’90s Kids, Relive Your 5 and Up Memories Through This Online Series

(SPOT.ph) For kids who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, television was a huge part of our edutainment (educational entertainment). We didn’t have Google, but we did have Batibot to teach us about the alphabet and Filipino values, Sine’skwela to explain to us the science of things, and Hiraya Manawari for Filipino legends and myths. On weekends, we had 5 and Up, a magazine show that featured Filipino personalities, places in the Philippines, and even national issues reported by kids for kids. It’s been more than 30 years since the first episode aired on ABC, but the memories of 5 and Up live on. And if you miss this informative show as much as we do, the University of the Philippines‘ radio station DZUP put together a short series about the show titled Laking 5 and Up.

The first episode was released on Facebook on January 19 and featured Atom Araullo, Chynna Ortaleza, Justine de Jesus, and other 5 and Uppers. The series has a total of three episodes as of writing, which were uploaded every Thursday.

“Para sa mga manonood noon at lalong-lalo na para sa mga manonood ngayon—ang mga mag-aaral, mga guro, mga mananaliksik, at pati na rin ang bagong henerasyon ng mga manunulat at manlilikha ang palabas na ito. Kasi naniniwala ang aming programa na singyaman at singlalim ng anumang kwentong buhay ang kwento ng kabataan,” says Ortaleza in the first episode.

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The Story of 5 and Up as Told in Laking 5 and Up

5 and Up premiered on May 16, 1992 on ABC, then later moved to GMA, where it aired its last episode in 2003. It was produced by Probe Media Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the Philippine Children’s Television Foundation.

The one-hour show was the brainchild of eight-year-old Zac Yuson, a fan of the Probe Team—also a magazine show—and her aunt Cheche Lazaro. He later formed the Junior Probe Team with his friends from school, and they were eventually invited on one episode of the Probe Team on January 17, 1992. Four months later, 5 and Up was officially formed.

Yuson, Araullo, Ortaleza, De Jesus, and other hosts started on the show as eight- and 10-year-olds. Kids would come and go as the older ones left when they reach the ages of 14 and 15. Other young hosts that were part of the show included Maxene Magalona, Rayver Cruz, and Rodjun Cruz.

Each episode typically had three main stories, while skits and shorter features would be placed in between the major segments.

5 and Up was a recipient of the Gawad CCP Para sa Telebisyon (1992 to 2000), Catholic Mass Media Awards (1992 to 2002), KBP Golden Dove Awarsd (1992 to 2002), PMPC Star Awards for TV as Best Children’s Show (1992 to 1993, 1994 to 1996, and 1999 to 2003), UNICEF Prize – Prix Jeunesse in 2001, and the Asian Television Awards for Best Children’s Program in Asia, also in 2001.

DZUP’s episodes have so much more to tell about 5 and Up. You can watch them on Facebook:

Episode 1: Featured Personalities on 5 and Up

Episode 2: Characters and Episode Specials on 5 and Up

Episode 3: The 5 and Up Journey of 5 and Uppers

Laking 5 and Up is produced by Elizabeth L. Enriquez and Daphne-Tatiana T. Canlas and directed by Ryner Viray. 

To catch more episodes, follow DZUP on Facebook.