What is the First Philippine Animated Cartoon?

Read the bold sentence....


It is recalled that the first Filipino animation series shown on TV was Carlo J. Caparas’ "Ang Panday," for which Fernando Poe, Jr. was the model. The first telecast for "Ang Panday" was on RPN 9 on Nov. 21, 1986. Although it was a consistent toprater, "Ang Panday" lasted only for six months due to the high cost of producing an animated feature.

Coming on the heels of "Ang Panday" were "Darna" and then "Captain Barbell." The trilogy — which was a brainchild of world-class Filipino animator Gerry Garcia — was based on popular comics novels which later became movie hits; while multimedia journalist Fundador Soriano scripted it for TV. In 1997, "Ibong Adarna" was produced by FLT Films and Guiding Light Productions. The full–length animated movie was also the brainchild of Garcia, a l995 Star Awards winner for Best Visual Effects.

But the very first Pinoy animated cartoon was made in l953 when cartoonist Larry Alcala did a black–and–white exercise in movement on regular 8mm film of a girl jumping rope and a boy playing yoyo.


Source:
http://web.archive.org/web/20070714215821/http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/08/31/ENTR2006083173087.html

Danaw nin Kaogmahan (2008)

We saw the heroic animated Urduja back in theaters last year, and here is another Philippine animation that promotes a historical culture....or perhaps I'm not the only one who seen that cartoon before. Danaw nin Kaogmahan or Lake Happiness in English tells of two lovers who seek love and cure to their sadness. Set in the ancient Ibalon, Shariya hopes to find a cure of her deep sadness by attempting to near the waters of mystical lake, and Olimnor must go on the quest by defeating the nemesis in order to win Shariya's love. In other words, the cartoon is based on a legendary folklore in Bicol province.

Danaw nin Kaogmahan was created in Bicol province rather in Manila back in 2008 then launched it's cartoon last May 9 in the same year. Sponsored by Animation Council of the Philippines Inc., Ateneo de Naga University and Avenue Square, and the City Government of Naga through the Naga City Investment Board (NCIB) Naga City made a chance to make a cartoon from their culture. The producer of the cartoon Maogmang Cartoons invested the mix of traditional and digital animation for the project. The producers are mostly students at the Ateneo de Naga University and a veteran animator director Raul Mimay participated. At the end, Danaw nin Kaogmahan was able to succeed showing to many viewers thanks to many supporters especially many students and teachers from Naga City. If you want to find out, someone in Youtube posted a trailer here for preview. Just like Tuldok Animation's Libingan, Danaw ni Kaogmahan is a short cartoon.

More related-articles and news at these sites:
- http://planet.naga.ph/2008/05/06/naga-animation-fest-reels-off-may-9/
- http://oragonrepublic.net/modules/xcgal/thumbnails.php?album=2
- http://nagaanim8.blogspot.com/

Image poster from http://nagaanim8.blogspot.com/2008/05/about-danaw-nin-kaogmahan.html

Midori no Makibao

Unlike cartoons we've seen on TV's, this anime show is quite unusual and attempted to show a sport that should never seen by children at early age - horse racing. An example of horse racing-theme anime was Midori no Makibao. The show is called Green Makibao, the Incredible Race Horse in English title. In the Philippines, the show is called Makibaoh with "h" as pronounce. It's manga version was created by Tsunomaru back in 1996 until 1997 in Shonen Jump magazine and made into anime by Studio Pierrot at the same year. Probably based on Tsunomaru's childhood or teenage experiences in the world of horse racing.

That doesn't mean that Makibao is a bad-influence like any anime shows (or manga) but instead it tells the tale of a young horse who dreams to become a champion. A young white horse named Makibao has an unusual appearance compare to young horses at his age - huge nostrils, big bucked teeth and the size of a large dog. I was thinking Makibao's stereotype was meant to be a joke but somehow to be cute. In early episodes, Makibao is the son of Midori who was one of the greatest race horses in Japan (Midori is a female horse, by the way). Because of his apperance, many other horses he met including his mother underestimated him but that doesn't stop him to be a champion. Makibao has an incredible skill and determination in order to payback his mother's debts and being a race horse champion. With every tests and hardships, Makibao must overcome his fears and challenges in order to pursue his dream.

