September 5, 2024 | 12:00am
A mother once shared how her daughter was struggling to learn Filipino, a predicament that many parents of young children face today, according to YeY channel head Danie Sedilla Cruz.
The solution was unexpected — “Team YeY,” a children’s show that has become a trusted and dependable companion in many households.
Danie shared that the mother followed a teacher’s recommendation to let her daughter watch “Team YeY” to learn the national language. And soon enough, the child’s grasp of Filipino improved significantly.
“She stated that it was effective. That is why she also recommended it to other moms who are experiencing the same dilemma,” said Danie.
This story is just one of the countless examples of the influence and impact that “Team YeY” has had on the lives of Filipino children.
ABS-CBN’s children’s show “Team YeY” has not only become many Filipino children’s best friend since its launch, but it has also been a valuable resource for their moms as it has become instrumental in helping kids discover, explore, and learn. It has also become a source of creativity and joy for young viewers.
According to Danie, “Team YeY” was created as the flagship program of ABS-CBN’s YeY channel, an exclusive TV channel airing shows for kids.
It quickly established a big following among Filipino children. Many of them cried when it lost its original platform in 2020, as seen on social media clips and posts that went viral.
YeY channel head Danie Sedilla Cruz says ‘Team Yey’ was conceptualized with a deep understanding of child development.
Driven by its mission to serve the Filipino people, the show continues to air on the Kapamilya Channel and A2Z, providing kids with entertaining and educational content.
Danie explained that “Team YeY” was conceptualized with a deep understanding of child development.
She pointed out that the show’s segments, “Storyey: Ang Planetang Makulay” and “Game Play: Teamwork,” are somehow predicated on Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory and Piaget’s concept of play.
“We sought to create a fun, inclusive environment where children could explore age-appropriate stories and games that stimulate their minds, encourage creativity, and foster teamwork and collaboration — all while enjoying the process of learning through play,” she said.
The two segments were recently honored at the Anak TV’s Sinebata Video Competition, a national contest of video works for, about, and by children and the youth with the theme, Friendship in Diversity.
Through the years, “Team YeY” has become part of Filipinos’ childhood. Even during the time they were doing school tours, Danie shared that the students knew their theme song and signature dance moves.
“Our cast members would narrate how they have been approached by parents and kids who tell them how much they enjoy watching the show,” Danie noted. “They mentioned that they still get messages or comments about the things they did on ‘Team YeY.’”
The show’s segments ‘Storyey: Ang Planetang Makulay’ and ‘Game Play: Teamwork’ win at Anak TV’s Sinebata, a national contest of video works for, about, and by kids and the youth.
As viewers’ media habits evolve, “Team YeY” has found new ways to connect with its audiences in the digital age. The show has built a strong online presence on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
“A video clip showing the reunion for the ‘Team YeY’ cast, who turned 13 during the pandemic, logged more than a million views on TikTok. Spontaneous, authentic, clean fun and humor are the sweet spots for today’s kids and parents,” Danie explained. “Our shows on Facebook and YouTube have short-forms, mid-forms, and long-forms. We also do Reels and Shorts to ensure that we meet the diverse preferences of our audiences.”
The journey has not been an easy one, but “Team YeY” has proven that it is not just a show — it is a trusted friend, a source of joy, a dependable tutor, and a cherished part of growing up for many Filipino children.
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