TV5 Launches Hi-5 Philippines with an All-Filipino Cast!

I can no longer remember what year our son with special needs got hooked on Hi-5. But I recall how we'd play the group's CDs over and over, every day, for months. We loved the original cast composed of Kathleen (a Filipina), Kellie, Charli, Tim, and Nathan. Expectedly, even my husband and I learned to sing most of their songs. 

James with the Hi-5 Philippines cast
plus Fely Irvine, former cast member of Hi-5 Australia

Our James continued to love Hi-5 through the years. When the group had a show in SM Aura in 2013, we brought him there to see the new cast. Despite his not being able to talk, my son shows how much he appreciates listening to the upbeat songs and watching the dances by laughing out loud and staring at the TV screen with bright and happy eyes. 

James staring intently at Rissey :) 

This 2015, a more exciting and fun-filled learning experience awaits kids and their parents because TV5 has just launched Hi-5 Philippines, a local version of the award-winning Australian children's edutainment program. The show features an all-Filipino cast and is a first for the series franchise in Asia.

inside TV5's studio

The dynamic new quintet was presented to members of the media last June 11 at the TV5 Media Center  in Mandaluyong City. Not surprisingly, they all have extensive backgrounds in performing arts, which would definitely be useful in helping them channel their energies to engage kids in music, imaginative play, social interaction, and developmental growth in fun ways.

Hi-5 Philippines cast with Fely and TV5 executives

Noel Lorenzana, TV5 President and CEO, expressed how excited they are to bring world-class edutainment closer to more Filipino children. "This is our way of not only showcasing world-class Filipino talent but, more importantly, helping shape our country's future generations."

L-O-V-E, I love you and you love me! :)

According to Jane Basas, Media 5 Corporation President, they are likewise proud to partner with Hi-5 World in introducing to millions of Filipino kids a local version of the highly interactive show. "We are up to the challenge of producing the show that is at par with global standards."

High five!

Hi-5, which was launched in Australia in 1999, rapidly grew in popularity over the years and has already won three Logie Awards for Most Outstanding Children's Program. It has also bagged five ARIA Awards for Best Children's Album and five Australian DVD and Video Industry Awards, among other accolades. Eventually, Hi-5 started expanding its reach by franchising the show across North America, Europe, Australasia, Latin America, and Asia. 

Kiddie guests posing with the cast

This is the first time thought that the Hi-5 franchise assembled an entirely new cast for the localization of the show in Asia. FYI, the Filipino version of the musical group is the ONLY other cast apart from the one in Australia! 

during the press con

Starting tomorrow, June 15, 2015, make sure to meet the Hi-5 gang composed of Gerard, Aira, Rissey, Alex, and Fred and let your kids get ready to dance and sing along every weekdays at 8:30AM and 3:45PM on TV5!