For Young Pinoy Audience

FYPA Updates!

2011-05-23T02:07:00.004+08:00

Boy, I miss this place for almost 5 months. Sorry, I have a lot things to do even it's summer here. I almost forgot the password on this blog, but thank goodness I still remember this. Anyway, it looks like I haven't updating this blog and right now, I'm designing this layout like you see right now. I never keep updating watching cartoons or anime on TV but I try my best to catch-up the latest shows. Since it's vacation, I still have spare time to watch cartoons on TV, especially in early mornings. Speaking of cartoons, here are the following cartoons / anime that are available on local TV right these days. I might post some review about them soon:

ABS - CBN

Hitman Reborn
Naruto Shipuuden
Spongebob Squarepants (Season 4 - 5)
Dora the Explorer
Avatar: The Legend Of Aang (Season 3)
The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius

TV 5

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Handy Manny
Scooby Doo! Where Are You?
Ben 10
Stitch!
Phineas & Ferb
Powerpuff Girls
Dexter's Laboratory
Johnny Bravo
Ed, Edd & Eddy!
Damashita! Powerpuff Girls Z

GMA 7

Pokemon
Dragon Ball Z Kai
Ghost Fighter
Flame Of Recca
Tamagotchi
Bakugan Battle Brawlers: New Vestroia

Studio 23

Akazukin Cha Cha
Fairy Musketeers
Fairy Tale Police Department
Justice League
Soul Eater
Danny Phantom
CatDog
Chalkzone

Well, that's for now. I'm still working on my daily duties other than this blog. Not to worry, if I have time, I watch their shows.

Merry Christmas Message!

2010-12-25T02:38:00.003+08:00

Last year, FYPA presented the Christmas-themed Lucky star. This year, another anime shows up in this site...

Yeah, it looks like the Fullmetal Alchemist's turn for a Christmas picture. I was thinking I should put Ben 10 or Phineas and Ferb-themed Christmas pictures, but I think FA deserved the contribution why TV5 become one of the popular TV networks in the Philippines (so does other anime like Casshern Sins, Yatterman, D-Gray Man, etc.)

Have a Merry Christmas to you all!

Ben 10 Marathon and Generator Rex Preview!

2010-12-24T13:04:00.008+08:00

If you love watching Ben 10, you'll probably like Generator Rex. Generator Rex is another animated series from Cartoon Network and it was created by the creators of Ben 10, Man Of Action! Starting January 9, 2011, Generator Rex will be air on Cartoon Network in Asian countries except Korea. Another news is that for locals, Generator Rex will be on TV5 starting January 1, 2011 (Saturdays). My guess is that TV5 will air that series before CN Philippines. Generator Rex will start around 11:00 AM on TV5

Another marathon of Ben 10 is coming and this time that show will start on January 1st. It will start on 9:00 AM. Uhh, the channel will air those Ben 10 episodes again as usual...

Isko: Adventures in Animasia (1995)

2010-12-23T17:01:00.002+08:00

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.

RPG Metanoia

2010-12-11T21:08:00.007+08:00

Okay, when I was in SM Taytay earlier I accidentally encounter this poster...

I'm so excited that there's gonna be an animated movie that will enter to 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival. Best of all, this movie is the first full-length 3D animation in the Philippines. The movie is called RPG Metanoia (or nicknamed RPG).

According to the synopsis, this movie revolves the adventures of an 11-year-old boy named Nico. Nico seems that he has few friends an instead he plays MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) called Metanoia. His character in Metanoia is "Zero the Vagabond Traveller", who armed with magical yo-yo and agility.

Suddenly, the game and the internet got infected with a strange virus, thus many players' minds and computers are affected. It's up to Nico, along with his online player friends to stop the virus from taking control the whole network.

The RPG Metanoia will become an official entry for 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival along with Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote, Dalaw, and Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last Na To). The voice actors of the animated movie will feature the voices of Aga Muhlach, Zaijan Jaranilla, Mika dela Cruz, Vhong Navarro, and Eugene Domingo.

RPG Metanoia is produced by AmbientMedia with co-production from Star Cinema, ABS-CBN and Thaumatrope. The movie will premiere on December 25th this year!

To watch the trailer of RPG Metanoia, click here. You can visit the movie's official website here for more information.

Dragon Ball Now On Q!

2010-11-22T02:31:00.006+08:00

One of the most popular anime all the time returns to Philippine TV. It's been a long time since GMA 7 last aired this show. Tune in to Dragon Ball starting November 24, 2010 every 4:30 PM weekdays on Q League of Astig!

QTV Channel 11 - Soon To Be An All-News Channel

2010-11-03T23:14:00.003+08:00

Earlier, I read about the shocking news on Q channel 11 League of Astig Facebook fan page here and says that GMA 7 will reprogram Q into all-news channel starting next year. It will also serve as a rival for ABS-CBN's ANC channel which is a cable channel that runs news 24/7.

For those who like free-to-air news channel, it's a good news. However for the rest of the people, particularly women and anime fans will get disappointed. Why am I saying this to you? First of all, there's a problem about GMA Network's net income in the third quarter this year due to low ratings. Another reason is that there's a new GMA network president. So, it's possible that the staff will make plans to increase their income - by making programs for adult audiences. There's a risk that the schedules which contain shows for kids and teens, will affect the reprogramming of Q. As I read that announcement on Facebook, judging from the fan's reactions, they're worry that the Q will be the next channel to stop airing kids show. Some of the largest networks like ABS-CBN (Team Animazing) then TV5 (Animega) got rid of their schedules for anime show and replaced variety shows.

In 2005, GMA Network launched it's sister channel called Q, which intended to be a lifestyle channel for women. Q aired a lot of shows about traveling, helpful tips, entertainment, and cooking shows which the network fairly increase their income. At the same time, Q launched many anime and kids shows, mostly they were aired on GMA before. They also aired anime shows which was brought from ABS - CBN like Heidi and Daddy Long Legs. In 2009, Q made two sets of schedules for children - Super Bulilit, in the mornings and League of Astig, in the afternoons. As of this year, the status of airing kiddie shows on Q goes fine like before.

No one can tell what Q and GMA are up to next year, but let's hope that they'll never do what ABS - CBN and TV5 did because anime in the Philippines will decline sooner.

Trapp Family Singers Now On Q

2010-11-02T05:06:00.004+08:00

Q channel 11 once again brought another World Masterpiece Theater animated series called Trapp Family Singers. The show aired yesterday (November 1) and it's on Super Bulilit block. Watch Trapp Family Singers on Q every weekday mornings around 9:30 AM.

For those who are familiar to this show, Trapp Family Singers is another WTO series aired in ABS-CBN back in 90's along with Daddy-Long-Legs and Heidi.

ETV Intros and Some Episodes

2010-10-24T04:32:00.006+08:00

I recently found out these ETV openings - Hiraya Manawari, Bayani, ATBP, Epol Apple, Sineskwela, and Math Tinik. Don't you think that you feel lucky you watched these shows when you were young? I miss them too, you know. Thanks to housetofu for intros and redwormIII for Epol Apple and Sineskwela episodes for the videos. I miss them, too. Click the title of the shows:

Epol Apple (episode 3 with intro)

Sineskwela (first season intro, episode 3)

Monster Buster Club

2010-10-23T01:54:00.008+08:00

Image from Blue Sky Disney at http://blueskydisney.blogspot.com

Seriously, I didn't realize why I got hooked in this show on Q. I also started liking this series so I wanted to find more about it through internet. Sadly, most of the articles related to have non-English languages so I decided to review about this one. Monster Buster Club or MBC is a CGI cartoon series produced by Marathon Production (the studio where Martin Mystery and Totally Spies! came from) and it's also the first CG-animation made by that studio. Few years ago, this show was aired in Jetix Europe and later on Toon Disney.

Monster Buster Club follows the three 10-year old kids along with Cathy who is an alien. Together with Cathy's grandfather, they formed the secret organization called the Monster Buster Club where their mission is to protect Single Town from alien invaders. Unlike Cartoon Network's Kids-Next-Door, MBC has advanced technology gadgets to capture alien enemies from different galaxies. Like most of the young heroes, the MBC members deal everyday lives like school, bullying, and crushes while balancing their time to bust monsters. Just like your friends, every person has different personalities. There goes Cathy Smith - a happy-go-lucky alien girl who always smile (which I'd say she's my favorite because of her character), Danny - a sporty guy with a sense of humor, Sam - a tough but rational girl, and Chris - smart and a technology expert.

While that show aimed for kids, Monster Buster Club doesn't contain blood or gore but slime is at least okay. It's also a show which contains comedy and a lot of action. Many kinds of weapon are used like laser beams and alien trappers are present. Sometimes, the main characters do their efforts defeating enemies like punching or throwing objects lighter their own. Also, there goes colorful backgrounds and character designs are great. Even the aliens are looking tough. While the story is all about busting aliens, the four kids deal problems like popular people, teachers or bullies. With the gang's positive attitude (and Cathy's optimism), they solve a lot of mysteries and their problems.

To know more about Monster Buster Club, you can visit their official site here. You can also watch that show on Q 11 weekday afternoons at 4:30 PM.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

2010-10-22T02:09:00.003+08:00

Right, it's been a long time I started getting interested watching comic superheroes on TV. Last time, our local TV's (with the exception of cable channels) aired Justice League and Teen Titans on Studio 23. Last time, I think that TV station aired The Batman. Few years later, when TV5 aired Cartoon Network shows I dunno why I got hooked with the new Batman series which called Batman: The Brave and the Bold every weekday afternoons.

Cartoon Network came up with another Batman series after the previous one which was aired in Studio 23. As I watched the Brave and the Bold, I got excited with the stories and it's edgy but smooth animation. Check out Batman's costume, he's got blue design similar to Adam West in 60's version of Batman live-action. What's new on that show is that he's got one or two other superheroes from DC heroes to help Batman solve a lot of mysteries and crimes (although Batman thinks he doesn't need them a lot sometimes). There's also a lot of villains from other DC comics but there are few episodes where you'll see Batman's enemies like the Joker and the Penguin.

Every episode, before the opening theme song there's a trouble and Batman comes to get things right along with his superhero ally but viewer's will soon realize that's not the focus in the main story. Few good things about The Brave and The Bold is that the stories and scenes are kid-friendly and enjoyable. The scripts are good and not so boring. Batman thinks that Gotham City is safe while he's busy solving cases in other remote areas, right?. One great thing I observed in the show is Batman's point of view. He analyzes his partner's strengths and weaknesses and Batman tells that person what is wrong then gives advice like a mentor. In the end of every episodes, there goes moral ending like friendship, acceptance or respect another superheroes' ability - a truly great example for kid viewers.

What I dislike about the show is that you'll hear few innuendos kids won't understand but thank goodness I watch the show on TV5 which means it's on Tagalog-dub. Then again, when you watch Batman: The Brave and The Bold you'll think that you've seen many superheroes that appear in silver or golden age comic books. Since it's on Cartoon Network, the show aimed for young viewers.

Cartoon Network on TV5

2010-08-27T13:36:00.003+08:00

If Spongebob Squarepants moved to ABS-CBN (and Q), there goes Ben 10. What? Yes, it means that TV5 got the rights for airing animated shows from Cartoon Network and that means Ben 10 is one of them. If you watch any trailers on TV5 this week, you'll notice that there are new shows that will air. Usually, they'll air on weekends.

Cartoon Network is one of the cable channels that can be available to our TV's. It is also the rival network of Nickelodeon and Disney Channel. In the other side, TV5 will air new shows like The PowerPuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory, Ed, Edd & Eddy and Camp Lazlo. They're expected to air around September next month. In Ben 10, you can still watch it in weekday and weekend mornings and in replays afternoon. Like shows from Nickelodeon, the Cartoon Network on TV5 will be in Tagalog-dub. Right, I know some people will be pissed when they heard it's on Tagalog version.

Barkada Trip (2005)

2010-08-21T23:51:00.001+08:00

Barkada Trip is a 2-minute short cartoon from ABS-CBN's sister channel Studio 23 aired in the year 2005. Created by Chibibo Toons producers Brando De Leon (or known as "Dok"), Regina Bengzon and Michael Bernaldez then later Fat Fingers Production,it was formally launched during the 9th Anniversary of Studio 23 at Baywalk, Roxas Blvd, otherwise known as BAYBREAK 2005. This cartoon uses digital animation and Flash.

Barkada Trip tells about a group of seven teenagers with their different personality that resembles as Pinoy teenagers. Together, they embark funniest and wackiest adventures every teenager could have. The characters in Barkada Trip resembles as "chibi" (a Japanese word meaning "short person" or "small child"). This show has an anime influence only adding with some Pinoy story lines. Each of the main characters has different personalities. Bok, the leader and the prankster of the group, his mysterious, black pet feline named Malas as his sidekick,Abantao a silent, skater boy who is a punk, Trixie an ultra kikay of the group, Nikki the sports and exercise buff, Marla a tough man-hater of the group, Derek a technology expert and Nori the consummate metrosexual who can't get enough of his pet tarsier named Aries.

The first episode debuted around 2005 as a part of 9th anniversary of Studio 23 entitled "Fishball" and it contained 2 part episodes. In the first two episodes, when Bok and Derek were laughing at the vandalized poster of one of the Studio 23 shows,Maria saw a fishball stand roaming on their way. There, Maria saw and ate some cooked fishball. When two boys found out that there was a fishball stand they only saw a piece of fishball because Maria ate the rest of it, they were sad. The boys were fighting around for just a piece of fish ball but they didn't know, Maria ate the last one she had left.This went the two boys bumped each other in the end. This episode start this cartoon's short premiere during that year. Barkada Trip also made a music video and the full-version of the song entitled "Trip na Trip" performed by Aizo. More characters appeared like Abantao, Nikki, Derek and the rest in the music video.

This cartoon used as short commercial for Studio 23 that aired every mornings 'till the evenings randomly. More of these episodes were produced by Chibibo Toons and it got many attention to the viewers. The story line of Barkade Trip contains humorous scenes that makes you laugh because of the character's different personality. It also contains about life as a teenage group. At first, the characters of Barkada Trip didn't talk so much but instead they used grunts and laughs when they react or as part of their communication. They even act as implicit characters of the show. With the use of digital animation with a lot influence of anime, Barkada Trip showed as a good animation for the young viewers especially teenagers. Every episode, the show contains background music from various indie artists such as Aizo and Chicosci. The music played in the show is great to listen depending on the themes on each episodes.

Around 2006, Fat Fingers Production got the rights of making more Barkada Trip episodes but with the same staff from Chibibo Toons. The main characters got changed and more developed.In some episodes, they even talked and got more wacky reactions unlike from Chibibo Toons for some comic relief . In the new version of Barkada, new characters were added but they only used as background characters of the show. Like in Chibibo Toons, Fat Fingers used digital animation too. During that year, Chibibo Toons still produced more Barkada Trip episodes even though Fat Fingers lead in showing more of their produced episodes. In my opinion, the Chibibo Toons' Barkada Trip got better character designs than from Fat Fingers.

