kids will not enjoy watching adult primetime shows like news and dramas and have no time for anime slot. It will be very dull and boring! We also wonder what will happen if many stations especially ABS-CBN, GMA 7, Studio 23 or even TV5 itself place full of Koreanovelas and other dramas over shows for young ones like anime.

Kirby: Right Back At Ya!

If you think Nintendo's Pokemon is the only anime based on video game you know, then think again. One of the popular video game characters from Nintendo appeared in anime. Kirby: Right Back at Ya! or known as Kirby of the Stars in Japanese appeared in the year 2001 up to 2003 with 100 episodes.

If you play any games from Nintendo, you might heard or tried any Kirby games which was first appeared in ol' Game Boy days. The anime tells about the adventures of Kirby in the planet Earth. Kirby falls from the space due to his spaceship broke then fell to PuPuPu village (Cabby Town in English dub-version). Meanwhile, the mean, fat and greedy ruler King DeDeDe the penguin plots evil plans to get rid of Kirby by sending out monsters he bought from Holy Nightmare Corporation (NightMare Enterprises). As usual, the monsters cause problems and mayhem but with Kirby, along with his friends saves the day.

Like any tokukatsu shows you seen on TV (let's say Super Sentai or Kamen Rider series), every episode appear every different monster sent by the antagonist but then they're destroyed by the hero. It's just like it was meant for kids. Not only adventures, but there are few moral values from real-life that are light-hearted. There are some characters that are actually based on the video game counterpart like Meta Knight, Chef Kawasaki, Waddle Doo and the main villain Nightmare. But there are some characters that are added for the anime only - like the siblings Fumu and Bun (Tiff and Tuff) and King DeDeDe's right hand Escargoon. They even appeared as computer animation then switch back to hand-drawn animation which is worth good.

The anime was aired in North America's 4Kids Entertainment almost a year ago after it aired in Japan. There are a lot of name changes from the original Japanese dub-version. After it was aired in America, Funimation Entertainment released the DVD of Kirby: Right Back At Ya! in 3 volumes and a 90-minute movie entitled Kirby: Fright to the Finish-Movie.

In the Philippines, the Kirby anime was used as original Japanese version which first aired on GMA 7 last year. It was re-aired in QTV 11 in weekday mornings this year. In conclusion, Kirby: Right Back at Ya! is good anime for kids and not as much terrible to watch.

Urduja Now in GMA 7

For those who didn't watch Urduja in cinemas last 2008 or haven't watched on GMA 7's SNBO last September 27, 2009 you can now watch this movie in GMA 7 again . This time, it will show on Fridays this week (January 8,2010) around 10:15 AM Philippine time. This is a great opportunity to let viewers watch this one-of-a-kind Philippine animation.

P.S: Too bad I didn't watch Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalya last Sunday. Where am I suppose to find a DVD copy of it?

Nodame Cantabile

Nodame Cantabile #01 Japanese manga cover

I've already finished my final college exams in this semester (whew!). By the way, what I'm currently reading since around three weeks ago is Nodame Cantabile. Nodame Cantabile is a manga created by Tomoko Ninomiya. It was first appeared in the magazine Kiss from 2001 and currently ongoing. The manga tells about two aspiring musicians who went both into same music university.

Shinichi Chiaki, born into a musical clan is a well-organized, popular and a top student at Momogaoka College Music. He learns how to play music using piano or violin and he can be a good cook too. He dreams is to go to Europe and be a conductor ever since he was young and met Sebastiano Viera in Europe. Unfortunately, Chiaki is stuck to Japan because of his childhood trauma. On the other hand, Megumi Noda or known as Nodame is the opposite of Chiaki. She is an eccentric and a-not-so-ordinary girl who is a slob, has a messy room, and disorganized. But Nodame is a pianist and rather play in ear (or in other words, she plays music based on what kind of music she hears or inventing her own composition depending on her mood.). She doesn't have a goal at first until she met Chiaki in the apartment. Later on, Nodame always follow Chiaki then claiming him as her husband.

It all started out when Chiaki is pressured to move to conducting class from his piano class thanks to his adviser especially the mean teacher who hit Chiaki whenever there's a mistake. Another problem is, he has a phobia on flying which he wouldn't be able to go to Europe. Until he met Nodame, the two both into piano class and starts their wacky relationship.

