Philippines Govt. encouraging independent content development

MANILA: Independent Animation content development is catching up in Philippines and the Government of Philippines is doing its share to promote the same. In such an instance the Commission of Information and Communications Technology (CICT) and the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) has partnered with Tuldok Animation to make a 40 minute film titled Pasintabi.

The film will have a blend of traditional 2D and flash animation with 3D props and background. The film will be released in the first quarter of 2010 and will be distributed locally in the Philippines. The first 3,000 DVD copies of the film will be distributed for free among State Universities and Public schools and the Government bodies of CICT and the NCCA to help Tuldok Animation distribute the project. The film is being translated in English and seven major Philippines dialects.

Talking to AnimationXpress Asia Pacific, Benedict Carandang, Co-founder, Tuldok Animation said, "Tuldok Animation Studios Inc. is a non-stock non profit organization whose dream is to make the world realize the artistic and creative talent of the Filipino in Animation. By combining our expertise in storytelling, art, animation, voice acting and music together with our rich culture, it has become our dream that the Filipino artist is recognized in the international community not just as an outsourcing tool but as an untapped resource for creative and unique animation content as well."

Pasintabi is about a boy, Reb who is frustrated with his grandfather's old primitive beliefs and practices. He rebels and finds himself trapped in a world he thought only existed in his grandfather's imagination. And then comes a fateful night that changes Reb's life forever.

Tuldok Animation Studios has no physical office or studio. It is a conglomerate of artists from diverse backgrounds (Animators, Musicians, Writers, Video Editors, Background Artists, Media Practitioners, Businessmen, etc)

Leanna Beltran, Project Manager, Content Development of the CICT commented, "My team at the CICT's Creative Content have been mulling over the idea (since late 2007) of coming up with an original Filipino Animated Film. We at the Commission (through the Creative Content Project), wanted to collaborate with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), but hadn't found that perfect project. One evening though, over dinner with a former school mate, I was introduced to a 20-minute animated film -- an original Filipino story, developed and produced by Filipino creatives: Tuldok Animation Studios (an NGO and grantee of the NCCA). So when I watched the film (Libingan), I knew immediately what we should do: a follow-up to that film. And the rest, shall I say is history"

"Content projects like the animated films "Libingan" and "Pasintabi" not only showcase Filipino talents as inspiring creatives, they also preserve Filipino identity, traditions, and the like at a time when technology has taken over the global village (this era of "client/server databases" or "high-bandwidth networks") and we turn to original content not just for information, but for context, culture, spirit, and colour". she further added

Commenting further, Benedict added, "Tuldok previously produced a 20-minute Animated Short Film entitled Libingan, using an innovative approach to production that is collaborative without the physical studio. Thereafter, numerous print, web and television media have featured this web-based group due to our ingenuity and demonstration of what is possible with limited resources, and most importantly for advocating independent animation production in the Philippines."