A lot of in depth bio about the main characters in Barkada Trip (and some spoilers). The setting in the show mostly in their fictional "barangay" or some random places depending on the episode like in the boxing arena, Big Brother's house in Pinoy Big Brother,etc.The seven teenagers' ages of Barkada Trip were unknown but they were probably have the same age as high school students. Even their real names were never mentioned in the whole show but revealed in the Studio 23's official website and in a music video entitled "Barkada Trip" performed by Kiko Machine.

Bonifacio Andres (Bok), is a prankster and the leader of the Barkada Trip and has a pet black cat named Malas. Bok is bald and wears a red t-shirt that it's logo changes in every episode like "How can Henry Sy?" with big fonts and a brown shirt. His father who work in Saudi Arabia as OFW ( and ironically owns a cat like Bok, but only white) was his only family member appeared other than Bok's friends in one episode. As a prankster, his friends doesn't accept him at first because he made lots of pranks that made them annoyed especially Marla but some episodes they generally accept him as a member of Barkada Trip. Every episodes, Bok ended up being in trouble because of his pranks or his friends.

Abantao, is the silent person of the Barkada Trip who owns a skateboard. His physical features include his skull cap, green t-shirt with a skull logo, a strip bandage on his cheek, and pants. He is Bok's only best friend ever since they were young as seen in a flashback in one episode. Together with Bok, they make lots of pranks but Abantao make only less pranks than Bok.

Patricia Victoria Regina Lo (Trixie), a red-haired kikay girl of the group who likes to eat a lot. She wears a pink "bestida" and pants. There are some episodes hinted that she has a crush on Abantao. Trixie and Abantao once had a date but only Trixie enjoyed the date because she ordered and ate a lot of food that even Abantao's budget was gone. Even Abantao offered Trixie to ride his skateboard in the end. Trixie and Abantao were paired in a "Rapunzel" parody in one episode.

Innocencia Santiago (Nikki), is a sports and exercise hobbyist. In one episode, before she got hooked in sports she was an overweight teenager and always ate a lot of food in the past. Because she was an overweight girl, no boys liked her until Derek came along to her life. After those painful past , Nikki started to become physically fit and therefore she gets a normal weight to make boys like her. When Derek saw Nikki in a fit, he just stared at her in a distance without a word until Nikki was suddenly chased by a tarsier. It is unknown whether if Derek and Nikki liked each other even they're in a Barkada Trip group.

Maria Lavinia Flores (Marla), is a tough, man-hater in the Barkada Trip gang. She wears a yellow dress and a headband. As a tough and stubborn girl, Marla hates to be taunted by boys especially from Bok that sometimes ended up getting hurt with her physical attacks or sometimes likes to tease boys when she saw them they're ended up from trouble. Marla gets along with Nikki and Trixie as her friends and protects them from Bok's pranks. Like Nikki and Trixie, it is hinted that she may secretly likes Bok but she never reveals her general feelings to him.

Federico Zaragosa VI (Derek), a technology expert of the group. He owns the latest gadgets around and made his own machines for purposes. He even helps his friends about gadgets in some episodes like changing the cellphone's language from Bok's new cellphone. He was in Nikki's past and therefore it is unknown whether if he likes Nikki or not. Both Derek and Nikki were paired in a "Cinderella" parody episode.

Norberto Felix Trinidad (Nori), the consummate metrosexual member of the group. At the early episodes, Nori seems he's a real guy that even he made into the clinic for "Operation: Tuli".As the series goes, he turns out to be only a member in Barkada Trip to be like homosexual (I believe it's because there should be a "gay" member of a teenage group). Even he admit that who he was and likes Bok in one episode.. Nori is the owner of the pet tarsier named Aries. In one episode, Nori once saved Aries from Bok's pranks outside the park and since that day, they become mutual friends.

The character elements in the world of Barkada Trip is a great deal to see one of the digitally made animation made in the Philippines. Some elements in Barkada Trip like in real-life shows Studio 23 and faces of some popular artists on TV were mentioned.The show got even available merchandises too such as mini electric fan, t-shirts,slippers, mobile games and many more.Even Bok made an appearance as a mascot in some Studio 23 shows like Y! Speak and Breakfast.They also made parodies from commercial and anime shows in some episodes. As of this year, it seemed the show has still no plans to produce new episodes. Barkada Trip is a good show to watch and it even gives you fun too see their adventures being teenage Filipinos.

Nick on ABS-CBN

2010-07-19T14:19:00.005+08:00

You've probably wonder why TV 5 stopped airing Tagalog-dubbed Nickelodeon shows and replaced TV 5 Kids, eh? Me either. Last few hours ago, I surf articles about local channels in Wikipedia until I stumbled in this page. In the upcoming programs section which located at the bottom, I discovered that there are shows that was in TV5 before but there are shows that are new to local TV. Then, I clicked the link which is in Pep.ph article inside here.

Yup, looks like it's ABS-CBN's turn to bag the rights for airing Nickelodeon shows after two local channel predecessors RPN 9 and TV 5. According to that Pep.ph article, ABS-CBN's Team Animazing (the kiddie cartoon block which airs every weekday and weekend mornings) will air Nick's cartoons starting from two most popular kids shows today - Spongebob Sqaurepants and Dora the Explorer. The channel also plans to air others like Avatar: The Legend of Aang, Go! Diego! Go, El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera and the new Penguins of Madagascar.

If you're excited, you can watch Spongebob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer starting from Mondays July 26th, 8:30 AM, at ABS-CBN.

El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera

2010-06-07T15:24:00.009+08:00

Starting from clockwise: Grandpapi Rivera/Puma Loco, Manny Rivera/ El Tigre, and Rodolfo Rivera/ White Pantera

Before I will start about this entry, let me apologize for having a long-term waiting to see my new post. It's just because I'll have to fix my college subject classes starting this week.

When I saw this cartoon show on TV5 and Nickelodeon cable channel, I was suddenly amazed and I thought it's Nickelodeon's cartoon rivaled for Cartoon Network's Mucha Lucha. Maybe I'm wrong and Nick Jr's. Dora the Explorer is not only a cartoon with Mexican language. El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera (sometimes nicknamed as "El Tigre") is another Nickelodeon show aired around year 2007 to 2008. Set in fictional place Miracle City in Mexico, El Tigre tells about the adventures of 13-year old boy Manny Rivera. He has superpowers and deals whether if he's going into good or evil side. His father Rodolfo Rivera (a.k.a White Pantera) is a superhero and wanted his son to be like him, but Granpapi Rivera (a.k.a. Puma Loco) likes his grandson as a super villain.

For us, we can say that we are on the good side but sometimes we are in the clutches of doing bad things. For El Tigre, while his villains show up to do crime his conscience is his real challenge. He has to learn to distinguish what's right and what's wrong. Like does Manny use his father's money to buy a tattoo maker instead of a can of guacamole? Or letting his prized animal die and revive it in a horrible way? Those are examples of issues that Manny deals with it.

Manny is just like a tween who never know what responsibilities are and instead to have fun. While he decide which side he will be, he makes trouble along with his best friend Frida Suarez as happy time. Manny also likes to fight for good or worst. He transforms into El Tigre by spinning his buckle belt. He (sometimes along with his family) face many villains including El Oso, Sartana the Dead, Titanium Titan and many super villains in order to protect Miracle City from ruin.

Another exciting reason why El Tigre is that the animation uses Flash plus the hand-drawn animation for effects. The creators and staff of the show added many Mexican culture stuff - from costumes up to famous Mexican people. Whether if your not a Mexican resident, you'll still like to watch it's action and comedy moments. There's even one moral lesson you'll learn in El Tigre , not even Grandpapi Rivera can't resist this value - "Family comes first, whether you're a superhero or not".

If you wanted to find out more about El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, you can check out the creator's DeviantArt account at http://mexopolis.deviantart.com/ and their Blogger account at http://tigreroar.blogspot.com/.

End of TV5 Animega? Oh My!

2010-05-26T19:59:00.006+08:00

Last year, TV5's Animega seem like a hit for Filipino anime fans for airing anime shows every weekday nights and weekends as replays. But now this year, it's schedule will fade away sooner. According to Zen Otaku Honbu's latest news here, TV5 officially announced that Animega will temporarily go off-air starting May 31, 2010. I'm sure this will be much
dissappointment for anime fans and worried if the anime schedule will be gone in evenings.

Before I found out that news, last week I really enjoyed Shrek, Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third on 5Max Movies which they were aired around 7:30 PM. Then, I found out that there are some major changes in Animega. First of all, Clannad which was aired every 6:30 PM and now it is completely finished then Yatterman was moved in 3:30 PM from 6:00 before Street Fighter. Another one, Casshern Sins was moved in 6:00 PM because at this week will completely finish while D-Gray Man is still on air but on 7:00 PM. Last one is that Fullmetal Alchemist still air every Friday nights from 7:30 PM up to 8:30 PM before Midnight DJ. Sounds like a major difference, right? Even at their Facebook fan page, many fans are complaining about the movement of schedule and some of them suspected if the line-up will replace Koreanovelas.

In my observation and opinion, TV5 should not remove their Animega line-up because it is one of the main reasons why the station reach it's success. Animega is also different because every 6:00 PM up to 8:00 PM is the time where news from other stations air while viewers will enjoy anime (especially while they're eating dinner). Best of all, TV5 Animega is the home of requested popular anime shows like Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Code Geass and Lucky Star. From 2008 starting with Yamato Nadeshiko: The Wallflower and Shakugan no Shana, viwers are following the anime timeslot and supported that TV5 should air more anime shows.

While the school time is near, I can't imagine what will happen if the kids will not enjoy watching adult primetime shows like news and dramas and have no time for anime slot. It will be very dull and boring! We also wonder what will happen if many stations especially ABS-CBN, GMA 7, Studio 23 or even TV5 itself place full of Koreanovelas and other dramas over shows for young ones like anime.

Yatterman Remake

2010-05-11T20:47:00.005+08:00

Just after TV5's Masked Rider Hibiki ended, another new anime replaced called Yatterman. Suprisingly, when I search about this anime it was indeed a remake of the original Yatterman which was created in year 1977 up to 1979 by Tatsunoko Productions. Before the 2008 remake, the 1970's Yatterman was the 2nd longest show created by Tatsunoko Productions after Time Bokan. It was also the part of Time Bokan series.

Up: (from left to right) Gan-chan and Ai-chan .Down: Yatta-wan the Robot Dog, Dice and the Yatterman

Yatterman 2008 remake

Yatterman tells about the two young mechanic heroes who are trying to stop the Dorombo Gang from searching their boss' Dokuro Stones which it has an ability to grant wishes whoever gets it.From the original series, Gan-chan and Ai-chan transforms into Yatterman with the help of their mechanic robot dog named Yatter-Wan and travel diffrent parts of the world in order to search the Dokuro Stones. But everything is not on their direct way if there are Dorondo Gang, lead by Queen Doronjo and her wacky troublesome henchmen Boyacki and Tonzra trying to stop the heroes and get what they wanted. In the end, the Yatterman always win the battle and found the stones.

Since am I talking about the remake, Yatterman was created in year 2008 with it's new changes but still the original character design are still there. One of the changes about the anime is that instead of Dokuro Stones, both teams are searching Dokurobei Rings that is scattered all around the world. Gan-chan is also given a personality for him as a slacker and not quite serious unlike his friend Ai-chan.

In the first episode, a genius but slacker mechanic Gan-chan tries to repair his old Yatter-Wan which is meant as a promised gift from her friend Ai-chan. In return, when the Dorondo Gang appeared to create trouble, Ai-chan displays her appeal in order to convince Yatter-Wan to awake from his sleep. The rest of the episode plots got the similar format - the Dorondo Gang creates a scam to earn money, summoned by their boss Dokurobei and tell where to get the next Dokurobei Ring; the Yatterman found about the plot and call their Yatter-Wan to follow the evil gang, Ai-chan feeds Yatter-Wan with "Mechatonic" which helps summon mini-mechas. At the last scene, the Dorondo Gang flew away from the explosion of their mechas (like the ones in Pokemon's Team Rocket) and being punished by Dokurobei.

Hmm, does this remind me of a Super Sentai show especially the original Yatterman was created during the time Himitsu Sentai Goranger was produced?

Voters Education Animation - Tagalog Version

2010-05-07T11:23:00.003+08:00

A short Philippine animation project created by Bouncingball Inc. If you want to see the English version, click here.

Batibot Will Be Back!

2010-04-19T11:44:00.003+08:00

One of the reasons why I'm so happy on TV5 is that according to this Pep.ph website here, TV5 will pick up the Philippines's oldest popular children's show Batibot. For people who grew up in 80's up to 90's will also glad about this. For those who want to know about the show, you can look my blog entry here which I posted last year.

I'm sure nobody will forget the memorable chacaters in Batibot like Pong Pagong, Kiko Matsing and the storyteller Kuya Bodgie. I also hope that original puppet chacters and the original song will return :)

Lucky Star

2010-03-30T09:30:00.012+08:00

I first heard this kind of anime which is called Lucky Star around 2008 and I was so curious about it aside from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. I also heard that many (or let's say millions) of anime fans that they are excited to see that anime because of comedy and a mix of slice-of-life genre. In the opening theme of the series which I first found it in Youtube, the characters are cute and cartoony plus showing their funny facial expressions. Now when I first saw it in TV5 for real, I realize that their looks can be really deceiving....

The Lucky Star manga was created by Kagami Yoshimizu back in 2004 and published in Kadokawa Shoten's Compiq. It later published in other magazines like Shonen Ace. The anime version was created in the year 2006 by Kyoto Animation. The story tells about the daily life of four girl friends who are both in high school - Konata Izumi, Miyuki Takara and the twin girls Kagami and Tsukasa Hiiragi.

When I saw Lucky Star in on Philippine TV , it seems that they fell apart when it comes to storyline especially the show was dubbed in Tagalog. It doesn't mean that the dub is horrible than the original Japanese. If you ever watched few episodes of Azumanga Daioh, you'll know what I mean. Of all of the twenty-four episodes in anime, all you can see is that the main chacters meet in school, talk to each other about certain things, making jokes and do hang-out. In other words, they are just a bunch of vignettes. Plus before the ending credit of an anime, there goes a mini segment called the Lucky Channel which adds the taste of comedy and squeaking the fans.

The problem of the many viewers who watch Lucky Star (especially if the a viewer is a manga of anime first-timer) is that they must be familiar in Japanese video games, anime, and other Japanese pop culture stuff so they will understand the conversation of the characters. Else,the comedy will be terrible to them. Aside from less comedy slices and humor, I also think that the main character's personality doesn't change or develop as the episode goes on. Konata Izumi , is a smart and sporty gal who has blue hair and green eyes. Sometimes she can be lazy in school work and instead she likes to play video games every day which is the reason why she's not good at school. Kagami Hiiragi, one of the Hiiragi twins with a long purple hair is a smart, stubborn one but not good at household chores. Tsukasa Hiiragi, twin sister of Kagami who has a short purple hair is the opposite of her sister - nice but an airhead. Miyuki Takara, a girl with pink hair and glasses is intelligent but sometimes she can be clumsy.

As I watch the few episodes of them on TV5, I felt like I've wasted every 30-minutes and I'd rather switch the channel to watch the news like 24 Oras or TV Patrol. There are few things I really impressed about Lucky Star are the music like the opening theme here and the clean artwork design. I also the like the show's impression of making cameo appearances of other anime shows and characters like Sgt. Frog and Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

In the end, I'm quite enjoyed watching the series. It may have a weak plot but I'm interested as well because of their modern culture like anime and manga. Lucky Star is just like the junior version of Azumanga Daioh where a bunch of random high school girls are present and experience situations, either can be fun or frustrating as long as they're friends. It can be a good comedy series, only if you understand the Japan's entertainment culture.