Anyone who appreciate classical music like Beethoven or Mozart could really have an advantage for liking this manga. If not, at least you'll later trying to like classical music by seeing Nodame's quirks to Chiaki and her few weird words she says like "Mukyaa!" or "Gyabooo!". And in reality, it's a heartwarming to see Chiaki and Nodame struggle hard to accomplish their own goal and later having a good relationship. Also, we have to mention other characters who some of them have a hilarious motivation or expression like the violinist, fellow student Ryutarou Mine, silent oboe-player Yasunori Kuroki and the infamous pervert-conductor Franz von Stressemann.

Anyway, the manga version has twenty three volumes and inside contains 136 chapters, plus two additional one-shot chapters featuring Nodame and Chiaki's childhood. The art style is clean but what is disappointing is that you can't imagine what can you hear music mentioned in the manga (unless if you actually listen to them by searching in Youtube or buy music CD's containing classical orchestras). The plot isn't complicated and actually pretty awesome. This is also a worth reading because there is also anime and live action version of it. The live action of Nodame Cantabile was featured in GMA 7 around almost half a year ago but they didn't finish it which is too sad for Filipino viewers who like to follow the next episodes. Animax Asia once aired the anime version but it's unknown when it will be air in local TV and what channel will be on air (on TV 5? GMA? C'mon it's a short episode!).

Overall, Nodame Cantabile is a great manga, anime and live-action. I like Nodame's humor especially when she tries to hang out with Chiaki like sneaking to his apartment. Plus, I also began to like classical music. It doesn't matter whether you're good at any musical instrument or not.The important thing is to listen what kind of music every character plays.

Oh yeah, I forgot. Merry Christmas to all!

Ranma 1/2

Ranma 1/2 Volume 1 © Viz Media

One of the most popular anime in the early 90's and it's still love by many fans. I mean to say it's Ranma 1/2. It was created by Rumiko Takahashi, who is also known for her InuYasha series and currently one of the richest mangaka in Japan . The manga was published in Shokagukan's Shonen Sunday from year 1987 to 1996 in 38 volumes (although in US published 36 volumes). According to Rumiko in an interview, she wanted to make a story that aimed for younger children but as a twist her creation was targeted by many teenage boys and girls.

The story revolves a teenage boy named Ranma Saotome who was trained martial arts since childhood under his father, Genma. Until one day (in early few chapters and episodes, that is), while in the middle of training Ranma and Genma fall into cursed springs in Jusenkyo which located in Qinghai, China. When splashed in cold water, Ranma turns into a girl while his father turns into a panda. The only way to reverse their form is to douse hot water on them, but unfortunately it lasts temporarily. Post soon.

Mojacko (Chu-Chu-Chu!)

The orange, fluffy alien was another popular anime character in the Philippines. Mojacko was manga back in 90's in Bokura magazine then followed as an anime in year 1995 to 1997. Created by Doraemon manga-ka Fujiko Fujio, Mojacko is an alien from planet Moja-Moja who along with his robot assistant Donmo went to planet Earth due to spaceship crash. The Japanese title is called Chu-Chu-Chu! and also based on it's opening song.

In early episodes,Mojacko met an elementary student named Sorao Amana and stayed to his place until their spaceship is fixed. The anime series was perhaps divided by two seasons with additional characters. In almost half of the season (that is from episode 1 to 30) Mojacko and his friends met Sorao's friend Miki who later involve the secret that there are aliens in earth and Wutan, Surao's enemy and a bully (I think Wutan is very similar to Takeshi/Damulag from Doraemon). They also met Mojacko's siblings who followed them in search of their brother. Mojari, is a pink alien ball with pigtails while Mojaro a small, green and youngest sibling who has an ability to manipulate supersonic waves when crying or being disturbed from his sleep. In another season, Momonja - a ninja-like alien ball follows them in order to get the "greatest treasure in the universe" and then later stays at Wutan's place. As a sci-fi genre, Mojacko and his friends travel different planets up to another universe for their adventures and excitement plus their friendship.

I'd say Mojacko was one of the high-rated anime series in the Philippines since it started aired locally around 1998 or 1999 every weekday afternoons. The show was featured in GMA commercial with Doraemon as anime-crossover lineup entitled "We Are Family". Mojacko merhandises were popular back then like plushies (as seen on this picture here). In Youtube, you can also see the opening song here in Japanese plus few old episodes dubbed in Tagalog. For now, Mojacko seems to be on the old cabinet in GMA ever since they wouldn't decided not to air it anymore until further notice.

