Senator Loren Legarda, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) launched last week the second edition of the “Wikaharian 2” educational video series for Grade 2 which aims to improve the reading skills and comprehension on Filipino children aged 10.

“We cannot deny the crisis in the ability of children to read and comprehend. But at the same time, we are not giving up the future of our children. That is why we are here now,” the chair of the Senate Committee on Culture and Arts said at the launching event.

Legarda, who ensured adequate funding for the production of “Wikaharian,” added that each word, phrase, story and pieces of culture and history are not only part of their learning but also serve as the foundation of their character as Filipino who has knowledge, dignity, care, pride and courage to face a world filled with challenges and change.”

The senator renewed her call for urgent, concrete action to raise literacy levels and instill cultural pride among young Filipinos, stressing that preparing the youth for global competitiveness begins with ensuring they can read, understand, and embrace their identity.

She cited the results of the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment and the study of the World Bank in 2024 that reported of 91 percent 10-year-old Filipino children who cannot read and comprehend a short story appropriate to their age.

To help address the challenge, the NCCA, with support from Legarda, partnered with KCFI to produce “Wikaharian 2” to make learning Filipino language, culture and values engaging and accessible to young learners.

“Wikaharian 2,” an animated series intended for Grade 2 students, is a continuation of the first 50 episodes of the Grade 2 Filipino series produced in 2022.

In 2020, KCFI and NCCA partnered to develop 80 short video lessons, each 8 to 10 minutes long, with corresponding session guides. These learning resources used local stories, culture, and Filipino contexts as the foundation for teaching beginning reading to Grade 1 learners.

A study by the KCFI in 2020 showed that the episodes significantly improved the learning not only of average learners, but also of at-risk readers or those who have high chances of failing academically.

“Wikaharian Grade 2” can be watched on Knowledge Channel Filipino Grade 2 curriculum block, from Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. with replays at 8 p.m., via BEAM Channel 31, cable, direct-to-home satellite DTT, and online on iWant.

It can also be watched on Knowledge Channel School Anywhere on the Kapamilya Channel and A2Z.