Batibot

Did You Know?

• On August 14, 2015, Smart Communications launched a videogame for Android devices based on the show, developed by OrangeFix at a cost of around one million Philippine pesos.
• An iOS version of the Batibot videogame app was released on July 5, 2017.
• The videogame was aligned with the Department of Education's kindergarten curriculum and was in Filipino.

History

The educational show Batibot first aired in February 1985, created by the Philippine Children's Television Foundation. It was the brainchild of teacher Feny Delos Angeles-Bautista from the Community of Learners Foundation and writer Rene Villanueva. Unlike the bilingual Sesame!, Batibot used only Filipino and focused on stories set in the Philippines. Through an agreement with the Children's Television Workshop, the characters Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing were allowed to appear, along with the human host Kuya Mario. Airing weekdays at 10:30 AM, the show became a top 10 daytime program in 1985, beating the ratings of both Sesame! and Sesame Street. By February 1989, money troubles put the show's future in doubt. The PCTF was discussing an Indonesian version of Batibot, while CTW was also working on an Indonesian Sesame Street. CTW then reclaimed the rights to Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing. The PCTF secured a four-year license to keep using them, but eventually phased them out due to high costs. In 1994, the characters were returned to CTW's new management. Batibot returned in 1999 as Batang Batibot, airing on Saturday mornings. The original run ended on June 30, 2002. TV5 revived the show on November 27, 2010, with new human characters Ate Maya and Kuya Fidel. This version aired Saturdays at 8:30 AM until 2013.

Cast and characters

Batibot featured characters portrayed by puppets and human actors. Most puppets were locally made, though Kiko Matsing and Pong Pagong were owned and crafted by CTW. Human cast members included Junix Inocian as Kuya Mario, Bodjie Pascua as Kuya Bodjie, Sienna Olaso as Ate Sienna, Ching Arellano as Kuya Ching, Dwight Gaston as Kuya Dwight, Isay Alvarez-Seña as Ate Isay, Soliman Cruz as Mang Mokyo, Alvin Froy Alemania as Popoy, Adriana Agcaoili as Ate Jojie, Rafael Mallanes as Rap Rap, Sheila Gamo as Ate Celia, and Gerry Sanga as Kuya Mola. Puppet characters included Kiko Matsing (performed by Sammy Badon, assisted by Toots Javellana), Pong Pagong (performed by Deo Noveno), Filimon, Irma Daldal, Direk, Koko Kwik-Kwak (based on Big Bird), Manang Bola, Kapitan Basa, Sitsiritsit and AlibangBang, and Ningning and Gingging (based on Ernie and Bert). In the TV5 revival, human characters included Abner Delina as Kuya Fidel and Kakki Teodoro as Ate Maya, with puppets Irma Daldal, Koko Kwik-Kwak, Manang Bola, Kapitan Basa, Sitsiritsit, AlibangBang, Ningning, Gingging, and Tarsi.