"This is something na pinaghahandaan for quite a while. These kids have potential and dito natin makikita kung sino sa kanila ang magkakaroon ng mahabang career sa industriya," shared TV5 first vice president for Creative and Entertainment Production Percy Intalan during the fun- and laughter-loaded launch of gag show Tropang Kulit at the Big Red Barn in Tiendesitas.
Earlier in the day during Wowowillie's Kantanong segment, four of the kids pitted talent and brain power with comedy bar cross-dressers and DJs. With their perkiness and spontaneity, they held their own and quite naturally called attention to themselves. Being newbies, they appeared confident to do the assigned tasks.
The original plan was to have a reality show for the kids, but, according to Percy, they found out during deliberations that children were sensitive to such a show format. They could not stand its pressures and hectic trainings and schedules. That's why they opted for a gag show.
TV5 is building on a programming strength. Remember Tropang Trumpo, Wow Mali, Ogags and Ispup? These shows all dominated the gag show genre in the '90s under home studio Channel 5 (formerly known as ABC 5). The network has undeniably reigned in this format over the past two decades and is continuously doing so with hit Sunday program, Lokomoko U. The Kapatid network's legacy in making Filipinos laugh continues with Tropang Kulit.
Asked how the Tropang Kulit kids differ from the other children in competing networks, host Gelli de Belen explained, "Nag-undergo ng audition ang mga kids na ito; sinala talaga. Pinakamatanda is 12 and the youngest is five years old. Silang lahat may talents na talaga na ipapakita."
Gelli's comedic experience and caliber were established during her days as part of the original cast member of Tropang Trumpo. Gelli expressed that she's ready to impart her expertise to an ensemble of kids whom she observed has a lot of potential.
How are they going to shine individually? "Depende ‘yan sa performances nila. They have individual numbers and different presentations per episode," Gelli explained.
On the other hand, she has prepared herself as host. "Kailangan batang isip talaga para magkakaintindihan kaming lahat."
Tropang Kulit features the cutest and freshest faces to grace Saturday primetime. The top 11 kids of Artista Academy (ages range from five to 10) were carefully selected from among the more than 3,000 talented youngsters who auditioned. They include Ixle Kyle Banzon (nine), Julie Charlotte Cadeville (five), Peter Angelo Echaluce (seven), Josh Clement Eugenio (eight), Jonicka Cyleen Movido (five), Mariella Frances Grace Ortiz (seven), Chloe Dominique Reyes (12), John Carlo Tan (eight), brothers Jason (11), Jhiani (nine) and Jhurel Zimmerman (five).
The kids of Tropang Kulit have talents that go beyond comedy. While most of them can sing, dance and act, standouts like eight-year-old Josh can also play the violin, guitar and do occasional modeling. Another potential child wonder, five-year-old Jonicka, is known to drop some cool rhymes with her signature rap style. The top 11 kids are joined by other 24 ajeje kids, who are sure to add to the fun in Tropang Kulit.
Segments range from educational to spoof, musical sketches to travel magazine, and weird inventions to advice-giving: Peace to Peace, Kidliit, e.Byahe, Tanongers Sagoters, Itanong Kay Butch, Idolo Ko Sikat, Instacook, Ano 'Toh?, Payong Maliit and Detective Ed.
Get ready to be tickled by these tykes in this showcase of fun and light fun Saturday nights at 7 p.m. when it begins on May 11.