...and The Gang Jumps to University

2010-03-29T11:18:00.004+08:00

Did you watch the last episode where the wacky student friends from Lokomoko High went to vacation after their graduation in high school? Yes, it really means they are going to university and enroll Lokomoko University. The title of the show will be call Lokomoko U. According to this Pep.ph website here, TV5 (the station where the original Lokomoko and Lokomoko High aired) announced that they will soon present their new entertainment - oriented shows including Lokomoko U. Not to worry, the original cast of Lokomoko High like Alex Gonzaga, Empoy Marquez, JC De Vera, Valerie Montenegro, their classmates and the teachers will return with their funny gags and jokes that make sure we will laugh of.

Hope they don't add too much toilet humor....

2009 Cover of New Funny Komiks

2010-03-20T12:20:00.008+08:00

I guess I'm too late, huh? Infinito Publishing once again released the fourth cover of Funny Komiks last year. Like in the previous issues, inside you will find titles like Tropang Kulit, Kapitan Tog, Dambiboy and his Saydkik Ibok and the return of Superdog. My question is, where am I suppose to buy that issue now that the store I bought the previous issue doesn't have one? I didn't know that just once a year a Funny Komiks issue comes out.

Source: http://komiklopedia.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/gallery-pilipino-funny-komiks/funny1408/

Probably this is suppose to be the next cover of new Funny Komiks from this website http://mengoloid.deviantart.com/art/Funny-Komiks-Cover-142573275. I wonder when the publisher will release future issues.?

Gerry Garcia (1953 - 2010)

2010-03-01T13:19:00.002+08:00

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...

Manga Beginners: How to Read Manga

2010-02-21T17:15:00.006+08:00

Manga is known as comics in Japan and is still popular as ever for many audiences. It is also a reference for producing many anime shows. If you have a manga already and new to them, there are few steps how to read in a proper way.

Sample manga page from one-nmanga.blogspot.com

1.) Start at the back page of the manga.
- many manga titles advise us to read the manga starting at the back first. I've seen the warning of a volume of Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge that's something like this: "Warning, the manga is read from right to left!".

2.) In Western comics (especially our own version komiks in the Philippines), the comics read from left to right. But in Japanese manga, it reads from right to left. Speech bubbles and sound effects of manga also read from right to left.

3.) Repeat the process in the panel to the immediate left

4.) After the final panel, turn the next page and start from the next first right panel.

Note:
- There are manga titles that are read from left to right especially if they are doujinshi (fan-made comics in anime style).

- Footnotes can be quite confusing, but don't worry they help you to know the Japanese definition mentioned in few pages.

Now, you can enjoy reading manga in these few simple steps. You can also read manga from the internet. So, happy reading!

The Basics of Anime - Expressions

2010-02-19T11:07:00.017+08:00

Drawing by naruto224.deviantart.com

One of the good reasons why Japanese anime and manga is so popular because of their expressions. In order to portray emotions we must have actions, gestures, movements and reactions. Without it, we're neutral and we cannot guess what do we meant of our actions. In Western and Japanese animation, the most obvious way to tell a cartoon character's feeling is that by looking their face.

Blush
Blushing displays the redness on the face and usually you can find in the person's cheek. It also results to emotional response like embarrassment, shame or being in love. In anime and manga especially if their genre contains romance, a character who shows blushing indicates he/she likes another person of the opposite sex although he or she cannot admit his/her feelings for a moment. Blushing can also add the cuteness effect.

Sweatdrop

Sweatdrop indicates that they are worried on a particular situation. Sometimes, it also indicates confusion. Mostly, the sweatdrop can be located at the side of their head.

The Red Vain / Popped Vain

Can you see a red cross on a character's head? It's called the red vain or sometimes, referred as a popped vein. It indicates that the character is angry (sometimes being annoyed or frustrated).

Funny Eyes

If you watch any modern anime especially if the genre has comedy, you may see these character's reaction like this. The eyes of the characters show in the picture above has squiggly eyes with white pupils. This kind of expression is used to determine confusion, happiness, anger or hopelessness.

It's also optional for creators to make puppy dog eyes huge and cute like in this example.

The XD

If you tried using Yahoo! Messenger or Facebook and posted the word 'XD,' it means extreme happiness (or sometimes frustration). The 'X' means squiggly eyes and the 'D' is the mouth.

and lastly...

I cannot even tell this kind of emotion if it is angry because of pain or what (I think Lelouch seems quite freaky especially he has two Geass in his eyes). Oh yeah, this kind of emotion shows anger in serious way and commonly you can see that if the anime contains action or drama.

Well, these are the basic facial expression you see in many anime. There are lot of varieties of expressions that I cannot explain,though. It's up to you if you want to discover more like in this website at http://www.mangatutorials.com/tut/expressions.php

References:
* Anime Character Expressions: The Roundup.(July 14,2006). http://www.basugasubakuhatsu.com/blog/2006/07/
14/anime-character-expressions-the-roundup/

* Draw Anime Expressions/ Manga Expressions: How to Draw Manga /Anime Facial Expressioms with Drawing Lessons. http://www.drawinghowtodraw.com/drawing-lessons/
manga-anime-lessons/howtodraw-anime-expressions.html

* Some screencaps found in the internet.

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge...Live Action!

2010-02-18T14:49:00.001+08:00

Yup-yup! If you love Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (or in case, The Wallflower) on TV 5 this is for you. Last November 30, 2009 the Japanese magazine Bessatsu Friend announced that there will be a live-action of The Wallflower and finally announced who will be the cast. This manga-serye series already started in Japan last month. We're not sure when this will air in the Philippines (either on Hero or TV 5)...

More info at http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-5516

EDIT:

If you can't wait to watch the live-action, here's the first episode. English-subbed. :D

The Last Airbender Movie Poster

2010-02-08T14:36:00.003+08:00

Image from Avatar Aang the Last Airbender on Friendster

Kirby: Right Back At Ya!

2010-01-21T13:00:00.010+08:00

If you think Nintendo's Pokemon is the only anime based on video game you know, then think again. One of the popular video game characters from Nintendo appeared in anime. Kirby: Right Back at Ya! or known as Kirby of the Stars in Japanese appeared in the year 2001 up to 2003 with 100 episodes.

If you play any games from Nintendo, you might heard or tried any Kirby games which was first appeared in ol' Game Boy days. The anime tells about the adventures of Kirby in the planet Earth. Kirby falls from the space due to his spaceship broke then fell to PuPuPu village (Cabby Town in English dub-version). Meanwhile, the mean, fat and greedy ruler King DeDeDe the penguin plots evil plans to get rid of Kirby by sending out monsters he bought from Holy Nightmare Corporation (NightMare Enterprises). As usual, the monsters cause problems and mayhem but with Kirby, along with his friends saves the day.

Like any tokukatsu shows you seen on TV (let's say Super Sentai or Kamen Rider series), every episode appear every different monster sent by the antagonist but then they're destroyed by the hero. It's just like it was meant for kids. Not only adventures, but there are few moral values from real-life that are light-hearted. There are some characters that are actually based on the video game counterpart like Meta Knight, Chef Kawasaki, Waddle Doo and the main villain Nightmare. But there are some characters that are added for the anime only - like the siblings Fumu and Bun (Tiff and Tuff) and King DeDeDe's right hand Escargoon. They even appeared as computer animation then switch back to hand-drawn animation which is worth good.

The anime was aired in North America's 4Kids Entertainment almost a year ago after it aired in Japan. There are a lot of name changes from the original Japanese dub-version. After it was aired in America, Funimation Entertainment released the DVD of Kirby: Right Back At Ya! in 3 volumes and a 90-minute movie entitled Kirby: Fright to the Finish-Movie.

In the Philippines, the Kirby anime was used as original Japanese version which first aired on GMA 7 last year. It was re-aired in QTV 11 in weekday mornings this year. In conclusion, Kirby: Right Back at Ya! is good anime for kids and not as much terrible to watch.

Urduja Now in GMA 7

2010-01-05T20:01:00.006+08:00

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?

Merry Christmas Message

2009-12-25T23:14:00.005+08:00

Last year, I've posted a Naruto Christmas picture. This year, it's Lucky Star's turn to show this Christmas pic. All together now!

Merry Christmas to you all!

P.S: According to Wikipedia, Is it true that Lucky Star will air on TV 5?

Nodame Cantabile

2009-12-24T11:50:00.000+08:00

Nodame Cantabile #01 Japanese manga cover

I've already finished my final college exams in this semester (whew!). By the way, what I'm currently reading since around three weeks ago is Nodame Cantabile. Nodame Cantabile is a manga created by Tomoko Ninomiya. It was first appeared in the magazine Kiss from 2001 and currently ongoing. The manga tells about two aspiring musicians who went both into same music university.

Shinichi Chiaki, born into a musical clan is a well-organized, popular and a top student at Momogaoka College Music. He learns how to play music using piano or violin and he can be a good cook too. He dreams is to go to Europe and be a conductor ever since he was young and met Sebastiano Viera in Europe. Unfortunately, Chiaki is stuck to Japan because of his childhood trauma. On the other hand, Megumi Noda or known as Nodame is the opposite of Chiaki. She is an eccentric and a-not-so-ordinary girl who is a slob, has a messy room, and disorganized. But Nodame is a pianist and rather play in ear (or in other words, she plays music based on what kind of music she hears or inventing her own composition depending on her mood.). She doesn't have a goal at first until she met Chiaki in the apartment. Later on, Nodame always follow Chiaki then claiming him as her husband.

It all started out when Chiaki is pressured to move to conducting class from his piano class thanks to his adviser especially the mean teacher who hit Chiaki whenever there's a mistake. Another problem is, he has a phobia on flying which he wouldn't be able to go to Europe. Until he met Nodame, the two both into piano class and starts their wacky relationship.

Anyone who appreciate classical music like Beethoven or Mozart could really have an advantage for liking this manga. If not, at least you'll later trying to like classical music by seeing Nodame's quirks to Chiaki and her few weird words she says like "Mukyaa!" or "Gyabooo!". And in reality, it's a heartwarming to see Chiaki and Nodame struggle hard to accomplish their own goal and later having a good relationship. Also, we have to mention other characters who some of them have a hilarious motivation or expression like the violinist, fellow student Ryutarou Mine, silent oboe-player Yasunori Kuroki and the infamous pervert-conductor Franz von Stressemann.

Anyway, the manga version has twenty three volumes and inside contains 136 chapters, plus two additional one-shot chapters featuring Nodame and Chiaki's childhood. The art style is clean but what is disappointing is that you can't imagine what can you hear music mentioned in the manga (unless if you actually listen to them by searching in Youtube or buy music CD's containing classical orchestras). The plot isn't complicated and actually pretty awesome. This is also a worth reading because there is also anime and live action version of it. The live action of Nodame Cantabile was featured in GMA 7 around almost half a year ago but they didn't finish it which is too sad for Filipino viewers who like to follow the next episodes. Animax Asia once aired the anime version but it's unknown when it will be air in local TV and what channel will be on air (on TV 5? GMA? C'mon it's a short episode!).

Overall, Nodame Cantabile is a great manga, anime and live-action. I like Nodame's humor especially when she tries to hang out with Chiaki like sneaking to his apartment. Plus, I also began to like classical music. It doesn't matter whether you're good at any musical instrument or not.The important thing is to listen what kind of music every character plays.

Oh yeah, I forgot. Merry Christmas to all!

Anak TV Seal Awards 2009

2009-12-13T21:15:00.001+08:00

Here are the winners of the Anak TV Seal Awards 2009 held at the Soka Gakkai Auditorium in Quezon City:

Most Admired Male TV Personalities

Zaijan Jaranilla
Ryan Agoncillo
Gerald Anderson
Kim Atienza
Julius Babao

John Lloyd Cruz
Mike Enriquez
Ted Failon
Edu Manzano
Cesar Montano
Piolo Pascual
Vic Sotto
Gary Valenciano

Most Admired Female TV Personalities

Kris Aquino
Kim Chiu
Sharon Cuneta
Anne Curtis
Karen Davila
Sarah Geronimo
Toni Gonzaga
Angel Locsin
Maja Salvador
Korina Sanchez
Jessica Soho
Mel Tiangco
Vilma Santos

Most Well-Liked TV Programs

ABS-CBN 2
Kabuhayang Swak na Swak
Matanglawin
May Bukas Pa
Pilipinas, GKNB?
Rated K
Salamat Dok!
Sineskwela
Wonder Mom

STUDIO 23
Gourmet Everyday
Y Speak

GMA-7
Art Angel
Batang Bibbo
Happy Land
Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho
Kay Susan Tayo
Lovely Day
Wish Ko Lang

QTV 11
Ang Pinaka
Balitanghali
Day-Off
Kids on Q

NBN
Abante Pilipinas
Biz News
Code Red
Damayan
Equilibrium
Heart to Heart
Komentaryo
Money Matters
Negosyo, Atbp.
Neighbors
Oras ng Himala
Power To Unite
Republic Service
The Young Once

IBC
Asin at Ilaw
Buhay Pinoy
Gabay at Aksyon

NET 25
Convergence
Homepage
In Good Shape
I-News
Landmarks
Moments
Spoon
Tomorrow Today

UNTV
Bread n’ Butter
Doc on TV
Good Morning Kuya
Istorya
Kaagapay
Munting Pangarap
Serbisyo Publiko
Sports 37

source: Mukamo Philippines

Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa (2009)

2009-11-29T13:39:00.010+08:00

After Tutubi Patrol then BIDA, there goes Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa (Super Inggo and the Super Troop) which it airs this 2009 in ABS-CBN. Apparently, this show is the first-animated series in ABS-CBN and at the same time the station developed it's animation studio called ABS-CBN Animation Department lead by the business unit Guia Jose. But is this show can be received well to the viewers?

Story:
Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa is loosely based on 2006's live-action series Super Inggo. I admit I never seen the live-action series because I had much time watching on GMA 7 or to school studies (but I'm not a Kapuso, neither a Kapamilya) but it doesn't matter anyway. The show features a young 10-year old boy named Budong (voiced and acted by Makisig Morales) who lives with his adopted mother named Pacita in a poor yet happy home. Budong dreams that he wanted to become a superhero, until he realize that he already has superpowers and becomes Super Inggo. As he grew up in the streets, he has also a best friend and sidekick named Jomar (voiced and acted by Jairus Aquino). Together, they run in adventures, meet other allies, discover evil plans from the Prince of Darkness and his company, and the truth about themselves. But would you believe that Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa adds new characters that isn't present in the live-action series?

Music:
Well, the show's music used it's opening theme from the live-action series itself which sung by Rocksteddy. But then again, it wasn't bad although I was thinking that the staff cheapened it's music for a bit.

