Oyayi: A New Sunday Habit for the Filipino Children

To ensure that Filipino children have access to child-friendly TV programs that are culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate, the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT), one of the attached agencies of the Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with CBN Asia, premiered a new edutainment program called “Oyayi” on October 23. Succeeding episodes will air every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on ABS-CBN until January 2017.

Oyayi is an educational, entertaining, informative, age-appropriate, and value-laden TV program. This newest show for the whole family aims to create awareness among Filipino children about the environment, culture, and arts through educational and fun-filled episodes that teach them to be responsible citizens at their young age.

“DepEd supports this new program spearheaded by NCCT and CBN Asia as it gives children in the Philippines access to a quality television program that promotes appreciation for cultural identity, national heritage, and social issues,” said Alberto T. Muyot, DepEd Undersecretary and Supervising Administrator of NCCT.

Oyayi, a Filipino word which means lullaby, is based on a children’s storybook written by Fernando Rosal Gonzalez. The storybook was the winner in the NCCT Nationwide Search for the Coolest Television Proposal in 2012 and was later molded into an all new quality children’s show co-produced by CBN Asia and NCCT.

The TV show features six new super cute characters: Kuya Maki, played by Icko Gonzalez, is the wise and cool leader of the team; Tama Raw is the very industrious tamaraw; Bon Haribon is the valiant Philippine eagle; Diva Butanding is the stylish whale shark; Tarsiera is the lovable tarsier; and Dok Pil is the brainy mouse-deer.

The story revolves around Isla Oyayi where endangered species live. They will encounter several issues and challenges that will test their strength, knowledge, and friendship. They will try to win against the villain Kuwago Zhibago, a robotic owl and his three sidekicks, the Tornilyons.

Aiming to reach the audience ranging from 7 to 12 years old, “Oyayi” will be an informative, engaging, and fun-filled world of adventure for the kids as well as the young at heart.

“There are many programs that children can watch but they are not designed for children. We need quality children’s programs that will teach values in a very entertaining way,” says CBN Asia’s Executive Vice President-Chief Operating Officer Robert John Tan, the director of the show.

Catch “Oyayi” every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on ABS-CBN. To know more about the TV program and NCCT, please visit the website http://ncct.gov.ph/. (NCCT/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)