Teenage Shows Before Adik Sa'Yo

Image borrowed form gmaseven.blogspot.com

I'm not sure if I'm mistaken that Adik Sa'Yo is a teenage show despite that the main characters are adults now. Okay, okay I admit I never focus on this show because it airs every weeknights on GMA as a part of Telebabad. It reminds me that Adik Sa'Yo can be somehow considered a teenage show because there is romance, conflicts and soulmates. Before that show, there are many shows for youth were aired in (mostly) in GMA or ABS-CBN and scheduled during afternoon of a certain day. For now, it seems that youth-oriented shows will still be recognized although not much as strong as before.

Anyway, here are some list of youth-oriented shows which aired in GMA and ABS-CBN start from 90's. Lists referenced from Wikipedia.

GMA Network

Growing Up (Produced by Viva Television, 1997-1998, re-aired 2000-2001)
- it was re-aired during the 50th anniversary of GMA.

T.G.I.S and T.G.I.F. (Produced by Viva Television, 1995-1999, re-aired 2000-2001)
- after the popularity of Grown Up, T.G.I.S (Thank God It's Saturday) might be considered as a spin-off. It was aired every Saturday afternoons. The show turned into T.G.I.F. because it moved to Fridays. T.G.I.S was re-aired on GMA as a part of 50th anniversary of GMA.

Campus Romance (1997-1999)

Click (2001-2005)
-replaced T.G.I.F.

Joyride (2004-2005)
- aired every weekday afternoons before Anime Swak Pack.

Love to Love (2002-2006)

Boys Next Door (2007-2008)

StarStruck (2003-2007, returns in 2009)
- sometime around this year, StarStruck will return this year for new 5th season.


ABS-CBN

Ang TV (1992-1996; reaired 2007)
- can be considered one of the most popular youth-oriented show during early 90's. The show made recognized some popular artists like Jolina Magdangal and Paolo Contis, and spawn their own movie sitcom. Ang TV 2 was aired around 2001 after the success of first season. Ang TV was also the inspiration for airing Goin' Bulilit.

Berks (2001-2004)

Tabing Ilog (1999-2003)

F.L.A.M.E.S. (early 90's?)
- it was based on a game and debut into a teenage show. It was aired in the afternoons.

Gimik (1996-1999)
- it made into a movie entitled Gimik: the Reunion. Not to be mistaken in G-mik which was another show aired in year 1999 to 2002.

K2BU (2002)
-probably one of the shows where Bea Alonzo started in showbiz career.

Buttercup (2003-2004)

Let's Go (2006-2007)

Gokada Go! (2007)
- sequel of Let's Go

Star Magic Presents series (2006-2008)

Gokusen 3 Soon Air This Month

GMA Network's title card of Gokusen season 1 and 2.

Kozueko Morimoto's Gokusen made finally into live-action series since 2002. Gokusen tells about Kumiko Yamaguchi (nicknamed "Yakumi"), the granddaughter of a Yakuza boss and teacher of all-boys private high school. At first, Yakumi's students are mischievous but thanks to Yakumi's hard-work in academics and life lessons they both hang-up together when it comes to solving school and life problems.

A much awaited new season of Gokusen will finally air again on GMA this month. The season 3 of Gokusen which originally aired last year on Japan is finally picked up by GMA and decided to air it soon. A teaser commercial of Gokusen 3 was shown from GMA last March 1, 2009. According to the teaser, the new season will air on March 23rd this year and we in the Philippines is the first country will watch that show. Let's hope GMA Network never bails this plan for airing the show.

Oh wait, this is not actually the first time I post about J-Dorama or teen program.

Anime Reruns: The Good and the Bad Side

Being a kid, teen or adult Filipino most of us like to turn on our TV's to check out good programs. Also, most of us are aware that we also like watching anime these days. We know that we watch and like anime so much. Many networks promotes many anime shows every week in free-TV's or 24/7 in cables. Some (or mostly) of us remember the story and the title of that anime until we get sick of it every time goes back on TV. That's a problem in networks these days....reruns of anime in the Philippines. Before you get a negative reaction after you read this, first we'll have to understand behind "Why most networks replay the anime shows they air before?".

If your a teenager or an adult, think of it, do you remember the anime shows aired in that station? Do you know/what the title, characters or plot on that show? Do you want them to return back on TV? If you say yes, you definitely understood the reminiscence in your childhood - classic anime shows that needs to come back on TV stations. But sometimes, some anime shows we think of tend us to get sick or grudge hoping they will never air again. You're not the only one who tends to believe that way, in fact many Filipino people do or even Filipino anime fans known as "otakus".