Animation:
Animation in the Philippines rise in a smooth phase because of the improvement of computer technology and animation program tools. Many talented animators in the Philippines have worked in other countries and some of them are present for the collaborated project. Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa used 2D flash animation like what Studio 23's Barkada Trip did. Somehow, the animation style is based on the characters from the original series (in fact, the Super Inggo in the animated series made well-done from the live-action) plus the Pinoy anime-style. What's Pinoy anime? Pinoy anime is a term where the animation in the Philippines is mixed with Japanese animation techniques (e.g. puppy dog eyes and wacky expressions). Not only in the Philippines got that style but also in other countries like Korea, China and even United States in a similar way. The show made Pinoy elements friendly for young and adult viewers for enjoyment. And hey, there's even few cameo appearances from ABS-CBN like Angel Locsin, Vhong Navarro, Sam Milby, and even host in Matanglawin Kuya Kim as caricatures. Now how's that?

Overall:
Super Inggo at Ang Super Tropa will be one of the important contributions in Philippine animation. As of now, the staff and ABS-CBN are planning to air the series in two seasons and every season has 13-episodes each. If the show was well-received by many viewers there's a possibility will produce another few episodes.The animation is very fine and it's really good to watch for every Pinoy kids and kids-at-heart. You can watch Super Inggo at Ang Super Tropa every Sundays 10:30 A.M in ABS-CBN.

Tadhana (1970's)

2009-11-20T19:35:00.003+08:00

Undercover history

Filipino cartoonist Nonoy Marcelo's Tadhana (Destiny) is possibly the first-ever full-length animated feature made in the Philippines. Based on a series of volumes on Philippine history officially written by Ferdinand Marcos (unofficially written by a whole team of historians), and produced by his eldest daughter, Imee, the film was broadcast on September 21, 1978--the sixth anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. It was supposed to be replayed and even have a commercial theater release, but for reasons never made clear that broadcast was it; it was never seen again. Today, no known print or negative is left, only a video copy recorded off that broadcast by Mr. Teddy Co, who lent his copy to Mowelfund for their French-Filipino Animation Festival.

Some sixty artists worked for three months on the project--not many and not long compared to what goes into a standard Disney feature animation (hundreds of artists working for years), but almost unheard of in the Philippines, where animation is a cottage industry--literally a one-man, part-time job. The animation is crude, though compared to what's been done previously and even recently--Geirry Garrcia's Adarna comes to mind--the film stands up surprisingly well. Garrcia's film may have smoother motion (just barely) but Tadhana has a distinct, even unique, sensibility (Adarna's is of the simpering Disney kind).

Marcelo conceived of the film as a series of vignettes, often experimental, sometimes surreal. It has to be--a consistently realist style would have been too expensive. Marcelo turns this idiosyncrasy into an advantage: this is probably the funniest, least stuffy lesson on Philippine history ever given. When Magellan's galleons sail across the Pacific they sway right and left like fat-bellied matrons (to the tune of the Star Wars theme); when Lapu-Lapu lops off Magellan's head it drops to the sands and sings (in Yoyoy Villame's voice): "Mother, mother I am sick; call da doctor very quick." Marcelo's film is less an account of history than it is a gleefully, unashamedly jaundiced interpretation of it--sixty minutes of editorial cartoons, improvising brilliantly.

Imee insists that while it's not a literally faithful adaptation of her father's books, it's faithful to their themes. I've dipped into the books enough to remember that Marcos recognizes (or rather, his historians recognize) the centuries of repression inflicted by the Catholic Church and Spain. But if Tadhana takes its cue from the books in targeting church and state, its humor is uniquely Marcelo's. His near-Swiftian wit turns microcosmos into macrocosmos (as in his comic strip Ikabod, where a mouse and friends represent Philippine society), and compels him to bite the hand that feeds him (Marcos, as skewered in Ikabod, Tisoy, and others).

One highlight is the Blood Pact, traditionally depicted by Filipino artists as a solemn, historically momentous ment. In Tadhana the pact is signed during the opening cocktails of the Sandugo (One Blood) Art Exhibit; boiling blood is served as punch while a manananggal (a woman's severed upper half, flapping about on a pair of batwings) and a tikbalang (a half-man, half-horse--drawn, I think, by cartoonist Edd Aragon) get down to some funky disco music. Rajah Soliman, riding a water buffalo that roars like a Harley Davidson, crashes the party and demands to know why he wasn't invited; when he peers at the exhibited paintings--examples of Western abstract and postmodern art--his brain reels and undergoes a hallucinogenic head trip.

Probably the best part of the film--my favorite, anyway--is the relationship sketched between parish priest and native, animated to the tune of Freddie Aguilar's mournful Anak (Child). The choice is hilariously ironic; Aguilar sings of an ungrateful child and his sacrificing parents while onscreen it's the priest--the native child's spiritual and biological father--who is boorish, abusive, greedy, ungrateful. The child confronts his mother, a veiled babaylan (sorceress) and the priest's mistress; she has wept so much from grief that she has to wring her veil dry. Cut to a close-up of the child's face--now that of a young man--as tears stream down his own cheeks. Aguilar's melody wails on, but suddenly satire is transmuted into something potent and unsaid, something not so very different from genuine tragedy...

The final twenty minutes chronicles an epic war between native and conquistador, an overambitious, overextended sequence stuffed to brimming with all kinds of animation techniques, to the tune of Procol Harum's violent Conquistador. Panoramic drawings of native warriors and Spanish soldiers poised to attack; godlike overhead shots of armies surging like tides; images scratched into the film print itself, depicting elemental chaos...

Marcelo tempers his anti-Western stance with a remarkably clear-eyed view of the pre-Hispanic Filipino; he knows not all blame can be laid at the feet of foreign devils. The datu (chieftain) is an incoherent drunk who considers everything useless and shares his counsel with a jar of rice liquor; his manservant is a craven backbiter constantly aware of the fact that if the datu dies, he will be buried with him. Both are hardly the heroic warriors of Filipino history books; rather, they're the same funny characters that spill out the margins of Marcelo's newspaper strips: as flawed, vainglorious, deluded--as recognizably human, in short--as you or me.

As mentioned before, Tadhana was broadcast once, then apparently never shown again. Why? Did the Church, on seeing the anti-clerical bias, move to have all prints and video copies destroyed? Did Marcos, watching as the natives cried Makialam!" (roughly, "Join us!") against their oppressors, feel uncomfortable enough to want to suppress it? We may never know...

Another intriguing question: if the series had continued, how would Marcelo have handled recent history--particularly the Marcos years, up to his declaration of martial law? Would he have tried smuggling anti-Marcos criticism under the censors' noses, as in his later cartoons? Again we may never know, and perhaps Marcelo himself intended it that way, stopping far enough in the past while it's still safe.

Anyway--what we have, here and now, is a video copy of the remote past, brought to glorious, comic life by one of our greatest satirist. Is the film still relevant? More then ever, I think, what with parish priests still molesting parishioners, wealthy patriarchs still abusing laborers, and the all-mighty West still oppressing us all ("War on Terrorism" anyone?). The film ends with the glowing circular logo of Marcos' Bagong Lipunan (New Society)--symbol of Marcelo's patron without whom the film would never have been made, the same time it's a symbol of the twenty-year dictatorship he would end up fighting through his comics. The irony, I hope, isn't lost on us.

from: http://criticafterdark.blogspot.com/2009/08/nonoy-marcelo-for-national-artist.html

excerpt from: http://www.bigozine2.com/theshop/books/NVcritic.html

Two Reasons Why I'm Checking Out

2009-11-03T11:51:00.004+08:00

Ever since we encounter few previous typhoons, I become busy in college work and almost have no time to do any blog posts here (in fact, I still never finish my Ranma 1/2 post). I apologize. But there are few things why I'm looking out these days:

1.) Combatron Lost Scans
That's right, one of the most popular Funny Komik's character Combatron returns thanks to this website at http://projectcombatron.blogspot.com/ . Whoever made that blog site must be really cool trying old fans and even new generations like me to remember Combatron. Right now, they're still trying to find and collect other missing issues. Not to worry, the staff posts comic scans weekly so you can still be updated.

2.) Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa
I've already seen the "Coming Soon" trailer of Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa. In fact the staff of this cartoon prepared many years for this exciting show. They might be air this month or December on weekday mornings. Check out more in http://superinggo-animation.blogspot.com/

I still finding fresh news about Philippine comics and animations while I keep busy with other personal things. :)

Typhoon Ondoy: A Dreadful, Stormy Weekend Experience

2009-09-29T11:23:00.004+08:00

Sorry for delaying for not finishing my previous post everyone but I have to express something matter. Last Saturday, a typhoon Ondoy had just arrived in the Philippines with terrible non-stop rain fall and strong winds. Many people including me were stranded because of the flash flood came (I went to college in that day). I didn't expect that would be happen especially I forgot to bring cellphone and jacket in case it's raining. I'm not alone because I have also classmates who were stranded and then we stayed in the shopping mall in Cainta along with other people we don't know but have the same situation. We ate only bread with little water and waited for many hours to let rain stopped. I also experience homesickness and anxiety especially about my parents and my brothers, but I had no choice but to pray to God, wait for the rain and the news.

The next day, heavy traffic is a problem because flood is still heavy. We have no choice but to cross flood as soon as possible. Cainta is affected in flood but worse is in NCR especially Marikina. That city was close to river itself and many villages and subdivisions are really affected. I can't describe how Marikina was devastated with flood and mud. Thousands of houses there reached flood from first up to second floor, appliances and vehicles are washed with mud-water, and the worse part is many areas are almost impossible to cross. Even many people are trying to go on their homes to see their relatives and their things all right.

The next day, news already arrived and reported how much damage that typhoon Ondoy made. Also in the same day, I reached home in case the flood will increase it's level. My parents are very worried about my condition. In every news, seen a huge flood that swallowed many houses and streets especially near in rivers. Thousands of families - rich or poor lost their homes and hundreds of people killed because of the onslaught. At first, I can't believe that we expected that kind of typhoon. I heard the news that the Philippines expected a strongest typhoon again in the last four decades especially if you mention about "climate change". In the end, we realized it's a part of Mother Nature's doing. Many organizations and governments still helping people who are victims of the typhoon, while many residents cleaning and picking up things that can be use.

In this day, typhoon Ondoy left the Philippines and now moved up to Vietnam. In the meantime, we cannot celebrate ourselves because of the trauma and stress we experience. On the other hand, PAG-ASA announced that there's going to be a new typhoon that will hit in our country and still observing that whether it will hit again especially if it crosses to NCR. Be safe everyone and don't forget to pray to God.

Ranma 1/2

2009-09-23T10:29:00.004+08:00

Ranma 1/2 Volume 1 © Viz Media

One of the most popular anime in the early 90's and it's still love by many fans. I mean to say it's Ranma 1/2. It was created by Rumiko Takahashi, who is also known for her InuYasha series and currently one of the richest mangaka in Japan . The manga was published in Shokagukan's Shonen Sunday from year 1987 to 1996 in 38 volumes (although in US published 36 volumes). According to Rumiko in an interview, she wanted to make a story that aimed for younger children but as a twist her creation was targeted by many teenage boys and girls.

The story revolves a teenage boy named Ranma Saotome who was trained martial arts since childhood under his father, Genma. Until one day (in early few chapters and episodes, that is), while in the middle of training Ranma and Genma fall into cursed springs in Jusenkyo which located in Qinghai, China. When splashed in cold water, Ranma turns into a girl while his father turns into a panda. The only way to reverse their form is to douse hot water on them, but unfortunately it lasts temporarily. Post soon.

Mojacko (Chu-Chu-Chu!)

2009-09-14T12:16:00.005+08:00

The orange, fluffy alien was another popular anime character in the Philippines. Mojacko was manga back in 90's in Bokura magazine then followed as an anime in year 1995 to 1997. Created by Doraemon manga-ka Fujiko Fujio, Mojacko is an alien from planet Moja-Moja who along with his robot assistant Donmo went to planet Earth due to spaceship crash. The Japanese title is called Chu-Chu-Chu! and also based on it's opening song.

In early episodes,Mojacko met an elementary student named Sorao Amana and stayed to his place until their spaceship is fixed. The anime series was perhaps divided by two seasons with additional characters. In almost half of the season (that is from episode 1 to 30) Mojacko and his friends met Sorao's friend Miki who later involve the secret that there are aliens in earth and Wutan, Surao's enemy and a bully (I think Wutan is very similar to Takeshi/Damulag from Doraemon). They also met Mojacko's siblings who followed them in search of their brother. Mojari, is a pink alien ball with pigtails while Mojaro a small, green and youngest sibling who has an ability to manipulate supersonic waves when crying or being disturbed from his sleep. In another season, Momonja - a ninja-like alien ball follows them in order to get the "greatest treasure in the universe" and then later stays at Wutan's place. As a sci-fi genre, Mojacko and his friends travel different planets up to another universe for their adventures and excitement plus their friendship.

I'd say Mojacko was one of the high-rated anime series in the Philippines since it started aired locally around 1998 or 1999 every weekday afternoons. The show was featured in GMA commercial with Doraemon as anime-crossover lineup entitled "We Are Family". Mojacko merhandises were popular back then like plushies (as seen on this picture here). In Youtube, you can also see the opening song here in Japanese plus few old episodes dubbed in Tagalog. For now, Mojacko seems to be on the old cabinet in GMA ever since they wouldn't decided not to air it anymore until further notice.

Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl

2009-08-27T17:47:00.010+08:00

Yawara! A Fashonable Judo Girl is Naoki Urasawa's first manga series back in 1986 to 1993 before other of his famous manga series in America like Monsters and 20th-Century Boys. It became a success franchise because Yawara! was somewhat related to real-life judo sports. Real life sports? Back in year 1992, which I tell you about the Barcelona Olympics where female players in judo are honored to participate in that flourish event. One of the female competitors of Japan, 16-year old Ryoko Tamura took the place being the world champion in Women's Judo. Since that time, Ryoko was given a nickname "Yawara-chan" to many people in Japan and still as popular as ever.

In the other hand, Yawara! was of course Naoki Urasawa's manga series which ran in 29 volumes in manga and 124-episodes (including special episodes) in anime version. Yawara! tells about a protagonist high-school girl named Yawara Inokuma who dreams to go with friends, shopping and getting her dream boyfriend. Unfortunately for her, she forced to train judo since childhood under her grandfather Jigorou Inokuma. Jigorou's dream was to make her granddaughter become a champion in Barcelona Olympics. Because of Yawara's less interest in judo, Jigorou found a perfect rival for her - a spoiled, rich lady named Sayaka Honami. When Yawara defeat Sayaka in few sweats, Sayaka decided to train judo so she could beat Yawara in a championship. Meanwhile, a sports reporter named Kosaku Matsuda found Yawara's talent in judo and convince her to be a champion.

It doesn't matter if you're not into judo but in fact there are heartwarming sensation coming through in many episodes - from comedy to romance. There are funny moments (especially when it comes to Jigorou's being over-protective to Yawara) that present. At first, we may think Jigorou is a pain a butt but no. We see him as a challenge for Yawara. His love in judo and food are always on his mind...of course his care of his granddaughter is the most. He always believe that Yawara will embrace her talent and will work hard for honor in Japan. At every end of episodes, who would love his appearances in countdown for Barcelona Olympics? Aside from Jigorou, we could see Sayaka Honami as another obstacle. Sayaka was defeated by Yawara eventhough she was trained for few weeks. In few episodes, we can tell that Sayaka's weakness for her, is an embarrassment for getting a false tooth. Later, she hired a handsome coach named Shinosuke Kazamatsuri. For Mr. Kazamatsuri, he uses his handsome looks to attract many girls around but when it comes to Yawara he skip his heart and turning to be his love interest. Sayaka already found Kazamatsuri's behavior to Yawara and decided to become rivals in love also. On the other hand, Kosaku is not only just interested in Yawara's dream, he also protects her even though he's a clumsy and goofy reporter. I can't tell much about spoilers...better watch what's next, thou.