Makes sense right? First of all, anime shows with horse racing like Midori no Makibao is not really intend for children to be amuse to that kind of sport much, but instead it shows of a character who was born ugly and overcome obstacles along the way. It was really meant to illustrate children about the characters of the show including the moral values about determination and hardwork. When I first saw this show, at first I really doubt I must watch the rest of the episodes because of the character' s appearances. Judging from the picture you see above, the human characters have sort of caricaturisation faces like small eyes, huge nose and thick lips because of the creator's own style. The only thing I really impress about the character design is the race horses in the show especially we really question if Makibao looks like a horse (or a donkey, or dog, or baby hippopotamus?). Another thing I notice was their physical gag which you can even tell what they're meant. An example of the show's physical gag is Makibao releases poo in every episode because of his reaction like crying or excitement. The animation is fine because it was created in mid-1990's and there are few of it's anime's cel animation pictures scattered around the 'net in the present. Too bad it's too late to buy because somebody bought those a time long ago. In this website here, tons of Makibao-related pictures including manga covers are available to see.

I really like their opening theme song here because it express about a certain main protagonist like Makibao never give up to his dream thanks to his dedication of his friends and family. I recently found out that the ending theme song called "Tottemo Umanami" was sung by MEN'S 5. At the end, Midori no Makibao is an enjoyable anime to watch especially to cheer up if you want to see Makibao. And hey, even Japanese people today know Makibao.

Articles About Philippine Animation

Nowadays, there are bunch of cartoons especially full-length appeared in the Philippines thanks to the modern medium used and attention to the audience. If you're interested to find out more about Philippine animation from humble beginnings to current development, there are lot of articles scattered around the 'net and I chose articles that are recommend to read. I still edit this entry if I find out others. Click the links and enjoy to read.

AN INTRODUCTION TO PINOY ANIMATION - Barbero style

A GLIMPSE ON PHILIPPINE ANIMATION INDUSTRY

BEGINNINGS OF PHILIPPINE ANIMATION

COMMON CONCERNS AND FINDINGS IN PHILIPPINE DIGITAL ANIMATION

FILIPINO ANIMATOR FIGHTS FOR HISTORY

THE PHILIPPINE ANIMATION INDUSTRY LANDSCAPE (Available in Google)

FROM COMICS TO CARTOONS TO ANIME

ANIMATED FILMS AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Chinese Animation

Screenshot from 1964 film of Havoc in Heaven

Aside having the most population in the world, China showed their artistic entertainment through animation. Few weeks ago, I've seen few cartoons which have Chinese languages and it's theme songs. I never thought those cartoons are anime but instead as Chinese animation. Like in United States and Japan, China soars high in animation industry.

We know exactly that they're made in China but also influenced in other Mandarin-spoken countries such as Taiwan and Hong Kong. Their history of their animation is close to history of Japanese animation (anime). Back in 20th century, China was influenced in cartoons from United States like Out of the Inkwell. Then, the famous Wan brothers innovate the idea by producing their own Chinese animations like Princess Iron Fan (1941) and Havoc in Heaven (1964) released in theaters which their themes about their culture and freedom of speech. Just like in animation terms like US cartoons and Japan's anime, Chinese animation is called Manhua Anime and still enjoyed today by many Chinese people.

Chinese animation especially their full-length films were exported to the other countries where they share their culture impact. Thanks to the technology, you can see a lot of cartoons made from China but only few have sub-titles. I recommend to watch Havoc in Heaven here for who want to find out more about classical Chinese animation. If you want some action, you can watch Fireball (a.k.a. the alternative "Journey to the West") here. I've also seen few Chinese animation on local TV which locally dubbed in Tagalog languages before like The Adventures of Bubble Carp (or "The Adventures of Little Carp" in Chinese translation) and The Wanderings in Sanmao.... lucky we, that is. Like any countries when it comes to animation, China is still active in creating art and stories through entertainment just to manage everyone to express their creativity. There's even an excerpt in this site here to tell about the China made a "Made in China" mark in animation.

References:
- http://www.muramasaindustries.com/punditry/animation/chineseanimation/chineseanimation.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_animation

Moomin

At first, I wonder myself why I hooked this series. Right, the show is called Moomin. I found out by reading the article about that show long before. The Moomin anime is the 1969 adaptation of Finnish comic strip and books with the same name created by Tove Jansson. It is also one of the anime series under World Masterpiece Theater.

Moomins are the family of trolls, who are white and furry and resembles as small hippopotamus. They're live in a magical place called Moomin Valley and they have a house called Moominhouse, where they spent their adventures together with their neighborhood friends. I have no any full ideas from it's original series but they also made into various merchandises like music CD's, mugs, stuff toys, an amusement park from Finland and even commemorative coin. They had also TV and theatrical adaptations like it's anime version. There are bunch of comic strip and illustrations of Moomin I found in the internet so click the link below (courtesy of Google):

Moomin

The 1969 anime series is available through Youtube though mostly they're in Japanese. The good thing about the show, aside from charming characters and stories is the opening theme song here. As I have read further about the show's article, fans were pleased and the staff decided to create another season of Moomin called New Moomin which was produced in 1972.
In the Philippines, Moomin still on air on channel 11 which air weekdays at 9:00 A.M.