MANILA, Philippines — While strict quarantine measures against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have forced suspension of classes nationwide, this does not mean education couldn’t be continued at home.

Classic educational shows are set to come back on free television to bring lessons as children stay indoors these days.

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“Sine’skwela,” “Bayani” and “Hiraya Manawari” would return to ABS-CBN on Saturday, March 28, an answered plea for a netizen who clamored for children-friendly and educational shows amid the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

Mark Ivan Roblas, head of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development’s (DOST-PCIEERD) information group, took to social media to appeal for the return of shows that could help educate children during this time of crisis.

“A lot of our young scientists now grew up to these shows. It formed a part of their childhood that until now they still remember episodes that they have watched,” Roblas told the Inquirer in a phone interview.

“I am optimistic that showing these shows to the younger generation would ignite their interest in science and lead them to pursue a career in research and development in the future,” he added.

“Sine’skwela,” “Bayani” and “Hiraya Manawari” were produced by ABS-CBN Foundation, now known as ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc., founded by the late Gina Lopez.

Roblas’ appeal got the attention of artist Jim Paredes, who then used his platform to reach the TV network.

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On March 20, Paredes shared on his Facebook page that Roblas’ plea already reached the producer of the educational television shows.

“We are in conversation with ABS-CBN Programming and they are currently looking into the possibility of airing episodes of Sineskwela, Bayani and Hiraya Manawari episodes on Channel 2,” Paredes said.

Netizens also pushed for Roblas’ call.

“For adults, they can relive their childhood aspirations to be a scientist. For the kids, they can see how science is very much a part of their everyday lives,” Roblas said.

Apart from the nostalgia, Roblas, a father of two, further said these kinds of shows would be an opportunity to highlight the importance of research, especially with the prevailing situation of the country and the rest of the world right now.

“I hope that these shows convey to the public as well the importance of research, innovation, and art which interplay in these shows,” he pointed out.

Children of the 90s and early 2000s are likely familiar with “Sine’skwela” after it was mandated by the Department of Education (DepEd) to be screened in classes at least once a week as a reference for studying science.

“Bayani,” which aired from 1995 to 2001, dramatizes historical events from the perspective of two students who travel in time.

Values education, meanwhile, is at the center of “Hiraya Manawari” which features an adaptation of Filipino legends. It aired from 1995 to 2003.

ABS-CBN TVplus, SKYdirect, and SKYcable also air these shows daily at 6:30 a.m. (Bayani), 7:00 a.m., (“Hiraya Maniwari”), and 8:30 a.m. (“Sineskwela”) under Knowledge Channel Foundation’s “Stay At Home, Learn at Home” program.

KGA

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