The anime series was featured in 1989, which the same year Ranma 1/2 ran it's animated series. Not only it's anime version, Yawara! was also adapted into live-action as evidence in this Amazon.com.jp here. Both of the franchises also became a popular culture like, I said before Ryoko Tani as "Yawara-chan". With it's hip beat and lovely music, judo action, and a good premise Yawara is sure really enjoying to watch.

If you're in the Philippines, you can watch Yawara! on QTV channel 11 weekdays at 3:00 PM.

Up

2009-08-05T19:12:00.006+08:00

I've seen the international trailer of Pixar's latest collaboration move, Up in TV5 earlier. It will soon appear in theaters. For more info about the movie visit the website at http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/up/

Update: Up will be feature in theaters in August 19.

Anime and Cartoons on ABS-CBN

2009-08-03T12:50:00.004+08:00

Check out the ABS-CBN's new cartoon and anime shows. Note: Their line-up schedules may change.

Anime

Ang Pangarap ni Cosette: Les Miserables / Les Miserables: Shojo Cosette

Blue Dragon

Naruto (season 4)
- rewind after season 3

Cartoon

Wolverine and the X-Men

Teenage Shows Before Adik Sa'Yo

2009-08-01T11:52:00.006+08:00

Image borrowed form gmaseven.blogspot.com

I'm not sure if I'm mistaken that Adik Sa'Yo is a teenage show despite that the main characters are adults now. Okay, okay I admit I never focus on this show because it airs every weeknights on GMA as a part of Telebabad. It reminds me that Adik Sa'Yo can be somehow considered a teenage show because there is romance, conflicts and soulmates. Before that show, there are many shows for youth were aired in (mostly) in GMA or ABS-CBN and scheduled during afternoon of a certain day. For now, it seems that youth-oriented shows will still be recognized although not much as strong as before.

Anyway, here are some list of youth-oriented shows which aired in GMA and ABS-CBN start from 90's. Lists referenced from Wikipedia.

GMA Network

Growing Up (Produced by Viva Television, 1997-1998, re-aired 2000-2001)
- it was re-aired during the 50th anniversary of GMA.

T.G.I.S and T.G.I.F. (Produced by Viva Television, 1995-1999, re-aired 2000-2001)
- after the popularity of Grown Up, T.G.I.S (Thank God It's Saturday) might be considered as a spin-off. It was aired every Saturday afternoons. The show turned into T.G.I.F. because it moved to Fridays. T.G.I.S was re-aired on GMA as a part of 50th anniversary of GMA.

Campus Romance (1997-1999)

Click (2001-2005)
-replaced T.G.I.F.

Joyride (2004-2005)
- aired every weekday afternoons before Anime Swak Pack.

Love to Love (2002-2006)

Boys Next Door (2007-2008)

StarStruck (2003-2007, returns in 2009)
- sometime around this year, StarStruck will return this year for new 5th season.

ABS-CBN

Ang TV (1992-1996; reaired 2007)
- can be considered one of the most popular youth-oriented show during early 90's. The show made recognized some popular artists like Jolina Magdangal and Paolo Contis, and spawn their own movie sitcom. Ang TV 2 was aired around 2001 after the success of first season. Ang TV was also the inspiration for airing Goin' Bulilit.

Berks (2001-2004)

Tabing Ilog (1999-2003)

F.L.A.M.E.S. (early 90's?)
- it was based on a game and debut into a teenage show. It was aired in the afternoons.

Gimik (1996-1999)
- it made into a movie entitled Gimik: the Reunion. Not to be mistaken in G-mik which was another show aired in year 1999 to 2002.

K2BU (2002)
-probably one of the shows where Bea Alonzo started in showbiz career.

Buttercup (2003-2004)

Let's Go (2006-2007)

Gokada Go! (2007)
- sequel of Let's Go

Star Magic Presents series (2006-2008)

Astro Boy is Back!

2009-07-22T19:06:00.008+08:00

Astroboy is one of the most recognized anime and manga characters in Japanese entertainment history. It was created by the "God of Manga and Anime" Ozamu Tezuka and the franchise will finally turn into 3D movie this year. Check out the image below.

Image from Imagi Animation Studios

According to Wikipedia, the 3D movie will be release in US in October this year. Not really sure when will come out in the Philippines, thou. If you aren't familiar with Astro Boy, he is a robot who was created by the head of Ministry of Science, who however became the villain Doctor Tenma in the image of his departed son, Tobio. When Doctor Tenma realize that he could not care Astro Boy because of inability to grow up and express emotions, he sold the robot. Few years later, Doctor Elephant is the one who took care Astro Boy and became his legal guardian. To his surprise, the doctor find out Astroboy can fight evil robots and save humanity with his cyber weapons.

Well, can't say much more about the series but Astro Boy successfully spawn (aside from many volumes of manga) three anime series - one in 1960's, 1980's and the latest 2003 series which commemorate Astro Boy's birthday in Japan in the same year. I'm glad when QTV 11 finally air Astro Boy 2003 series since last week and in addition, finally dubbed in English. It airs every weekday mornings but I forgot what time. I somehow curious about the English dub version of some anime shows air on local TV. It's been long years that I watch the show again and I know it was aired in ABS-CBN few years ago in Tagalog-dub.

Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

2009-07-14T18:26:00.005+08:00

Believe it or not, it finally happened! The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya officially air in the Philippines on TV 5 this week. Many teens especially the anime fans are waiting this moment just to see the show air locally. Starting this week, Haruhi and the rest of her SOS Brigade members let us watch them every 6:00 P.M. weekdays, replacing Code Geass R2.

Before Haruhu Suzumiya air on TV 5, it was known to be one of the most-popular anime shows since it released in 2006 because of it's unique storyline about a (weird) high school girl who believes in espers and extraterrestrial life. The show also popular because of their own official dancing song and video "Hare, Hare Yukai!". The song was performed from anime conventions up to prisoners in Cebu, Philippines.

I think TV 5 really give a chance to their viewers a request for airing this anime. I really agree to it's station despite they succesfully gain high ratings mostly from anime shows. What a good timing I mean! TV 5 originally intended to air Haruhi Suzumiya last year, and then last month but according to this anime blog here, the Filipino-dubbers of Haruhi Suzumiya work hard just progress the translating and dubbing the show. Currently, they finished 3 episodes but still we need to expect it might go back to episode one like what happened to Toradora! and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (another anime aired in TV 5).

I would like to say "Kudos to TV 5!" for granting many anime viewer's request for airing Haruhi Suzumiya! Catch Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya weeknights at 6:00 PM and Saturdays as replay at 1:00 PM on TV 5.

Watch Old Tagalog-Dubbed Anime

2009-07-12T15:20:00.004+08:00

Cyborg Kuro-Chan Tagalog

Preview from Episode 1

Crayon Shin-Chan Episodes Titles

Magpapa-deliver Kami ng Pizza Pie

Manonood Kami ng Sine

Ang Hamster ni Boyet

Ang regalo Kay Ma'am Pilar sa Birthday Niya

you can watch out other Tagalog-dubbed Crayon Shin-Chan episodes and Sailormoon episodes on this Youtube user here.

Mojacko Episodes

Palos sa Mangkok Part 1

Palos sa Mangkok Part 2

Batong Cosmo Part 1

Batong Cosmo Part 2

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs!

2009-07-06T19:20:00.008+08:00

The third installment of Dreamwork's Ice Age series came out in theaters since last week. In Dawn of the Dinosaurs, our main characters journey to the new land where dinosaurs rule. Sid, Manny and Diego and the rest of their fellow pals are trying to discover their comfy life while in the middle of raging, huge dinosaurs. And what's this I heard, Scrat - the lovable saber-toothed squirrel met his female counterpart...and they both got a short film together!

Catch Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs in theaters now!

Flash Animation

2009-07-03T19:21:00.006+08:00

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.

Some Eduactional Shows from The Philippines

2009-06-23T16:40:00.005+08:00

Some random updates from our local TV's and it's about education.

Jollitown Returns for Season Two!

The friends from Jollitown are back for a brand new season. Jollibee and the rest of his friends are return to teach kids good values and education for young children. The second season of Jollitown are back since last month by popular demand. After a successful airing during the Jollibee's 30th anniversary, we'll expect a lot of fun, places and of course friends.

ETV Celebrates 15-th Anniversary!

Happy birthday, E-TV. For 15 years for serving children for teaching lessons through TV serve more. Actually, since this month E-TV celebrate a commemoration for staff behind E-TV including the composer of Sineskwela theme Ryan Cayabyab. You can check him out sometime in his appearance on Studio 23 every 7:30 AM for the anniversary message.

The Nutshack

2009-06-23T15:41:00.004+08:00

I'm used to watch few episodes of cartoons which have physical and mature humor like The Simpsons and Family Guy, but what about this one? If you didn't know, The Nutshack is right in front of you. The show is much different because it contains some Filipino themes. Back in 2007, Monster MYX (aka MYX channel from United States) had decided to make an animated series made by Filipinos and made stories that has stuff influenced from their beloved country. Then at the same year, the pilot episode was sucessfully aired on MYX and for those people who wanted to see the show, in Youtube.

It's really amazing to see much of it's characters that are Filipino and of course life being from urban U.S. The show tells about two cousin teenagers who met in United States and share their similar wackiest scrapes in a city of San Francisco - the Tenderloin. Jack, a fat yet humble boy was raised in Manila, while Jack the tough punk raised in the streets in San Francisco. When the two cousins met together, they meet other characters and make craziest doings as the Nutshacks.

The flash animation of the Nutshack series really would feel a cool to watch especially when you hear the dubbings by Filipinos. One of the voice actors I recognized was Rex Navarette, who made the voice of Tito Dick ( Jack and Phil's cool uncle from San Francisco). I seen kuya Rex on his TV performances like MTV's Rex in the City and he's really a good comedian. The storyline seems to be fine but there are some themes that are purely mature. The most memorable storyline they got was the skit cameo appearance of some popular stars in the Philippines like Willie Revillame and Manny Pacquiao. The show also got box-sets of DVD's which are uncut and uncnesored in 2008 and featured in a ComicCon in US as promotion. But since the Nutshack was aired in United States, there is no chance for Filipinos to watch them locally even getting a MYX Philippines cable. I think it's because of MTRCB that some people talking about. Like any other shows in Adult Swim, Nutshack airs weekly at 10:00 PM and only adults can watch. If you're in the Philippines and want to watch the show like I did, there are few episodes (including "behind the scenes") were uploaded to Youtube. Just search the words "the nutshack" and you'll get them. Just make sure you're not below 16 to watch The Nutshack.

For more info, merchandises and updates visit The Nutshack's official website here.

Back to School!

2009-06-01T19:57:00.006+08:00

Vacay's over and start of school again this year. It's sad to say that your happy moments while school is closed is not permanent. You'll never have to worry feeling blue 'cause when you're in school you'll gonna meet your old classmates, friends and teachers to knack funny conversations. Is your school materials and pack lunch ready? How are you feeling when you're back into school again...or even being a transfer student who's in new school? Do bullies changed their hearts after they realize they did something bad to you? How about your teachers? There are lot of questions I am suppose to ask and wait, this day is the start of school!

In the other side of the story, well sad to say I'm going to take a break on making entries in this blog and do the college work. Actually, I returned on a school for this year since two weeks ago and not this day. The good news is I'm going to return next few weeks after I finish the first exam. While this month, in it's remaining days I still keep up to watch few cartoons and make research about animation especially in the Philippines whenever I have time.

P.S: Don't forget to bring your own umbrella or raincoat cause June is the start of rainy season.

What is the First Philippine Animated Cartoon?

2009-05-19T18:23:00.004+08:00

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)

2009-05-18T19:21:00.008+08:00

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

2009-05-10T13:39:00.014+08:00

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

2009-05-09T17:39:00.008+08:00

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

2009-05-02T14:12:00.002+08:00

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

2009-05-01T14:30:00.004+08:00

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.

Philippine Animation Magazine - From Anima Dreams Inc.

2009-04-19T10:26:00.004+08:00

From Anima Dreams Inc. website:
http://www.animadreams-online.com/

AnimaDreams, Inc. believes in the creativity of the Filipino artists. The vision is for the Philippine animation industry to be recognized as content providers for local, Asia Pacific and European markets. The company seeks to use its resources to showcase locally produced animated original content to illustrate Philippine animation capability. It shall be a vehicle for opportunities to make public the quality of Philippine animators and demonstrate their full potential. It believes that to maintain and sustain the quality of Philippine animation, there should be a continuous supply of world class artists and animators.

The Philippine Animation Magazine produced and published by AnimaDreams is a pet project. This is a quarterly magazine with stories about Filipino animators, game developers and animation training. Every issue shall feature a local content or a local talent and an animation studio or an animation school. It will tackle both trends in the markets and events/happening in Asia and the world on animation. It will also talk about the latest technology. It will be an avenue for artists/animators to showcase their ideas, character designs and their thoughts on Philippine animation.

Its goal is to inspire, motivate and encourage local artists to create something of their own while showing the world the full potential of Filipino animators.

This Philippine Animation Magazine shall be an advertisement of Filipino creativity to be brought in Asia and in Europe.

We believe and would like to pursue a dream: to let it be known that Filipinos are capable of creating and developing animation content from script to screen.

Good news for everyone who wants to tackle more about Philippine animation. The Philippine Animation Magazine was launch last March 26 this year at Central Plaza Eastwood City (Whoa, almost two or three weeks passed I think.). The magazine features about Philippine animation as well as the staff behind the animation. It also features news and programs about the latest animation trends for everyone.

Check out the official website of Anima Dreams Inc. (the publisher who created the Philippine Animation Magazine) located at the top of this entry especially their magazine cover. According to their site, the magazine release four issues every year. The entries contain the first issue is available to check out for those who never went to the event last March 26th. I never grab a copy because I got final exams to loomed but that's another story. I even asked a question to their site where will buy next issues. Philippine Animation Magazine surely spread the information to many Filipino people as well as from other countries.

Wonder Pets

2009-04-17T12:33:00.006+08:00

Before I get through this entry, I would like to apologize for being absent for previous few weeks because I'm finishing my final exam in college I studied. Our final exam seemed to be hard but oh well, starting next week I'm going to take a break from school studies for a while.

I couldn't help watching this show from Nick Jr. Wonder Pets is another television show which premiered in 2006 in Nickelodeon cable network then premiered last year on TV5 in the Philippines. The show features three (cute) pets from a small elementary school who saves different animals every episode. Linny the Guinea Pig, the leader of Wonder Pets and she's also the most intelligent of the group, Tuck the Turtle, a sweet male turtle fellow and also emphatetic of the group (he loves to put their saved animals for company), and Ming-Ming the Duckling who is overconfident and she speaks stutterly.

