Urduja Now in GMA 7

For those who didn't watch Urduja in cinemas last 2008 or haven't watched on GMA 7's SNBO last September 27, 2009 you can now watch this movie in GMA 7 again . This time, it will show on Fridays this week (January 8,2010) around 10:15 AM Philippine time. This is a great opportunity to let viewers watch this one-of-a-kind Philippine animation.

P.S: Too bad I didn't watch Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalya last Sunday. Where am I suppose to find a DVD copy of it?

Flash Animation

Image from http://images.karlaredor.multiply.com/

Nowadays, computer has becoming one of the useful technology in human society and Internet has becoming popular. There are many stuff that were invented using computer like software and websites. Speaking of computer, I somehow dream of trying to make an animation using computer aside from drawing using Photoshop. You know what I mean? Yep, it's Flash animation. They are also called computer animation 'cause well it was created on the computer using animation software. They're also called digital animation but most of people commonly called those cartoons as Flash. As of now, there are many animation software that released and some of them are offered as downloads for free. If you're a programmer who knows alien, er, programming codes there are also too. But what's behind on those computer animation?

Like any animation techniques, flash animation is a new technique that will exchange to 2D traditional animation for less time and money. Their predecessor perhaps the 3D animation is another reason why they're invented. As time goes by, many computers are consumed by customers as a part of personal work or even business also the factor. Flash animation started on the websites for adding design effects for market and business websites. As improves, Flash became influenced with animation and can be watch in computers especially on television. Have you notice there are lot of western animation that are made using Flash. Some of the examples are Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, HiHi Puffy AmiYumi, The X's and a lot more. Flash animation is a pretty useful tool for animators who are using computers.

Not only from the West, some Asian countries like in the Philippines also made animation using Flash or digital. Examples of our Philippine animation like Urduja and Dayo can be evident why we got our animation in a digital way. Before they're appeared in cinemas, Filipinos hardly unable to make a long series of animation because of the budget and expenses of the materials (a.k.a money) which is one of the biggest factors why Philippines has a short decade start of the animation industry. I admit I've never seen animation series like Darna and Ang Panday which some people talking about in the local forums. Well, thanks to computer and Internet, Philippines have strive into animation. I know it's kinda weird but I understand why. With the use of Flash animation, many cartoons were created under that technique and more viewers are enjoyed watching them. It doesn't mean that traditional animation will be dying but still exist today. If you wanna be an computer animator, the first thing I know where to download was to purchase some animation software programs like Macromedia Flash. and Toon Boom. Still, if you want to download without cost there are many websites that offers free animation software but I advise to download programs that you know how to use them without haste.

Since were in digital age, we don't need a reason for not to create your own animation show and there are animation software available. All you need to do is to dream, think and create an animation that will be entertaining to everyone.

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.