Category: Wansapanataym

Wansapanataym (a localized take on the English phrase “once upon a time”), also called Wansapanataym Presents, is a Filipino fantasy anthology television series produced and aired by ABS-CBN every Sunday night. The series tells the stories of ordinary people who experience incredible events involving magic and the supernatural, leading to life-changing adventures. Similar to the children’s show Hiraya Manawari, the series emphasizes values education for children and teens, imparting lessons in courage, discipline, honesty, humility, love, obedience, respect, and other morals through Filipino tales and legends, as well as original stories.

Wansapanataym originally aired from June 22, 1997, to February 27, 2005, following The Sharon Cuneta Show. It returned for re-runs from 2006 to 2007, then aired again with new episodes from September 11, 2010, to April 7, 2019, replacing Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla and later replaced by Hiwaga ng Kambat. The show also aired under ABS-CBN’s Yes Weekend! primetime block, featuring both new episodes and remakes. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wansapanataym returned to air every weekend in 2020 until the expiration of ABS-CBN’s broadcast franchise.

Wansapanataym is celebrated as the longest-running fantasy anthology series in Philippine television history, reaching its 19th year in 2019. Known as “the original storybook of Filipino children,” the show evolved over time, incorporating diverse genres like romantic comedy, action-adventure, horror, and science fiction, while staying true to its fantasy roots.