I'm not much being an "otaku" as myself, but I see the way of how they re-air or appear on television either by local or cable networks. I notice some of the popular local networks like GMA 7 and ABS-CBN 2 got a habit of returning of old anime shows they air before since few years ago. As I got the internet, I found out the buzz that ABS-CBN and GMA had planned to release new anime shows. In reality, as time goes on ABS-CBN and GMA tend to delay releasing new shows and instead put spaces for the foreign and live-action programs. But they at least air new shows but unfortunately they only ran in short episodes. Many Filipino people especially youth tend to get frustrated for those two big stations especially they compete for the higher ratings.

Many said especially in news that competition of two large networks is the reason. According to this user's blog here, ABS-CBN accused GMA 7 for cheating in higher ratings to AGB Nielsen Ratings and while GMA 7 accuse ABS-CBN vice versa (sigh). Sure it all happened around 2007 but the two station's ratings is the main problem. Of course, when it comes to competition we almost get sick of them and deciding to quit watching their programs. Thanks to the internet, I never watch too much shows from ABS-CBN or GMA because I'm too busy to work. But not at all people who tend to do that as much as I did, many of us still have an interest watching their programs to see and hear the latest scoop.

Anyway, back to the anime topic. We know that both stations have a habit of reruns of old anime shows but ever wonder why they always do that? No, it's not because the higher ratings but sometimes yes. In fact, many adults especially middle-age isn't familiar into anime. Ever wonder when you're a kid or teen before and your parent saw you watching anime, he or she'll tell you like "Nanonood ka nanaman ng cartoons?" or "Puro cartoons!" or even change the channel without knowing it. It's kinda disappointing but it hurts too. I guess it's on the time gap - adults tend to watch shows that fits for them rather than shows for young audience but that's normal.
When we were in childhood, we're fascinated to the anime shows that are popular because of their great characters, plot and scenes but as time goes on they were gone on TV's. Sometimes, we suffer nostalgia a bit and then if there's a chance your favorite show returned on TV screen.

But what if your favorite anime show turns out to be a bore because it replays more than two times? I guess you're feeling like your listening to your favorite music all and all over again but suddenly you get bored because you knew the lyrics. That's the problem in many stations when it comes to schedules. I have seen anime shows which mostly replays many times. Here's the verdict:

One of the anime shows I knew that re-airs most is that Dragon Ball Z. Who could forget the adventures that Son Goku made together with his allies and also defeating enemies from faraway planets? Almost, most of us knows that show even for middle-aged adults. Dragon Ball Z was first aired on RPN9 back in the late 90's in English-dub and became popular among Pinoys. When it moved to GMA back around 1999 or 2000, it turned out to be in Tagalog-dub. It was usually aired every weekend afternoons then around 2008, aired in weekend afternoons. Yeah right, we tend to knew the characters and the story because GMA responsible for replays until we get bored. Some instances that DBZ reached in short episodes which make us think "Bitin!" (remember the Cell-saga?). Thank goodness it went gone this year.

Anybody knows Eugene, Alfred, Dennis, Vincent and other characters in Ghost Fighter series? If you remember the plot then you really knew it. Ghost Fighter was first aired in the Philippines around mid-90's in IBC13 in Tagalog-dub. Then, thanks to GMA Ghost Fighter was borrowed from IBC13 and made reruns every weekday evenings or afternoons. Not much replayed but the last time Ghost Fighter aired was January 2009.

Flame of Recca seem to have a similar battling competition scenes as Ghost Fighter except when it comes to ghost. It all about ninjas and good and evil. Flame of Recca first aired on GMA around 2000 in weekday afternoons.

Slamdunk seem makes you think you rather not to watch that show because you knew it before. It was first aired in ABC 5 (now TV5) every weekdays around 90's then took by GMA Network around early 2000. It tells about the adventures of Hanamichi Sakuragi and his basketball career. At first and second season, Sakuragi usually misunderstood the rules of the game until later on he was accepted with Team Shohoku as tough team member and later steepped-up to win Haruko's heart.