The animation Wonder Pets used "photo-puppetry" which contained photographed animals and manipulate them to be animated. Scenes also show drawn objects which the program may be considered having mixed media format. The best of that show aside from being educational, is their musical and orchestral theme. Dialogues and storylines are actually followed with mix of musical. It is goes something like this:

-Children says goodbye to Linny, Tuck and Ming-Ming before they go home
- Then a tin can telephone ring and the pets answer it.
-The three heroes dress their capes and hats to be Wonder Pets then they assemble their vehicle called "Flyboat".
- Usually there is an obstacle where Wonder Pets need to solve before they leave the school.
-They rush of to school while they sing then goes to a place where they will rescue an animal.
-At that location, the Wonder Pets tried few attempts on how to rescue until they remembered the solution like they did before leaving school.
-When an animal is saved, a relative (usually a parent) pops up somewhere to thank Wonder Pets for rescuing his/her baby.
-As a reward, the Wonder Pets celebrate by eating celery sticks (sometimes adds it with flavor). In some episodes, the Wonder Pets are rewarded from the animals they met.
- They returned to the school. The Flyboat disassembled itself while the Wonder Pets returned to their cages. Then, before an episode ends, Linny takes a bite of celery and winks in front of the camera.

What I like the show are their songs especially when TV5 decided to dub it into Tagalog. It is very somewhat similar for singing opening theme songs from Bananas and Pajamas or Batibot. Here are the catchy lyrics from Tagalog-dubbed Wonder Pets:

Si Linny, Tuck, at si Ming Ming
Ang Wonder Pets tutulong sa inyo
Anong kailangan? Magtulungan!
Anong kailangan? MAGTULUNGAN!

Wonder Pets, Wonder Pets
Ngayon ay masaya
Hindi malalaki at hindi malalakas
Pero pag nagtulungan lahat nalulutas
GO WONDER PETS! Yehey!

Catch Wonder Pets on TV5 Mondays to Wednesdays every early mornings.

Tweenage Dora the Explorer (aka Dora the Streetwalker)

2009-03-22T03:28:00.009+08:00

The original Dora

She speaks both Spanish and English, has a best friend monkey, a bag and a map on her side and also loves adventures. Yup, she's Dora from Dora the Explorer one of the current Nick Jr.'s show. But what if the creators of the show and Nickelodeon decided to make Dora as a teenager? We bet we're gonna be surprised if we found out the image you see below:

Dora in her tweenage makeover

If you have a Nickelodeon network on your cables or free-TV's out there and watched many episodes of Dora the Explorer, you'll get mixed reactions about that picture. According to the Wikipedia article about the show especially to the article from Google here, Mattel and Nickelodeon announced that Dora will have a tweenage makeover and also attends middle school. The new look will reveal sometime around fall this year but the image (like you see above) revealed to the public last March 16th. After revealing the image, many parents made mixed complaints about the plans that both Mattel and Nickelodeon made but soothes down for a moment. The reason why Dora turned into grown-up because Dora suppose to be a "role model" for young girls not being a "fashionista". The issue is still misunderstood by complaining parents and they demanded as a request that Dora should be the same 6-year-old girl like on TV.

It is unknown whether tweenage Dora will be appear in a TV sequel after Dora the Explorer (not the spin-off like Go! Diego! Go! which featured her cousin Diego). In the meantime, merchandises will sell first but unknown it will be ever reach in the Philippines. To me, the new look of Dora seems not a bad idea because of her Latina look but I prefer she should wear pants and T-shirt for more adventurous look. Honestly, aside from T-shirts and pants I would rather feel discourage to Nickelodeon who pushes some of their popular cartoon characters beyond far for just of their business - not the viewer's demand. We don't have to worry because tweenage Dora is still Dora we knew before who teach bilingual languages, encounter many friends and gets many adventures. I'm not sure what Boots looks like when he grows-up too *shrugs*.

Matanglawin TV Series

2009-03-17T14:54:00.005+08:00

It was Sunday morning while I took a break from reviewing for upcoming exam, I changed the channel on our TV and later seen a show that looks interesting. Matanglawin the show's title aired every Sunday mornings at 11:00 on ABS-CBN. The show hosted by the trivia king of Umagang Kay Ganda Kim Atienza and features about the facts about nature, traveling and their mysteries in the Philippines at the same time. As the title suggest, Kuya Kim's take on the vantage point of a Philippine eagle (Mapanuri, Mapagmatyag, Mapangahas) and he also faces breathtaking challenges such as entering deep caves or climbing mountain rocks.

I'm not much a Kapamilya fan but I really interested that show because it's really educational for everyone even for children. The stunts of every challenges Kuya Kim take doesn't have any stuntmen and instead personally done by himself. Besides, ABS-CBN did fit the schedule for airing Matanglawin as every viewer's routine. Matanglawin is a recommended show for everyone especially who wants to relax in Sundays. One Youtube user uploaded the opening billboard of Matanglawin here.

Don't forget to check out their official website in Multiply here. Also, check them out in ABS-CBN's official website here.

Gokusen 3 Soon Air This Month

2009-03-10T07:14:00.003+08:00

GMA Network's title card of Gokusen season 1 and 2.

Kozueko Morimoto's Gokusen made finally into live-action series since 2002. Gokusen tells about Kumiko Yamaguchi (nicknamed "Yakumi"), the granddaughter of a Yakuza boss and teacher of all-boys private high school. At first, Yakumi's students are mischievous but thanks to Yakumi's hard-work in academics and life lessons they both hang-up together when it comes to solving school and life problems.

A much awaited new season of Gokusen will finally air again on GMA this month. The season 3 of Gokusen which originally aired last year on Japan is finally picked up by GMA and decided to air it soon. A teaser commercial of Gokusen 3 was shown from GMA last March 1, 2009. According to the teaser, the new season will air on March 23rd this year and we in the Philippines is the first country will watch that show. Let's hope GMA Network never bails this plan for airing the show.

Oh wait, this is not actually the first time I post about J-Dorama or teen program.

Handheld Games, Anyone?

2009-03-08T14:06:00.013+08:00

Handheld games that I bought in stores or downloaded over few years. For Game Boy Advanced and DS only.

More coming soon....

Batibot (1984-2002)

2009-03-07T03:29:00.007+08:00

Some of my college teachers mentioned what they remember what they watched when they're youth. One of the things I heard them before was the first line of the song: "Pagmulat ng mata, langit nakatawa sa Batibot, sa Batibot...". What they mean is that they're favorite classic childhood show Batibot. Many adults who catch up this show remember that show even for teenagers who were born in 90's.

Before the existence of PSP, computer games and a bunch of violent anime shows, many Filipino kids during mid-80's started to watch Batibot. Batibot was first aired around 1984 and created by Sesame Workshop (the company who also created Sesame Street!) and Philippine Children's Television Foundation Inc. (PCTVF). In 1989, the two companies broke and PCTVF made allegibly the rights of making a Filipino educational show. Originally, Batibot is the Filipino version of Sesame Street.

Batibot made through a success thanks to it's great educational content and phrases even though it moved in four local networks. Even the characters and muppets of the show like Pong Pagong, Kiko Matsing, Manang Bola, Kuya Bodgie and Ate Sienna are known to many even today. Sadly around late 90's Batibot starting to decline because of the rise of foreign cable networks like Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. The biggest factor about losing the show was losing Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing on TV. Although, PCTVF staff created another Batibot-oriented educational show Batang Batibot and Koko Kwik Kwak (featuring Koko Kwik Kwak as a mascot), the original Batibot is the best show aired. They also made reruns of the original in the same year although they're forced to cease another network. In 2002, Batibot was canceled on TV.

Sadly, if you watch many episodes of Batibot and know the main characters you would really compare to teenagers today who watch anime like Naruto and Death Note, or playing computer games of today like DOTA and Grand Chase. It would be bit dissapointing and get a nostalgia of missing Batibot. Unlike in Sesame Street which still active on air, Batibot was canceled because of (maybe) lack of government support who maintains education and TV networks (MTRCB?).

In 2007, GMA Network's "Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho" once featured a 10-minute segment about Batibot including the known characters and reunion of Batibot hosts for the first time after 20 years. Fans and viewers of old Batibot would love that to see them!

If you and we really miss the old Batibot classics, there's few Batibot clips found in Youtube. Best of all, who could never forget the opening theme and it's lyrics?

Would it be fascinating to see a great educational show you watched returned in TV including the old Sesame Street episodes?

Goodbye, Francis Magalona (1964-2009)

2009-03-07T02:09:00.004+08:00

This maybe random but I found out yesterday in the Internet that the famous Filipino rapper Francis Magalona died in acute myelogenous leukemia yesterday at 12:00 noon.

For "Master Rapper" Francis Magalona, we all thank you for getting our own Filipino hip hop and rap because of your creative songs, discography and memories. May God bless you and we will miss you.

Francis Magalona has his own blog especially his last post before his fourth and last chemotherapy session. Read his blog in http://francismagalona.multiply.com/journal

Wikipedia article about Francis Magalona: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Magalona

Anime Fansubs, Fandubs and Scanlations

2009-03-06T15:28:00.013+08:00

Although we don't know how to read, speak or understand Japanese much, anime fans still never give-up getting addicted to things with another following important definitions aside from fansite, fanclub, fanart and fanfiction in the world of Japanese animation. They're pretty common especially in the Internet days.

Fansubs

Literally, fansub is the combination of the words "fan" and "sub". The word fansub is the short word for fan-subtitled is a version of foreign video or film which has been translated by fans and subtitled into a language rather than original (much like you seen on watching subtitled Asian films on DVD).

Back in 1980's and 1990's, anime was very rare or hard to find in US and UK. Unlike in other Asian countries who got the license early of airing anime shows during those times, Western countries tend to be late of airing anime in many of their TV channels. The original series and videotapes were only available to Japan for Western consumers. Like Americans and Europeans, they also dream of seeing anime shows in their countries especially popular ones like Macross and Dragon Ball Z. Their solution? Translate the Japanese words by themselves and then subtitled on their VHS or MPEG's. That was the origin of fan-made subtitles which known as fansub. During that time, making fansubs cost a lot of money and effort, including a bunch of video tapes, wires and some dubbers. Sharing fansubs with other Internet users was the most difficult part especially there aren't any video sharing websites during that time.

In these days especially computers are more upgraded, fansubs can easily be shared with the help of existing video sharing websites like Youtube. Also, in anime there are lot of hosting fansubbed anime websites in order to enjoy viewers especially anime fans to watch their favorites. For downloads, you just need a downloadable subtitling programs and laptops for more viewing. Anyone can also fansub anime shows at least half an hour.

Like in the past, there are difficulties in translating anime. One of the most common problem among fansubs is making translations professional as possible. In translating an episode of an anime shows, translators usually need to learn Japanese language a lot in books and communication in Japanese people (in some cases, learning Japanese through schools who offer foreign language course would do). They do that in order not to be confused by viewers when they make fansubs. Some fansubbers like to add short Japanese words like "san" for respect. Not at all subtitles are in full English, instead they leave things in Japanese in order to feel the way being an anime viewer or fan. In some instances, those words are defined with explanation notes....or disturbing visual gags from anime character's explanation. Watching fansubs can be difficult for starters to watch their translated languages and notes especially the text are almost filled up on the screen. In other instances, Japanese can be a very deep and meaningful even trying to understand them.

Aside in anime, fansubs are also available in other Japanese media like Super Sentai, Kamen Rider series and Ultraman in fansubbed anime websites. J-Drama and Japanese live action series are also available these days much like similar in subtitled Asian movies. This doesn't mean that subtitled non-English movies like in French or Chinese isn't included...they are available also as fansubs.

Here are the pictures of random subtitled anime shows...plus few notes.

Sample of a subtitled sentence.

Japanese opening and closing lyrics still never escape in translating them into English.

Putting definitions of Japanese language mostly located at the top of the screen when an anime character mentions a Japanese word that leaves on the sub. Notice that the sentences inside that screen are almost filled up which seem to be difficult to read by some viewers.

Unlike this one is clear without notes on top. But, the anime character in the screen mentioned in a Japanese word "Yoshaaa". For starters, they cannot define what Yoshaaa means but for anime fans they know it.

Another clip from One Piece. This character mentioned "Robin-chan". In anime fansubs, if fansubbers think the words "brother", "sister", "friend" etc. they left them with (important)meaning. In the pic, the word "chan" literally means "friend" in Japanese as respect.

Scanlation

Another important part in Japanese anime and manga fans is scanlation. Like in fansubs, scanlations are combined with the words "scan" and "translation". The only difference is scanlations is distributed through in comics which translated by fans. The term is used in manga (Japanese), manhwa (Korean) and manhua (Chinese).

In the few decades, scanlations are made because of releasing of manga in many countries were likely to be few. The reason why manga fans did translating the content of the manga is because of the quantity of the manga available in stores. Even though it is very illegal to release many manga titles especially when they are not released in market, many readers and fans are still enjoy reading translated manga. Just like in fansubs, scanlations are required a lot of scan, translation and edit from original language to English. Scanlations were first used in Japanese manga but nowadays, other non-English comics like Korean manhwa and Chinese manhua are also used and spread across the globe. Since the popularity of scanlations in the Internet, many websites offers many manga scanlations and available to read online for free.

Similar to fansubbing, scanlations add short Japanese words and define them in some pages. They also need to correct the words in order not be mistaken what the characters say. In these technolgy days, scanlations are easy to edit the words but understanding Japanese can be very, very difficult.

Below the few examples of manga pages under scanlations. They're pretty random.

Fandubs

Fandubs are anime dubs that are made by fans or redub. Typically alternate but similar dialogues, story plots and characters are present to this element. The quality of fandub depends on the material and voice of dubbers used.

Currently, hearing dubbed characters from anime shows made by fans can be a good one too. Some instances, can be ridiculous and used in poops. Fandubs are not much popular unlike in fansubs and scanlations. Fandubs are usually copyrighted implicated except the different range.

"Legal Actions?"

Having watch fansubbed anime, reading scanlated manga, or redubbing of an anime can be fun but considered as an illegal action to fans who are responsible to translate anime or manga titles. In the past, copyright holders never requested or warn fans to stop translating Japanese media materials like in television or books. In the present, some publishers threaten the fans to stop their illegal action. Like any copyright material laws, fansubs, fandubs and scanlations are illegal. Since many translators of anime or manga stop relasing those, they also put an advice or disclaimer for readers or viewers to buy the original material. But I guess because of fansubs or scanlations the original media are less bought since they exist on the Internet. However, since doing things made by anime fans they still follow the "code of ethics" and the rules of uploading translated episodes or chapters. After all, they do that in order to continue and spread the world the popularity of Japanese manga and anime.

The Many Ways Being an Otaku: Jumpstart From Manga to Anime

2009-03-04T16:08:00.016+08:00

Ever wonder how come your favorite anime shows made? In this topic, I will explain how those are created.

Dragon Ball Z page. This is the example of shonen manga type.

A manga page from Lucy Star. This is an example of shojo manga type.

