Isko: Adventures in Animasia (1995)

Black and white movie poster from http://video48.blogspot.com

Here's another animated film that was Filipino-made. Honestly, I can't find images of the movies sources nor full information (it's like forgotten in the Internet) . I knew that I watched this one a long time ago in few local networks. I'll try to remember or recap with this one.

"Isko: Adventures in Animasia" may be the one of the early Filipino-made cartoons that appeared in the Philippine movie industry. The movie contains light-hearted adventures of the hero and the coconut-dealer named Isko; portrayed by Ogie Alcasid in Animasia. His mission is to save the princess and the land of Animasia from the evil monsters roaming around the another dimension called Animasia . Little know that he would win the love from Annaly (portrayed by Michelle Van Eimeren). There were also several supporting characters in the movie including Isko's friend (portrayed by Michael V.) and the anthropomorphic bee who is the one sending Isko to Animasia. The other side of the world, Animasia (pun of the words "animation" and "fantasia") is a place where both good and evil creatures live in the fantasy world. A lot of scenes like comedy, adventure and romance takes place both in Animasia and Earth. There are also few musical scores for viewer's delight.

Back in 1995, it was aired in the cinemas and became the part of FAMAS awards. Gerry A. Garcia was the director of the movie and Elmaurie Galvez was one of the staff had responsible for visual effects. Computers were not much familiarized to Filipinos during early 90's so the staff made the traditional cel-animation about few months up to 2 years including the filming for live-action.

Although Isko: Adventures in Animasia had a mix both animated and live-action series, few critics can't be considered it as a full-length animation but it received positive reviews. The movie won two awards for FAMAS in 1997 - Best Visual Effects and Best Special Effects. Of course, Isko: Adventures in Animasia is one of the cartoons that Filipinos strive to become animators. The next entry, Ibong Adarna was created in 1997 and became the first full-length Pinoy animation (not the "Urduja" that talks about these days).

The last time this movie appeared in TV was in GMA last December 2007. It would be better if any local TV stations to re-air this one or remaster the movie in DVD. I sure don't remember it's opening sequence nor the songs introduced.

Gerry Garcia (1953 - 2010)

photo from Tuldok Animation on Multiply

While I was checking on the internet especially my blog, I recently found out in another Blogger website Usapang Komiks here. I'm really sad about the news. Why? Because the man behind Isko: Adventures in Animasia (1995), Ibong Adarna (1997) and the Panday animated-series passed away due to a heart ailment last February 12.

I don't know if I'm sure about saying this but we lost the greatest Filipino animator who first introduced Philippine animation to the theaters. Up until now, only Filipino animators know that Gerry Garcia is a legendary animator in our country. He even tried to defend his legacy (Ibong Adarna) after he found out in Rated K that Urduja is a first-ever full-length Filipino animated feature film in year 2008. But in the end, it is still in dispute and Gerry Garcia believes that "History is on his side".

For more information, click this article here. Don't forget to check out Tuldok Animation's Multiply website here which contain photos of Gerry Garcia and his last animation exhibit in the Philippines.

Condolence to the families of Gerry Garcia...

Ibong Adarna / Adarna: The Mythical Bird (1997)

I guess I need to perch this one out.

For earlier days of Filipino animation, one of the biggest and main problem for having few produced animation series is that the expensive budget should use. Efforts of producers and animators of Filipino-animation seem needs a lot of support from the critics and also many people will responsible to watch their output. One objective for Filipino-animators during the 1980's to mid-1990's was to create cartoons for TV that we can be proud of (Filipino-made cartoon, that is) and they did what they do. The first early cartoons made by Filipino's was Ang Panday, Darna and Captain Barbell which I think appeared in RPN 9 during 80's. Then again, those cartoons were to be cheap and they're in a short run-time because of the budget needs to be produce. Unlike from the cartoons from USA or Japan, the quality of animation in the Philippines seems less dense. But the early animation industry of the Philippines appear to be fine examples why many Filipino people familiarize the Filipino-animation.

In the mid-90's, a charcoal portrait artist named Gerry A. Garcia spread out the idea of having Filipino-made animation. Like I discussed about Isko: Adventures in Animasia, Gerry was responsible for getting Filipinos to show their another talent by means of animation or showing a full-length movie in cartoons. A full-length animation was (well at least) succeed in movie industry and "Ibong Adarna" or known as "Adarna: The Mythical Bird" in English would tell why our country is familiar in local animation.

"Ibong Adarna" was like a dream-come true for many Filipino animators or people who want to see animated features made by Filipinos. A full-length animation needs years of effort and responsibility of producers. Before getting into animation, it's no wonder why producers decided to adapt the cartoon based on a Filipino folklore which I rather save that kind of explanation. FLT Films and Guiding Light Production joined forces for production while Gerry Garcia did the script and became the director of the movie. Because that happened in the 90's, they used cel-animation technique (with 3D effects?) and need many hours of time for voice recording, storyboards, drawing and so on.

In order to improve the full-length animation, the producers picked out famous artists from Philippine showbiz. One of the cast of "Ibong Adarna" was Jolina Magdangal who did the voice of the mythical bird Adarna (she sings too). Other voice actors include Marvin Agustin, Martin Nieverra and Regine Velasquez. Then again, the "Songbird" Regine Velasquez sang few songs for the movie.

From time-consuming work for a single featured movie to showing to movie-public, "Ibong Adarna" appeared to cinemas on Christmas Day and became the part of Metro Manila Film Festival in 1997. Sadly, what the result of the animation receive mixed reviews but it receive two awards-a special award from Metro Manila Film Festival 1997 and honored in 7th Hiroshima Animation Festival as "Asian collection" in 1998. I don't know if this is true but some people say who remembered watching that movie said some parts of the animation loose quality. Meanwhile the producers were not able to recover their investment. Gerry Garcia, on the other hand claimed to be "Walt Disney of the Philippines" and "Father of Filipino Animation" after his works like Isko: Adventures in Animasia and Ibong Adarna. I haven't heard much of the movie's merchandises or support from other franchise unlike Dayo and Urduja. After receiving two awards, Gerry Garcia take a break in New Jersey since 1998.

Many articles from mass media said that Urduja is the full-length animation but Ibong Adarna took the place as first full-length animation.Gerry Garcia felt dissapointed when Ibong Adarna is back stabbed by Urduja for claiming for "first full-lenght animation" place. I don't know how come many people thought Urduja is the first but I guess they forgot the history of Filipino animation or judging the quality. Gerry said in an article that his work is his pride and joy which makes him honored in animation.Maybe because he planned the animation idea for Filipinos in order to avoid too much "colonial mentality" from cartoons from other countries and make Philippines have a large industry when it comes to animation. Still, animators like Gerry Garcia never lose hope as if one day a break will find them.

In the internet days, at least many people discuss about Philippine animation especially they hope that they want too see many Filipino-made cartoons with their original and higher quality.Images or video trailers from the past Filipino animation like Ang Panday or Ibong Adarna are rare that needs to ask to search engines.I have no idea when is the last time Ibong Adarna appeared on television. Gerry Garcia's Ibong Adarna is much different from the other Ibong Adarna cartoon trailer here. No doubt asking if the result of mixing 2D and 3D animation style would be horrible or not.