PBS’ favorite children’s program, Sesame Street, featured its first Filipino-American doll on its Sunday edition.

In a segment about what it means to be confident, Kal Penn, Asian Excellence Award winner and former Obama administration official, told the new TJ doll that he had confidence when acting or speaking in front of people, and then asked TJ, how he showed his confidence.

“Well, I’m learning Tagalog,” he replied. “This is the language my Filipino family speaks and I have confidence in myself because I can always ask my Lola [grandma] for help when I don’t know a word.”

Ji-Young, a Korean-American doll who debuted on Sesame Street in 2021, appeared alongside TJ and Penn and said confidence can be found in the support of friends and family. She also showed off her chopping skills when she played the guitar and said she feels confident when she learns new songs.

TJ was the brainchild of Filipino-American animation director Bobby Pontillas, who general TJ’s Instagram sketch stating “I had an amazing opportunity to work with the geniuses at Sesame Workshop to create a Filipino doll for @sesamestreet! Meet TJ!”

“In terms of his look, I took him as the basis for the children of my longtime friends, Max and Matteo, thanks for the inspiration guys,” he continued. “I was lucky to work with master puppeteer Louis Mitchell, the most beautiful man on earth.”

He thanked the staff in Tagalog saying “Maraming Salamat” “Rosemary Espina Palacios @rosemvpmary for organizing this and bringing me in, Inan Shentu @aznshents for bringing TJ to life and everyone @sesamestreet for what happened!”

Rosemary Espina Palacios, Director of Talent Engagement, Inclusion and Content Development, Sesame Workshop, who is also a Filipino, posted a proud moment on Instagram, admitting that she “cried terribly” on set when they finished filming and that she knew her mom was watching and hoped she was just as excited.

“Welcome to Sesame Street, TJ! I am so proud to have helped introduce some of the Filipino representatives in the area and just in time for API Heritage Month to showcase the range to our diaspora,” she wrote. “His first part with @kalpenn and Ji-Young is all about self-confidence, and I personally feel that it can help break the stereotype of the exemplary minority.”

TJ is played by voice actor and puppeteer Inan Shentu, who is also general some rave selfies with Sesame Street’s newest doll.