When you look many manga titles in comic stores, you can't really decide which manga series you want to read. In the world of manga, there are two types: shonen and shojo. Shonen is primarily targeted for boys. It also features long action-packed sagas and adventure. Examples of that type are the popular Dragon Ball Z, Shaman King, Yu Yu Hakusho and Yu-Gi-Oh! Meanwhile, in shojo manga typically targeted by girls. Unlike in shonen, some shojo manga titles contain from romance stories to science fiction. Examples of shojo manga are Azumanga Daioh, Angelic Layer, Cardcaptor Sakura and Tsubasa Chronicles.

Before shonen and shojo manga made, manga-ka (meaning "creators") jot down ideas for their story they want to write and draw character elements. Typically, the creation of few chapters of manga take up in few months. If they think their creation is satisfied to their taste, they submit it to the publisher. If the publisher likes their story, it will be immediately put into zasshi or magazine. Zasshi is a kind of Japanese magazine which contains hundreds of pages. Ironically, some people (especially non-Japanese fans) called them "phonebooks". In zasshi, it contains at least 10 stories or more depending of how many pages available. They are printed in black and white on newsprint paper. Readers often throw away them after they finished reading those but nowadays, many manga and anime fans instead keep them as a part of their fanbase collection.
Manga comes out monthly, weekly or bi-weekly depending on their production and demand. If the story does well, the publisher reprints them in separate volumes called tankoubon. In tankoubon, aside from reprinting in separate volumes they also help guiding fans to continue reading their favorite chapters without advertisements.

With a stroke of luck, the manga jumped to zasshi and tankoubon and now turn into TV. Oh wait, does every manga titles got anime adaptation? The answer is depending on how popular or demanding on that manga. Some manga series (even though they are popular) are likely to be just in manga state according to their original creator's decision. Despite that Japan is the most-demanding country when it comes to their animation, it is still on commodity compared to anime. A producer in a anime studio is the one deals to offer the story into anime. Making anime is the most difficult part because it involves many people: including the director, producer, writers, many editors and hundreds of artists. Making an episode of anime usually takes up in many months or few years. Also, they never forget to credit the manga-ka of that adapted anime.

Anime is produced in three-forms: The most common type of anime we see is the TV episodes. Of course, every episodes range from 20 to 30 minutes. More than half percent of anime is based on manga. OVA or Original Video Animation (OAV or Original Animation Video is also accepted). We don't usually see them on TV and instead directly in anime stores for video rentals. There are also instances that they can be aired on TV depending on the viewer's demand. The last one is the full-length animation. They are made for the big screen especially for popular anime series. They usually start up to 60 minutes up to long 2 hours. A good example of full-length anime is the works created by Hayao Miyazaki. Some full-length anime like Pokemon and Naruto movies are also included because of their popularity.

In the success of anime and manga and also demands from the fans, many manga titles are adapted into anime. The publishers stay strong in their publishing business in order to gain and develop new story ideas which the result become the next generation of our beloved anime.

References:
* "All the Way from Manga to Anime", K-Zone Philippines, March 2005 pp. 28-29.
* http://www.animenation.net/blog/2009/02/11/ask-john-does-every-manga-get-an-anime-adaptation/

What's the Difference Between Cartoons and Anime?

2009-03-01T00:51:00.004+08:00

Like some people say "Different people have different preferences".

Episodes and Storylines:
- Most of anime, there are certain plots and storylines to follows. If you're an anime viewer (whether if you're and avid or not), you need to understand the whole plot by watching episodes from beginning to end...or else you'll need to catch up if you miss one.
- Most of western cartoons have episodes which shows their usual routine and how they live as themselves. It's okay if you miss any episodes unless if there's "Part 1" or continuing sequel.
- There is much involvement and imagination in anime world. Perhaps religion in Japan called "Shinto" would do. While in Western cartoons are rather avoid much "taboo" when it comes to liberal and censorship attitudes.

Physical look and styles:
- Early anime creators (such as Tezuka and Miyazaki) were influenced with Walt Disney's works and other classical 20th century characters in western cartoons. Nowadays, western cartoon creators is being influenced with anime (e.g. Totally Spies, Avatar, etc.). Both styles are just in cycle.
- Alot of anime deals with mature issues even if the output comes in cute way. Western cartoons oppose the anime styles.
- Anime has creative styles which is the reason why they produce a lot of anime shows every year. Same does in western cartoons although has limitations and stiffness.
- Usually in animation, both anime and western cartoon are not so bad.

Physics:
- There are few relations in anime from real life. Some anime shows, can be tend to do impossible things that even defies the rule in Physics (e.g. zero gravity from Dragon Ball series, infinite ammunition from Gundam series, etc.)
- Most of cartoons especially from classics (e.g. Looney Tunes, Mickey Mouse, Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear, etc.) also defies the rule in Physics (e.g. falling from the ground and still alive, walking on air, etc.)

Stereotypes:
- Anime can be mature or cute. There are also common anime stereotypes like puppy dog eyes, spiky hair, sketchy reactions, etc. Those stereotypes first introduced in Ozamu Tezuka's works.
- Western cartoons tend to be specific in order to appeal viewers especially kids. Caricatures is also the reason why western cartoons tend to be realistic and they have better anatomy design compare to anime.

Genre and Ages:
- Many anime contains almost all genres and all for ages - from toddlers to adults. It must be the reason why a lot of people appreciate anime.
- Most of the western cartoons contains limitations and may be intentionally just for kids (also for adults who like to watch classic cartoons). There are also western cartoons for adults although there are few.

Adaptation:
- Almost half percent in anime is based on the manga. The manga-ka (creators) are credited in many anime series. Other percentages are used in non-manga adaptations and OVA (Original Video Animation).
- In the mid-20th century and even present, western cartoon creators are used in making their own characters in animation then if there's a chance, jump into comics. It is also oppose on anime's adaptation. Not of all cartoons doesn't have adaptations, there are some cartoons that are based on comics (e.g. Marvel and DC comics).

Fandom:
(Fandom-term used to refer to a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of sympathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest).

- In these days, many people around the world are amazed in anime. They have many of their fan stuff about how much they like that kind of anime - from anime fan sites, anime fan club, fanfiction to fanart. What's more incredible about anime fandom is that many anime fans doing "cosplay" in many anime events. If you're into drawing then there's a anime fan comic known as "doujinshi". As of recent time, there are also "subbed" anime shows and "scanlations" of manga for anime fans who can't afford to buy the original in stores.
- Like in anime, there are many cartoons that builds it own fandom. The difference is unlike the fandom of anime, the fandom in cartoons are slowly fading when the cartoon series itself canceled in television. Cosplay are quite rare for western cartoon fans.

Popularity:
- The major driving force of popularity of anime is that their content and their widespread. Usually in anime, you can see based on samurai, ninjas, giant robots, space adventures, and school life. What's more is that anime is much focused on fantasy rather than realism which gave the storyline with weird premises but seemed normal storylines. Western cartoons are also followed the format but not the culture impact in anime. Also, cartoons' popularity can be targeted to many people in all ages. The closeness between western cartoons from eastern cartoons is that their industry are both faithfully strong in producing and exporting the series....meaning they're already the part of entertainment.
- Cartoons and anime are potentially the same.

References:
* http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/editorial/1998-07-09
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime-influenced_animation
* http://animeotaku.wordpress.com/2006/07/18/cartoons-vs-anime/

Anime Lyrics...in Tagalog!

2009-02-27T16:08:00.009+08:00

Something caught me attention about anime - lyrics in Tagalog version! Yes, back in few years ago few anime series which aired on the local networks in the Philippines gave change the songs from the Japanese version. They weren't too bad I tell you.

Here's some of the few anime series titles with Tagalog version theme songs. There are also few Pinoy websites which contain Tagalog version of some anime series (check below this post).

Cyborg Kuro-chan
Performed by Salbakuta

Yo! Kamusta na mga kaibigan!
Andito na si Kurochan ang ating bagong bida!
Come follow me!
Si Kuro ang cybercat na superhero!
Here We Go!

Si Kuro ang ating Hero
Ang galing nya, ang galing nya!
Mga salbahe lagot kay Kuro
Ang galing nya, ang galing nya

Hey Yo! Nandito na ang bida si Kuro(Kuro)
Ang cyborg cat na ating super Hero
Hey Yo! Syang tatalo sa kalaban
Ngayong alam nyo na kung sino sya

Kung handa kang sumabay Say Ho!
Si Kuro ay matindi Say Ho!
Mga bata are you ready?
Pow! Alright!
Talbog lahat ng mga kalaban baby
Pow! Alright

Mga kontrabida humanda kayo
Nandito na si Kuro lagot lahat kayo
Ating isigaw ang ating super hero
Kuro the cyborg cat ang ating idolo

Kuro-chan ang ating Hero
Kuro-chan, Kuro-chan
Mga salbahe lagot kay Kuro
Kuro-chan, Kuro-chan

Wakakusa no Charlotte
performed by: -----

Opening Theme:

Ika'y sinag ng araw, Charlotte
Labi mong singpula ng rosas
Kahit niyebe sa gubat ay natutunaw
Ika'y tanglaw ng pag-asa, Charlotte.
Bituing kumikinang ang kulay,
Inaawit ang himig ng tag-sibol.

Oh...Oh...Oh...Charlotte
Tanod kang bituin
Oh...Oh...Oh...Charlotte
Tanglaw kang maningning
Ngayon at bukas man
Sa agos ng panahon
Pinag-aalab mo aming panaginip.

Closing Theme:

La La La Beautiful May May Flower
Ang buwan ng Mayo ay kay gandang tunay
Dahil may bungang umuusbong
At sa buhok ko ito'y ipinutong
Ako'y nagiging diyosa ng tag-sibol
Kaya't sa gubat ating ipunin
Mga pipit at maya
Ang mga burol ating balutin
Ng luntiang damo at dahon
La La La Beautiful May May Flower
La La La Beautiful May May Flower.

BT'X
performed by: -----

Opening Theme:

Maglalakbay ako patungo sa kawalan
Upang habulin ko pangarap sa buhay
At lilipulin ko itong kadiliman
Makita ko lang ang liwanag
Ng katarungan.

Closing Theme:

Alab ng Katarungan
ang pagmamahal sa ating kapwa
ang pag-ibig sa ating bayan
Handang ibuwis ang aking buhay.

There are more anime Tagalog lyrics in these links. Check out the following:

..::|[{ Anime OP Song Lyrics ~in filipino~ }]|::.. v 1.0

Anime OP Song Lyrics - v 2.0

Feel free to sing good ol' Tagalog-dub anime version songs.

Anime Reruns: The Good and the Bad Side

2009-02-26T15:40:00.003+08:00

Being a kid, teen or adult Filipino most of us like to turn on our TV's to check out good programs. Also, most of us are aware that we also like watching anime these days. We know that we watch and like anime so much. Many networks promotes many anime shows every week in free-TV's or 24/7 in cables. Some (or mostly) of us remember the story and the title of that anime until we get sick of it every time goes back on TV. That's a problem in networks these days....reruns of anime in the Philippines. Before you get a negative reaction after you read this, first we'll have to understand behind "Why most networks replay the anime shows they air before?".

If your a teenager or an adult, think of it, do you remember the anime shows aired in that station? Do you know/what the title, characters or plot on that show? Do you want them to return back on TV? If you say yes, you definitely understood the reminiscence in your childhood - classic anime shows that needs to come back on TV stations. But sometimes, some anime shows we think of tend us to get sick or grudge hoping they will never air again. You're not the only one who tends to believe that way, in fact many Filipino people do or even Filipino anime fans known as "otakus".

I'm not much being an "otaku" as myself, but I see the way of how they re-air or appear on television either by local or cable networks. I notice some of the popular local networks like GMA 7 and ABS-CBN 2 got a habit of returning of old anime shows they air before since few years ago. As I got the internet, I found out the buzz that ABS-CBN and GMA had planned to release new anime shows. In reality, as time goes on ABS-CBN and GMA tend to delay releasing new shows and instead put spaces for the foreign and live-action programs. But they at least air new shows but unfortunately they only ran in short episodes. Many Filipino people especially youth tend to get frustrated for those two big stations especially they compete for the higher ratings.

Many said especially in news that competition of two large networks is the reason. According to this user's blog here, ABS-CBN accused GMA 7 for cheating in higher ratings to AGB Nielsen Ratings and while GMA 7 accuse ABS-CBN vice versa (sigh). Sure it all happened around 2007 but the two station's ratings is the main problem. Of course, when it comes to competition we almost get sick of them and deciding to quit watching their programs. Thanks to the internet, I never watch too much shows from ABS-CBN or GMA because I'm too busy to work. But not at all people who tend to do that as much as I did, many of us still have an interest watching their programs to see and hear the latest scoop.

Anyway, back to the anime topic. We know that both stations have a habit of reruns of old anime shows but ever wonder why they always do that? No, it's not because the higher ratings but sometimes yes. In fact, many adults especially middle-age isn't familiar into anime. Ever wonder when you're a kid or teen before and your parent saw you watching anime, he or she'll tell you like "Nanonood ka nanaman ng cartoons?" or "Puro cartoons!" or even change the channel without knowing it. It's kinda disappointing but it hurts too. I guess it's on the time gap - adults tend to watch shows that fits for them rather than shows for young audience but that's normal.
When we were in childhood, we're fascinated to the anime shows that are popular because of their great characters, plot and scenes but as time goes on they were gone on TV's. Sometimes, we suffer nostalgia a bit and then if there's a chance your favorite show returned on TV screen.

But what if your favorite anime show turns out to be a bore because it replays more than two times? I guess you're feeling like your listening to your favorite music all and all over again but suddenly you get bored because you knew the lyrics. That's the problem in many stations when it comes to schedules. I have seen anime shows which mostly replays many times. Here's the verdict:

One of the anime shows I knew that re-airs most is that Dragon Ball Z. Who could forget the adventures that Son Goku made together with his allies and also defeating enemies from faraway planets? Almost, most of us knows that show even for middle-aged adults. Dragon Ball Z was first aired on RPN9 back in the late 90's in English-dub and became popular among Pinoys. When it moved to GMA back around 1999 or 2000, it turned out to be in Tagalog-dub. It was usually aired every weekend afternoons then around 2008, aired in weekend afternoons. Yeah right, we tend to knew the characters and the story because GMA responsible for replays until we get bored. Some instances that DBZ reached in short episodes which make us think "Bitin!" (remember the Cell-saga?). Thank goodness it went gone this year.

Anybody knows Eugene, Alfred, Dennis, Vincent and other characters in Ghost Fighter series? If you remember the plot then you really knew it. Ghost Fighter was first aired in the Philippines around mid-90's in IBC13 in Tagalog-dub. Then, thanks to GMA Ghost Fighter was borrowed from IBC13 and made reruns every weekday evenings or afternoons. Not much replayed but the last time Ghost Fighter aired was January 2009.

Flame of Recca seem to have a similar battling competition scenes as Ghost Fighter except when it comes to ghost. It all about ninjas and good and evil. Flame of Recca first aired on GMA around 2000 in weekday afternoons.

Slamdunk seem makes you think you rather not to watch that show because you knew it before. It was first aired in ABC 5 (now TV5) every weekdays around 90's then took by GMA Network around early 2000. It tells about the adventures of Hanamichi Sakuragi and his basketball career. At first and second season, Sakuragi usually misunderstood the rules of the game until later on he was accepted with Team Shohoku as tough team member and later steepped-up to win Haruko's heart.

