Where kids learn from kids

THE PRODUCER of a new educational show for kids aired on GMA 7 took exception to accusations that the network is trying to get “Batibot” off the air by creating shows with a similar theme.

Gigi Santiago-Lara, producer of “My Chubby World,” said there should be no cause for alarm from the TV5 camp, where the revived educational TV series based on “Sesame Street” is airing. She said there are enough viewers to keep every kiddie show running.

GMA 7 also airs “Art Angel” and “Tropang Potchi” on Saturday mornings.

No competition

“We all have the same goal, to encourage kids to learn new things,” Lara told Inquirer Entertainment. “Kids, aged 2 to 12, comprise a big chunk of the TV audience. In this case, we target the 7 to 12-year-olds. It is not a direct competitor of ‘Batibot.’ If there is something good about this, it would be that kids can now watch more shows that suit them.”

“My Chubby World” director Don Michael Perez explained the difference: “‘Batibot’ has a teacher-student set-up. On our show, kids learn from other kids. It’s more like your friend coming over to bond with you, talking about things you like as kids.”

Perez said “My Chubby World” is something children could see when they “graduate” from watching “Batibot.”

“This show has a talk show/magazine format,” he pointed out. “However, the kids don’t just mouth what’s written on the script. There’s storytelling involved.”

The show is hosted by four bright and energetic kids: Renz Valerio, from the series “Bantatay”; Zyrael Jestre, cast member of “My Lover, My Wife”; Daniela Amable and Gianna Cutler, who were both seen in “Beauty Queen.”

Perez described “My Chubby World” as a combination of the shows “Blues Clues” and “iCarly.”

“They’re similar in terms of how the camera is used,” he explained. “The kids only look at one camera, as if they’ve just set up a webcam. They present something that they themselves did. It’s as if the show has no director and production designer, like they made their own props.”

“My Chubby World” airs Saturdays at 8:15 a.m.

E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph