My Son Loves Wowowee

I don’t know whether I should love or hate local television. My son has picked up a lot of antics from it. It’s hilarious but I'm not sure if I should be concerned.

Here are just a few of his TV influences:

1. Viva Hot Babes Song, “Basketball” – Last week, when I was in bed, Ippo placed his drum set on my knees, then started beating it while singing “bahkitbol bahkitbol ang sa sa ng bahkitbol.” The tune was familiar. Later on, I found out that this was Viva Hot Babes’ Basketball song, which is regularly played in Wowowee.

2. Dududu – I woke up from my nap and saw Ippo on the floor playing with our supply of Q-tips. In an attempt to distract me, he started singing “A dududu adada da ahaha.” His yaya had been bragging about it but I could never get him to perform it for me. Instead of scolding him, I laughed non-stop. The song didn’t really amuse me. It’s the fact that he already knows the art of diversion at two years old that got me.

3. Otso Otso – Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t this song a hit back in 2003? My son was born in June 2005. I don’t know how and where he caught this one, but I’ve seen him do it many times. One day he just started singing “tayo ocho ocho, ocho ocho.” And uh-huh, he can dance to it too. Not as well as the SexBomb Girls in my opinion, but he crouches and bounces his knees while singing. Sometimes, I suspect that his yaya is teaching him this stuff.

4. Game Ka Na Ba? – Every time he sees Kris Aquino on TV, he whoops “Game Na.” Even when were watching Deal Or No Deal. Edu Manzano in GKNB does not get any reaction from Ippo. I like Doods pa naman.

5. The Buzz – This is my fault. He says “The Buzz” when he sees Tito Boy (Abunda).

6. Moms, QTV– This is my favorite. Before they break for commercial, one of the hosts would say something like “huwag po kayong aalis, dahil magbabalik po ang… MOMS.” All three hosts (Lani Mercado, Manilyn Reynes and Sherilyn Reyes) would say MOMS in unison. Ippo would say MOMS with them on queue. Even when he is playing and not looking at the TV, he knows when it’s time to say it. Gosh.

7. Pangarap Na Bituin – When Ippo was still an infant, no matter how sleepy he was (as in, looking groggy and all), whenever he would hear Jewel In The Palace’s theme song Pangarap Na Bituin, he would raise his head and look at the tube. Grabe noh?

He does other things that I am certain he learned from television. When he wakes up in the morning, the first thing he does is turn the television on. But I like morning TV for him because he gets to enjoy Dora, The Backyardigans and kiddie stuff from Nick Jr.

I honestly want to limit his viewing, but the people taking care of him are addicted to local TV. It’s sad that I cannot ask my mom and his yaya to (please) stop watching Wowowee. I have nothing against the show, it’s just that I don’t think it’s appropriate for my son at this time.

One of the reasons why I decided to send him to school at such an early age is for him to learn other things. I am happy that he has learned to count and sing age appropriate songs. Pre-school is expensive but I feel that it’s worth it.

I have to admit though, that my son’s funny habits make my day.