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‘Pepe: Ang batang henyo’
AI-animated series revisits the childhood of Jose Rizal
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Photo courtesy of Creative AiniMation and CreatiVoices
By San Matildo
This Rizal Day, a new Filipino animated series is set to reintroduce Jose Rizal to audiences—not as the towering national hero etched in history books, but as a curious and thoughtful child whose early experiences shaped his future.
“Pepe: Ang Batang “ is being billed as the first AI-animated Filipino series focused on Rizal’s childhood years, exploring his curiosity, intelligence, moral awakening, and the formative moments that helped define his character long before he became a symbol of the nation.
Produced by Creative AiniMation and CreatiVoices, in partnership with AI EDUCATION PH and AI TALKS with The VoiceMaster, the project combines ethical artificial intelligence, historical storytelling, and Filipino values to create content aimed at children, students, families, and educators.
Rather than portraying Rizal as a distant historical figure, the series presents Pepe as a relatable child—one who loved reading, asked difficult questions, learned from mistakes, and slowly understood the meaning of right and wrong. Through AI-powered animation and voice technology, the creators aim to make Philippine history more accessible and engaging for younger audiences.
“Before Rizal became a hero, he was first a child who learned to think,” said Pocholo De Leon Gonzales, also known as The VoiceMaster, who founded CreatiVoices and Creative AiniMation.
He said the series seeks to connect Rizal’s story with today’s generation through animation, storytelling, and the responsible use of AI.
The project also forms part of the broader AI EDUCATION PH advocacy, which promotes AI literacy, ethical AI use, and culturally grounded innovation in the Philippines. According to its creators, Pepe: Ang Batang Henyo is designed to complement learning in schools and homes, encouraging young viewers to think critically, value education, and develop a deeper sense of love for country.
The series is set to premiere on December 30, in commemoration of the 129th anniversary of Rizal’s martyrdom.
More than an animated program, the creators describe Pepe: Ang Batang Henyo as a reintroduction of Rizal—seen through the eyes of a child and told through the evolving future of Filipino storytelling.