One Day Isang Araw: Enriching a child’s imagination

MANILA, Philippines - Whether you like it or not, kids tend to spend too much time in front of the boob tube, especially when there is nothing much to do at home. According to studies, television watching can get in the way of learning. Well, if that’s the case, parents could probably just limit screen time and choose what show is best for kids. After all, lots of kiddie shows are also being offered by TV networks. It’s up to you to discern which ones are just camouflaging as educational.

But there’s a new show that certainly suits every child. From the concept down to its cast, GMA 7’s One Day IsangAraw will definitely enrich the mind. Kiddie stars Jillian Ward, Milkcah Nacion, Joshua Uy and Marc Justine Alvarez will help nurture every child’s mind through various activities that can be included during playtime when the show begins airing tomorrow, June 15 after 24 Oras Weekend.

The show’s tagline itself — “Mag-imagine tayo!” — clearly makes known its objective of encouraging kids to use their imagination. Kids flourish when they are using their toys, drawing materials and reading books. And televiewers will see how the characters Uno (Joshua), Daisy (Jillian), Isang (Milkcah) and Sunny (Marc ) make use of toys, art and books during playtime.

“This is a children’s show that has learning lessons using their imagination,” says creative consultant and headwriter Senedy Que. “The story will unfold based on what the kids usually think about, what their concerns are and what the stories they make up so parang episodes na may kwento na manggagaling sa kanila — may fairytale, adventure, drama. Their imagination comes alive when the kids get together.”

Que adds that Jillian, Joshua, Milkcah and Marc possess different personalities and interests that every kiddie viewer can relate to. Jillian likes fairytale stories and spends free time reading them on her iPad. Milkcah loves Disney princesses like any other little girls while Marc, who played the son of Sen. Bong Revilla and Jennylyn Mercado in Indio, finds robots fascinating.

All four are smart. In fact, their direct-to-the-point yet witty answers during the interview displayed intelligence, innocence and honesty. Joshua is the youngest among the group. He is only six but so energetic and talks a lot. He says he has a crush on Jillian, 8, whom he likes to go on a date with when they grow up.

Jillian responds, “Nakakatawa, six years old (ka lang). Wag mo munang isipin yan.”

Seemingly disappointed, Joshua fires back, “Dedma lang? Bahala ka sa buhay mo. Punta muna ako abroad.”

The laughter continues when Joshua was asked about his manager. “Wala po. Freelance po ako.”

According to him, he had already done 34 commercials prior to entering showbiz. His first TV acting appearance was in Pidol’s Wonderland. Richard Gutierrez is his favorite actor because “magaling po s’ya umarte at pareho po kaming gwaping.”

Milkcah and Marc, on the other hand, admire Marian Rivera and Sen. Bong Revilla, respectively. For Jillian, any artist can be her idol because “all of them are good actors.”

Asked if there’s competition among them, all replied in the negative. It’s one good reason why they click as friends in One Day Isang Araw.

“Lahat po kami mag-kakaibigan,” says Milkcah who also played the title role in Iglot and co-starred with Jillian in My Daddy Dearest and Daldalita.