Daimos and Voltes V were popular among Filipino kids back in 1975. The two titles were both part as "Robot Romance Trilogy" in mid-70's. Who could forget the giant robots battling enemies that are giant too while battling in a wide field faraway from the city? Both robot titles were aired in IBC13, NBN 4, RPN 9 and GMA 7 which dubbed in Tagalog and Cebuano. Merchandises were famed to many people. Thou, as of this time I put them on a list of re-aired anime shows, but thanks to their popularity, many Filipino people still like those characters.

Naruto and it's continuing sequel Naruto Shipuuden both aired in ABS-CBN since 2004. They're also one of the greatest anime ans manga this time and considered favorites among anime fans and otakus. In the Philippines, Naruto is really exciting show but unfortunately it ran in short episodes and disappears. Later on, it reappears again for new season and episodes....then disappears and reappears again (whew). Same does the Naruto Shipuuden ep's. As of now, the season 2 of Naruto and replays of Naruto Shipuuden still ongoing.

The popular video game turned out to be an anime. Pokemon first aired in the Philippines around 1999 in English-dub until around 2001 which covers Ash Ketchum together with his friends in whole Kanto region. The in 2007, Pokemon turned in Tagalog-dub with new episodes.Even if there's currently Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl series, how come GMA is too slow for airing new episodes especially fans are waiting for airing Advanced Generation saga?

....and more anime series that I can't remember.

See? Have you wonder these titles can be actually familiar to you. Some instances they just pop-up then disappears, then return. This anime reruns tradition still continues today in both ABS-CBN and GMA. As a viewer like me and you, we would rather suggest these major networks to air new anime shows and release new episodes instead of re-airing old anime shows the aired many times (Why not even try to re-air shows that rarely appear like Lupin III, Mojacko,Trigun or Hunter x Hunter?). Let's hope both stations realize their needs of their viewers attention especially when it comes to anime. If you can't help being annoyed to reruns, why not try to watch anime shows from TV5. Many people especially fans, TV5 become a top-notch show when it comes to anime because of new anime shows and they also release classic anime that longer never air until this time.

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.

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.

Networks In The Philippines - Part 1

I admit I can also say about the networks are available in the Philippines today. Just as I thought aside reviews from cartoon shows and anime. While living here in the Philippines, these days I watch TV for some time now not always because I'm very busy in my college studies. But I still have at least few good knowledge about the networks. I rather focus about the animation than the local programs in discussing each networks.

While getting back drops about the children's programs and teen shows air today, I'm not really informed when it comes to big channels especially networks that operate in cables. I would admit I don't have any cables or satellite dishes but I still know at least few channels out there from magazines and commercials.I even have an entry here discussed about anime shows in the past but I rather decide to discuss more about them including cartoons. If you want broad and more information about the network channels, you can search them in Wikipedia.So, I'll try to discuss about the networks in the Philippines as much as I remember.

GMA Network-
Formally known as Global Media Arts or GMA. Launched in March 1,1950, GMA is one of the highest rating networks in the Philippines today ever since late 90's. During the past years, GMA pinched up a lot schedules for animated programs and anime. Compare today, GMA seems that cartoon shows and anime mostly fit in the weekends only. GMA has a lot of good cartoon shows borrowed from Disney Channel in the late 90's such as Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, Mighty Ducks, Aladdin, Recess, Timon and Pumba, etc. and all aired in Saturday mornings. The network also aired cartoons shows from Cartoon Network such as Powerpuff Girls and Johnny Bravo after the defunct of airing Disney Channel cartoons from the year 2001 to 2002.

GMA offered a lot of teen and children's programming than the rest of other networks. Sure, they offered a mix of American-produced cartoons in the past but the network became popular when they aired anime shows in evenings and afternoons back then. I'm not really sure when exactly the year the anime for evening block started but I rest assured they made a block for them. Back in the year 2000, GMA made a primetime schedule for airing anime shows in the evening that became popular such as Hunter x Hunter,Ghost Fighter, Lupin III,Voltes V,Daimos and others. I think the schedule began for about 7:00 'till 9:00 PM which you can probably tell the network believe the children's population gained more than the adults in the country. Not only evenings but they also aired anime shows in the afternoons in the past. Good examples are Slamdunk,One Piece,Bleach,etc.

In the past,GMA Network is the first channel I learned about anime. With it's good logo with the rainbow called the Rainbow Network and the "Where you belong!" slogan, it's pretty ironic that the network gained demand ratings. I still remember my childhood days that after answering my school assignment I sit on our old family couch, get the remote control, wait and watch anime shows in the afternoons until evenings. There are also a lot of previous shows that you can remember by looking at the Wikipedia article about GMA old shows.

