Modern learning for Filipino kids becomes more exciting when they enter the melodic and enjoyable world of MUSIKWELA. The online children’s show blends music, storytelling, puppetry, and animation to educate kids while nurturing their deep love for God and the country and teaching them traditional Pinoy values.
“We want to raise a generation of Filipinos who are proud to be Filipinos and live with empathy, respect for oneself, others, and the environment, and aspire to make a positive difference in our society. In Musikwela, we believe that character-building also equates to nation-building,” shares Ellen Estrada, the founder and executive director of Musikwela. She is also the creative director and head of Ideasquest, Inc., a humble advertising boutique agency and animation studio.
Musikwela is Ellen’s passion project. The idea for Musikwela started in 2014 when she noticed that her daughter’s classmates were no longer saying Po at Opo. She explains, “I somehow felt alarmed. Sila kasi ang mga kasabay ni Yumi paglaki. This thought lingered for some time, then I finally decided to do something about it. I know I can write stories and make music. With our company, I have the resources that I need, so I just went to work and made a song about Po and Opo.” Not long after, the Po at Opo and Ang Bagong Alpabetong Filipino songs she released went on to reach 3.4 million and 4.7 million views, respectively!
Since 2017, Musikwela has been an effective teaching aid to teachers, parents, and other educators and it became more relevant during the pandemic because of online learning. “Technology is now a big part of our lives. There are also different parenting styles. I hope Musikwela becomes a family activity, where parents watch it together with their children. I also hope it will spark a child’s curiosity so that they will ask questions to their parents about the episode, do the same craft activity they saw on the show, or sing the songs together,” Ellen says.
Ellen Estrada, the founder and executive director of Musikwela
Musikwela won the major award (Best Documentary) and a special award (Most Child-Friendly Documentary) in the Adult Division of the National Council for Children’s Television’s (NCCT) DokyuBata Film Festival in 2023 for its documentary about the life story of food chemist and war heroine Maria Orosa, titled Ang Bayani at Ang Kanyang Sandok. It was also recognized at Baguio’s Montañosa Film Festival’s Pelik Ubbing and received the Special Jury Citation for Educational Documentary for Children.
Musikwela’s 30-minute children’s show’s hosts are composed of Ate Yumi and puppets Potpot, Lala, and Biboy. They are collectively known as MUSIKSCOUTS or MUSIKWELA SCOUTS. These hosts’ mission is to inspire kids to learn, discover, and express themselves confidently. They embody the positive values and life skills of a good Cub Scout that the hosts share with young viewers.
Leading the pack of Musikscouts is Ellen’s daughter, Yumi Sansano, a multi-medalist at the 2019 World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) who took home the title Champion of the World for Opera, Junior Division from the international competition that was held in Los Angeles, California. She is also a Season 1 host of PTV 4’s children’s program, Artsy Craftsy. As a soprano, she has performed for the President, ambassadors, and distinguished guests.
The three lovable main puppets each have distinct personalities that the young generation can learn from and emulate as good Pinoy values. Potpot is an 8-year-old red, furry puppet. The cheerful musician among the Musikscouts, he loves playing the guitar, which he learned from his Lolo. Potpot believes every song has the power to tell a story, bring people together, and make ordinary moments unforgettable. Potpot’s beloved dog Pawpaw is always with him on many adventures.
Lala is the creative artist of the Musikscouts. The pink, furry puppet is 6 years old. She loves drawing, painting, and using her imagination to turn ordinary things into something colorful and meaningful. She is friendly, thoughtful, and empathetic. Lala believes caring must be shown through actions, and not just in words.
Biboy is the biggest yet youngest of the furry puppets. This 5-year-old is the nature lover and little tinkerer of the Musikscouts. He enjoys taking care of plants and loves gardening. Biboy loves tinkering, experimenting, and using whatever he discovers to create something new.
“Shooting with puppets is actually challenging. Puppetry is very technical, especially performing on TV. You must have the right angle. Sometimes our puppeteers had to perform in very uncomfortable positions to get the right shot for that scene so the character looked completely natural on camera,” Ellen explains.
Parents and kids have something to look forward to in November as Musikwela drops its five latest episodes, perfectly timed for the National Children’s Month. Ideasquest, Inc. and the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT), an attached agency of the Department of Education, co-produced the five 30-minute episodes. Each new episode will present meaningful life lessons like respect for elders, indigenous culture awareness, autism awareness and understanding, disaster preparedness, and environmental care. It will be available on Musikwela’s social media platforms, Facebook, website (https://www.musikwela.com/), and YouTube. Everyone is also encouraged to follow Musikwela’s Instagram and TikTok accounts.
Before the five episodes, Musikwela has already created 13 videos, including animated songs and the documentary Ang Bayani at Ang Kanyang Sandok.
Ellen talks about how she envisions Musikwela in the next five years. “I hope Musikwela becomes a recognizable Filipino children’s educational entertainment brand that children watch, sing with, learn from, participate in, and grow up remembering. The characters of Yumi, Lala, Potpot, and Biboy will become childhood friends to a generation of Filipino children. We are helping build character in the young; consequently, we are helping build our nation… one song at a time.”
Musikwela’s recent media launch at VS Cinema (8/F Victoria Sports Tower 2, 799 EDSA, Quezon City) was made possible through the generous support of Ceelin Gummies, Ceelin Immunped, Appebon, Allerkid, White Rabbit Philippines, Wildfire, Inc., Shop N Play, and Kontrata.ph.
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