Sesame Mucho
/In the early 1980s, Filipino children were introduced to two lovable muppets -- Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing -- in the educational TV program, "Sesame." The two muppets were created by the Children's Television Workshop (CTW), producer of Sesame Street, in a partnership with the Philippine Sesame Street Project (PSSP). Under the partnership, CTW also trained key PSSP creative staff, including the puppeteers, in the Sesame Street model of educational TV -- curriculum-based segments, age-focused and fun.
"Sesame," the program, eventually became the famous "Batibot" and PSSP became the Philippine Children's Television Foundation (PCTVF), but the concept, format, and Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing remained. The program aired five days a week for a remarkable 18 years, bringing forth an actual "Batibot generation" whose formative years were guided by the show, the same way generations of American children were reared on Sesame Street.
When the partnership between CTW and PCTVF expired in the 1990s, CTW claimed back Pong and Kiko, the muppets. Unfazed, PCTVF created locally made muppets for Batibot. Sesame Street's Filipino connection ended then.
Fast forward to 2023, and CTW, now known as the Sesame Workshop, recently introduced in Sesame Street, a Fil-Am muppet named TJ, mirroring a four-year old child living in Daly City. Conceptualized by Fil-Ams, TJ's creation followed the same rigorous attention to details that made Pong and Kiko so endearing to Filipino children. This week, we bring you the background story of TJ's creation, from PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela.
We are noting three significant events in this issue: Philippine Independence Day (June 12), Jose Rizal's birthday (June 19) and Father's Day (June 18). We hope you enjoy our lineup this week.
Stories This Week
A Muppet For All Reasons by Anthony Maddela
In My Father’s Two Worlds by Nanette Carreon-Ruhter
Meet Miss Texas America And Her Mom’s Tulong Foundation by Jocelyn Alvarez Allgood
Paco, Manila – Call It By Its Name by Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.
[Read Agains]
A Valiant People's Army by John L. Silva
Why June 12 Is Different From Other Days by John L. Silva
Untold Lessons From My Father by Ed Diokno
Jose Rizal, Martial Arts Warrior by Rene J. Navarro
[Cook It Again] Dishes For Independence Day by Chef Marvin Gapultos
[Video of the Week] Immigrant Heritage Month
[Partner] 14th Annual Our Family, Our Future ALLICE 20th Jubilee Event Aims To Empower Older Adults, Stop Hate by Cherie M. Querol Moreno
In The Know
‘Holy grail’: Juan Luna’s lost masterpiece revealed after 132 years
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-culture/holy-grail-juan-luna-hymen-oh-hymenee-lost-masterpiece-revealed/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwAR3ZpXDnCwE3heq_6ko_8lzKkqoFs6x5tvQ3nRsFQ2rEeuDCvmrQc5Symcw
IU School of Medicine-Evansville student to compete in FIFA Women's World Cup
https://medicine.iu.edu/blogs/md-student-news/iu-school-of-medicine-evansville-student-to-compete-in-fifa-womens-world-cup?fbclid=IwAR2F3L6d8C57kV8PtibRkUn0IxWOzcHAhk1CRNno2V7UVWnwa-lJ6jvqkmc
This city was ravaged in WWII. Why do few remember the suffering and sacrifice?
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-05-29/manila-was-ravaged-in-wwii-why-does-no-one-remember-this
Filipino artists challenging stereotypes and showcasing talents at new exhibit
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6865995?fbclid=IwAR2iZsowM4fb46WEr3dkDdSR-pXC1XnKQjI09Go-FFNAOAK_YI1ZN_bdwlA
Ibang-ibang Ibarra! Find out how foray into musical theatre changed Piolo’s life
https://bilyonaryo.com/2023/06/08/ibang-ibang-ibarra-find-out-how-foray-into-musical-theatre-changed-piolos-life/business/?fbclid=IwAR0YQftJPXj0I4RqFXzQ4xOEINPcH5xFi0TVQ0DCrxWIlSws__KJU7s-WwY#gsc.tab=0