While many children's programming fits in the network in the past, today they seem only lined up in weekend mornings. Probably believe that many kids are not in school during Saturdays. Yes, I even notice that there are a lot of changes today. The evening schedules of anime got cut-off when the GMA Telebabad shows and Asianovelas rise it's popularity. At the same time, GMA Network got it's new logo and the new slogan "Kapuso, Anumang Kulay ng Buhay". The term Kapuso was used during the time the new logo showed even today. Even fans and people are called "Kapuso" when they watch GMA shows.

Has GMA Network jumped the shark? Yes, you can really notice that after the popularity of GMA Network. The network seems to get a lot of upcoming projects and a short run of GMA Telebabad shows. Currently, the old anime and cartoon shows in the mornings are in reruns which might gives senseless taste for viewers. The various productions all lined up against their rival network ABS-CBN. GMA turns out to get more ratings in Mega Manila when they launch telefantasya shows then later adaptations from the Filipino comics. What result about the network is very side-by-side fact with it's competition today than their previous network years. You can't tell GMA Network cares only about their business and ratings, but rather being a shadow of a conflict.

Egg (2005)

The white egg shell is the protagonist of the animated short, "Egg".

Premiered in February 6,2005 on GMA, another animated short appeared venturing to the world of Pinoy Animation. This animated short created by Ramon Del Prado has a long history of producing it. When the first time I saw this in "Pinoy Anime" series, thinking the title "Egg" as a simple title but the content has it's own valuable meaning. For whatever reason, Ramon Del Prado made a good story for this cartoon after all. He mentioned that his animation "Egg" originally was his "thesis" in Communication Arts back in the year 2003. Also, he is the first student in De La Salle University (where he took up college) attempted to make a computer-generated animation of this cartoon.

Based on this synopsis of this cartoon, "Egg" tells about a chicken (egg) is misplaced as a balut egg that even other eggs avoid him because of it's different appearance. The situation in every balut egg inside the factory worse when one of them told him that having the different appearance has a disease. So the chicken egg escape from the factory and set off his own journey. He met sorts of other creatures and EGG has to discover a proof that there is something for what thought having disease, but the journey's finding one itself. Looking back to it's story it has it's meaning about discrimination such as the other balut's avoiding the white egg is an example. Lucky for that EGG, he manage to escape from the balut factory or else he will be cooked along with other many balut. It has also a "Ugly Duckling" theme which you'll know the ending (which this cartoon have similar ending). As a computer-generated animation, "Egg" gives itself a colorful movements which pictures that there are trials and adventures of the main protagonists that is related to the real world. The voice acting in every characters in Filipino with English subtitles which seems to be fine as if you can tell it is an indie film.

Ramon's Del Prado's thesis gives itself big rewards in the same year to 2004. Before "Egg" premiered on GMA Network, this 26-minute animation was awarded by the De La Salle University in September 2003 as an "Outstanding Thesis Award" and being the finalist of Catholic Mass Media Awards in the same year. Del Prado said during the awards in De La Salle, said he attempted to make a short-animation came up that there should be something that will "tackle" a problem with a mix of children's interest of cartoons. In 2004, other awards and events for the film included being on Exhibition at the Cinemanila International Film in Greenbelt 1, Finalist Gawad CCP for best Short Film, Grand Best Picture Award in the UP Indeo Film Festival and 1st place in the 5th annual UP Video and Film Awards in Animation. Then in 2005, the awards of "Egg" bring a soar honor for being a Pinoy animation. The exhibition of this film in the same year became a part of Anime Explosion Phlippine Animation Festival, MOV International Film Festival and Imaginasian New York for Asian/Filipino Film Festival. Then finally, "Egg" aired on GMA Network. I wouldn't even imagine for getting tons of rewards by just having an indie film.

Aside for having Ramon Del Prado's first animation that premiered in the Philippines, it also made many deserving rewards as a part of Pinoy Animation. The De La Salle University also opened the course for animation in 2004 in order to follow the steps to become an animator like Ramon. With Ramon's imagination and also a modified theme, "Egg" is his first step for pursuing career as an animator that will help strive the industry of Pinoy animation. Del Prado also became a director of Tuldok Animation's "Libingan" in 2007 but as of now, he is also working as a teacher and a freelance filmmaker. For more information about the creator and his works, visit his official website here. A news article including the interview about Del Prado can be available here.