Happy birthday, Barney!

Barney, the world’s most loved dinosaur, is 20 years old. If a generation is measured at 20 years, that means Barney has already provided millions of children all over the world thousands of hours of fun and learning. This is not to mention the also millions of parents who have found a great helping hand in the purple Tyrannosaurus Rex in their child-rearing chores.

And that is a fact. I do not know what it is about Barney who claims to be 200 million years old that kids find so enchanting. But I have seen it happen. Children never fail to quiet down to watch and listen once they see Barney or even just at the sound of his voice. Maybe it is because they instinctively feel Barney is very much like them or is their very own. That is because he comes to life only through a child’s imagination. No adults allowed. And that is how kids think life should be.

Of course, Barney is not without his critics. He has been called ugly. It has also been said that the TV series and videos have no educational value and that the T-Rex encourages unhealthy eating. Think peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on pumpernickel bread. But Barney now also likes veggies. Besides, he is very friendly, loves children and fosters family togetherness. As he says in his most famous song, I love you, you love me, we’re a happy family…

Barney was born on video in 1987 and he is now celebrating the event with a world tour. A huge party is his friends’ way of commemorating two decades of sharing, caring and imagination. Of course, kids in the Philippines are invited to join the fun. They will get the chance to see Baby Bop the green triceratops with the yellow blankey, pink ribbon and ballet shoes, BJ, the yellow protoceratops with the red baseball cap and sneakers plus everybody else throws Barney a super-dee-duper surprise birthday party when Barney and his friends arrive for a series of shows.

The Barney Dino-Mite Birthday Series will be held at SM North EDSA Cinema 8 on Nov. 22 and 23; SM Mall of Asia Centerstage Cinema, Nov. 29 and 30; and SM Cinema 4 at Megamall, Dec. 14. That’s not all. The troupe is also hitting the provinces with performances at SM Sta Rosa Cinema 3 on Dec. 6; and SM Dasmariñas Cinema 2, Dec. 13. Showtimes are at 12 noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are available at SM Cinema and Ticketnet. Prices are P1,450 (VIP), P930 (Deluze) and P590 (Premiere).

There’s more. Barney also wants to give something back to all the children who have loved him all these years by making less-fortunate kids happy. He has a birthday wish. What he wants is for all his friends to give him either new or used toys, clothes, books and learning materials. So you can bring these gifts to any SM Cinema branch where the Barney Dino-Mite Birthday Party will be held or to other retail outlets that sell Barney products. There are purple gift boxes in these places waiting for your donations. All collected items will be distributed to kids in need by Barney’s friends at SM Foundation.

 Barney also wants his friends to be stars like him. So lucky kids will now get their chance to join Barney on stage. The contest is open to children ages between three and seven. All their parents have to do is buy Barney Dino-Mite Birthday tickets and get their application forms. Auditions will be held on Nov. 22 at The Block SM North EDSA Event Center; Nov. 30, SM Mall of Asia Music Hall; Dec. 6 , SM City in Sta. Rosa Event Center; and Dec. 13, SM City Dasmariñas Event Center. Registration starts 11 a.m. and the kids get to strut their stuff at 3 p.m. Ten finalists will be chosen to advance to the grand finals on Dec. 14 at the Atrium of SM Megamall in Ortigas.

So get those videos playing and brush up on Barney songs now. Sing and Dance with Barney, Rock with Barney and Barney’s Favorites are your best bets. While at it you might also want to check out Let’s Play School or Now I Know My ABC’s and other favorites of the past 20 years.