Daimos and Voltes V were popular among Filipino kids back in 1975. The two titles were both part as "Robot Romance Trilogy" in mid-70's. Who could forget the giant robots battling enemies that are giant too while battling in a wide field faraway from the city? Both robot titles were aired in IBC13, NBN 4, RPN 9 and GMA 7 which dubbed in Tagalog and Cebuano. Merchandises were famed to many people. Thou, as of this time I put them on a list of re-aired anime shows, but thanks to their popularity, many Filipino people still like those characters.

Naruto and it's continuing sequel Naruto Shipuuden both aired in ABS-CBN since 2004. They're also one of the greatest anime ans manga this time and considered favorites among anime fans and otakus. In the Philippines, Naruto is really exciting show but unfortunately it ran in short episodes and disappears. Later on, it reappears again for new season and episodes....then disappears and reappears again (whew). Same does the Naruto Shipuuden ep's. As of now, the season 2 of Naruto and replays of Naruto Shipuuden still ongoing.

The popular video game turned out to be an anime. Pokemon first aired in the Philippines around 1999 in English-dub until around 2001 which covers Ash Ketchum together with his friends in whole Kanto region. The in 2007, Pokemon turned in Tagalog-dub with new episodes.Even if there's currently Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl series, how come GMA is too slow for airing new episodes especially fans are waiting for airing Advanced Generation saga?

....and more anime series that I can't remember.

See? Have you wonder these titles can be actually familiar to you. Some instances they just pop-up then disappears, then return. This anime reruns tradition still continues today in both ABS-CBN and GMA. As a viewer like me and you, we would rather suggest these major networks to air new anime shows and release new episodes instead of re-airing old anime shows the aired many times (Why not even try to re-air shows that rarely appear like Lupin III, Mojacko,Trigun or Hunter x Hunter?). Let's hope both stations realize their needs of their viewers attention especially when it comes to anime. If you can't help being annoyed to reruns, why not try to watch anime shows from TV5. Many people especially fans, TV5 become a top-notch show when it comes to anime because of new anime shows and they also release classic anime that longer never air until this time.

Dalawang Bayani Illustration

2009-02-23T17:14:00.005+08:00

Brought to you by the publishers of Adarna House, a Filipino history and children's book entitled Dalawang Bayani ng Bansa ("Two Heroes of the Country") features the stories of Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio's life, side-by side. Every page shows the different illustrations about them. It also have both Filipino and English translation as well.

I saw Dalawang Bayani book in Expressions in Cainta Branch last December. Too bad I didn't bought them up but looking few pages especially illustrations truly remarkable. The illustrations of the children's book created by Joel Chua, while the writer by Rene Villanueva.

For more details of the painting click here.

Don't forget to check-out Joel Chua's weblog Rusty Banana Forge.

Dalawang Bayani wallpaper / illustration © Joel Chua and Adarna House.

Transportmers: Pinoy Transformers

2009-02-22T13:06:00.004+08:00

Rant.

I first laughed then amazed when I saw these robot characters in the Internet. Sure, they're look like Transformers in the 2007 movie version but what amuses me is that they're the Pinoy version which they are called Transportmers. While we're waiting for the upcoming Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen in June this year, let's us see what's behind these cool robots.

So, how these Transportmers guys appeared on the Internet? It all began during the appearance of the 2007 movie of Transformers, the creator konserns (a college student in the Philippines) came out the idea creating the spoof of Transformers movie characters based on the vehicles in the Philippines called Transportmers. Soon, konsern's Transportmer characters posted in his DeviantArt account and became wildly popular among Transformer fans especially Filipinos who have DA accounts. Unfortunately, Transportmers was flagged from copyright infringement and konserns' creations suddenly deleted but the account still active. Few moments later, even though konserns' Transportmers were gone on DeviantArt, many blogs and websites from the Philippines (including mine) posted images of Transportmers from receiving their friend's e-mail messages and spread to another e-mail. And thus, the Transportmers became an Internet meme for Filipinos and still popular. Konserns, meanwhile, post a journal entry in his DA account announcing that he will no longer make any spoofs of Transformers or parodies in other movies. He leave his account around late 2007 after posting his first and last journal entry.

Auto-Toda and Decepti-Toda.

In the Transportmers world, they're basically the parody/spoof of Transformers 2007 movie version and they're modeled after vehicles that can be found in the Philippines. Like in Transformers, Transportmers have two sides battling each other for the universe - the Auto-Toda and Dicepti-Toda. Auto-Toda (based on Autobots) are, well we know they're good guys while Dicepti-Toda (based on Dicepticons) are the evil guys.

Let's introduce these guys from Transportmers universe. I admit konserns' creations are fantastically great and very artistic. Let's clap hands for his creation....okay, that's enough.

The Auto-Toda Association

If you look closely to the utility jeepney, there's a signboard in front "U.P. IKOT" which the jeepney drives around the campus. My guess is that konserns went or studied in University of the Philippines.

I wouldn't be surprised that Miriam College was mentioned.

The Dicepti-Toda Association

There's no more. After Transportmers creations disappeared in DeviantArt, there are few (or many) Transformers spoofs similar to Transportmers. This another user's blog entry here showed some few another creations but not from the original Transportmers. If it wasn't enough,there's a Youtube video about a jeepney actually transformed in camera motion. You can view that video here.Whatever intention why Transportmers made, well at least Filipinos have artistic sides too.

Tuldok Animation's Pasintabi (2009)

2009-02-21T01:58:00.004+08:00

After the success of Philippine cartoons of 2008 like Urduja, Dayo and Libingan, a known animation studio in the Philippines Tuldok Animation Studios Inc comes to reveal another upcoming cartoon for this year. According to their blog, the next entry will be entitled Pasintabi and will be released in July 2009.

As of this time, Tuldok Animation Studios revealed the teaser trailer of Pasintabi here although there aren't enough characters introduced.

Watch out for their updates and more information in their weblog here. Let us not forget to support our country's animation industry!

"Pasintabi" image title © Tuldok Animation Studios Inc.

"Habulan" - A Quake Overload Commercial feat. Pugad Baboy

2009-02-19T11:46:00.012+08:00

Before they made an appearance of one of Sugarfree's music video, the round, wobbly and known cast of popular Pugad Baboy series made an appearance of a Quake Overload commercial back in 2007. As I say, the characters are modeled in 3D as they popped-out from the comics.

Do you think Pugad Baboy will be made into animated series? Perhaps someday...

Polgas first moved out...

The main cast of Pugad Baboy.

If you want to watch the commercial featuring them, one Youtube user uploaded the Quake Overload commercial here. Ay, don't forget to try the creamy and tasty Quake Overload...they're absolutely good.

Commercial Information
Project: HABULAN "The Chase"
Client: URC
Product: Quake Overload
Agency: Harrison Communications

ECD: Alex Arellano
DECD: Budjette Tan
ACD: Mervin Ignacio
AD: Mark Pahate
Accounts: Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas, Monday Gonzales, Sinta Rosales-Baguio, Ethel Dino

Director: Jeorge Agcaoili
Producer: Datu Gallaga
Animation/SFX: Underground Logic
Artists: Wayne Dayauon, Richard Haw, Russ Galicia, Marlowe Mercado, Nath Robite, Jose Ticsay
Production House: Unitel Productions
Editor: Melanie Valera

World Masterpiece Theater Series Aired in the Philippines Part Four

2009-02-18T16:15:00.009+08:00

I'm apologize to everyone out there for the slow pace for my World Masterpiece Theater series posts. Well, I guess I have to finish this up.

Trapp Family Story / Torappu Ikka Monogatari (1991)

Trapp Family Story (or "Trapp Family Singers" in Tagalog-dub) was released for World Masterpiece Series back in 1991. It was based on the novel entitled The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp, which also inspired to a popular musical The Sound of Music.

Similar to the novel and the musical, the show centers to a young woman named Maria. She worked as a nun until she take up the responsibility of Captain Trapp's children. The anime
was probably known to have a beautiful opening theme entitled Doremi no Uta (Doremi's Songs). In DVD, home video, and dubbed version the broadcasting's opening theme were different and which it's version entitled Hohemi no Mahou (Smile Magic).

The last time I've seen this anime was in ABS-CBN last year.

The Bush Baby / Daisougen no Chiisana Tenshi Busshubeibī (1992)

The Bush Baby (also known as "Bush Baby, Little Angel of the Grassland") premiered in the year 1992. It is based on a 1965 novel entitled The Bushbabies by William Stevenson.

Set around 1964, thirteen year-old Jacqueline "Jackie" Rhodes and her family lived in Kenya, where her father is a Wildlife Officer. Jackie found an ill bush baby, take care of it until she named the bush baby Murphy. When Jackie's father loses his Job, his family including Jackie prepares to return to England. Right before leaving Kenya, Jackie forgot the papers for Murphy as a pet and then she stayed for Kenya for searching. Luckily, she found Tembo, an African and Jackie's father loyal assistant. A manhunt incident began when some people realize that Tembo kidnapped Jackie. They both must pass the dangerous way through Savannah to poachers and police officers. In the end after Jackie found her family and proved Tembo is not a kidnapper, Jackie finally released Murphy into the wild.

The last time Bush Baby aired was in QTV around 2007.

Little Women II: Jo's Boys / Wakakusa Monogatari Nan to Jō Sensei (1993)

Little Women II: Jo's Boys (also known as "Tale of Young Grass: Nan and Miss Jo") was released in year 1993 as a part of World Masterpiece Theater series. The anime also a sequel of 1987 Nippon Animation's Little Women. Like in Little Women, Jo's Boys is based on a novel entitled Little Men by Louisa May Alcott.

Josephine March (nicknamed "Jo") matured into a woman ten years later after Little Women. She was married by a German professor and they had two sons, Jo established a school for his children, nephews and a bunch of orphaned children in the Plumfield farm-house. With the experience of having her own family and children, Jo guided her pupils through values and education while getting into adventures and mischief.

Although in the Philippines aired Little Women in ABS-CBN in 1990's, Little Women II: Jo's Boys would definitely a certain classic show which first aired in the mid-90's in ABS-CBN. I'm not really sure when Little Women II last aired.

Tico of the Seven Seas / Nanatsu no Umi no Tiko (1994)

Tico of the Seven Seas is another World Masterpiece Theater series aired in 1994. It features of a young girl named Nanami. She was raised by her father who's a Marine Biologist while her mother died when she was young. Nanami's father's mission is to search the legendary creature of the sea known as the Glowing Whale and protect the undersea creatures. While Nanami, met and befriended a female Orca and named it Tico. Both Nanami and Tico swims in the sea everyday. Eventually, Nanami learned how to breathe underwater which astounds her father. On the board of their ship Peperonchino, they both met struggles and adventures until they search the Glowing Whale.

Aired in ABS-CBN in late 90's. I'm searching for the original novel.

Romeo's Blue Skies / Romio no aoi sora (1995)

Romeo's Blue Skies (or "Romeo and the Black Brothers" in English version) released in 1997. It is based on the novel Die Schwarzen Brüder written by Kurt Held in 1941.

The anime focuses on adventures of a pre-teen boy named Romeo who ventured to Milan in order to get money for healing his father's sickness. Unfortunately, he was sold to a chimney sweep and do the job as a chimney sweeper. While on the way in Milan as a chimney sweeper, Romeo met Alfred, who has the same fate as Romeo's. Later in the series, two of them both formed as "The Black Brothers". With encountering struggles from bosses, hardships and relationships Romeo found out Alfred's secret: he sold himself for the life of his sister Bianca and had a terrible sickness. It's now up to Romeo and "The Black Brothers" to stand up from struggles, and protect Bianca with their own.

Romeo's Blue Skies also known as Munting Pangarap ni Romeo in Tagalog-dub. It is also probably one of the WTO series known in the Philippines and aired in ABS-CBN. The last time Romeo's Blue Skies aired in the Philippines was in early 2008 and nominated in Anak TV Seal Awards in the same year.

Remi, Nobody's Girl / Ie Naki Ko Remi (1997)

Remi, Nobody's Girl is another World Masterpiece Theater series aired back in 1997. Before, the revival of WTO series in 2007 Remi, Nobody's Girl would actually the last installment of the classic series. The anime was adapted from 1878's French novel Sans famille, written by Hector Malot. Unlike from the original novel, the protagonist Remi is a girl instead of boy.

This tells a story of a cheerful girl named Remi, who lives in a countryside in France with her mother. Until one day, Remi discovered that Remi is abandoned and the mother she known was Mother Barberin. Remi's stepfather told Mother Barberin to sold Remi to the workhouse because of poverty. Remi was sold to Vitalis, who is a performance traveler by Remi's stepfather. Vitalis and his fellow group of performance travelers accept Remi as their new member because of her talent in singing. While on the journey, Remi hopes that she will find her real family through hardships.

The last time Remi, Nobody's Girl was aired in ABS-CBN around 2000's. In Animax Southeast Asia, dubbed in English few years back.

.....

It's all finished. I've notice I've seen a lot of World Masterpiece Theater series are many and aired in the Philippines. Currently, there are few series still air mostly in ABS-CBN or Q. For the meantime, I'm not sure if any local channels have any plans for releasing old especially new WTO series. Since 2007 during the revival, World Masterpiece Theater series is one of the series that definitely a classic anime for many countries around the world.

Azumanga Daioh Animated Pic!

2009-02-16T05:29:00.004+08:00

I still remember that I've posted a preview of Azumanga Daioh here. The anime is still as funny as ever imagine. Look I found few animated pictures and these can tell that both Azumanga Daioh's manga and anime got wacky and crazy humor.

Click here to join a dance party!

Another one...

Oh yes, Sakaki can be a good baseball player....

You can still look for more Azumanga Daioh animated pictures in Photobucket.

Fushigi Yuugi

2009-02-14T17:28:00.002+08:00

Fushigi Yuugi, can be considered as one of the most popular shojo anime series since mid-90's. The story concept seems to be somewhat similar - a girl who was transported to the other world and guarded by the (cool) men in order to succeed a quest. Like any other fantasy adventure anime series I watched, this one makes me well interested and intrigued as well.

The manga was originally created back in 1992 up to 1996 and came alive as an anime in 1995. Average senior high school students Miaka Yuuki and Yui Hongo ("Julie" in Tagalog-dub) were landed to the National Library and they found an ancient, magical book known as The Universal of Four Gods. Unfortunately, the two girls were transported to the ancient China from thousand years ago. Both of them become separated and Miaka ends up to be a "chosen one" and was destined to be a priestess of Suzaku and she must gather the Seven Celestial Guardians of Suzaku. Meanwhile, Yui was also become a priestess but a priestess of Seiryu and must gather seven guardians of Seiryuu which they are against the Suzaku. Yui turned out against Miaka and tries to stop her. In other subplot, Miaka's brother Kenny along with his male friend read about the adventures of Miaka being the priestess of Suzaku.

While the story of Fushigi Yuugi come up in twists in various situations like adventure and romance, who could love the romance between Tamahome (one of the Celestial Guardians of Suzaku) and Miaka plus add some love triangles between them. Anyway, at the first season of Fushigi Yuugi where Miaka gathers seven guardians were steadfast and puts up comedy scenes like some characters being super deformed. Still, the story wasn't much on harm and you don't need a reason for getting to hooked for the fantasy-shoujo theme. In other words, Fushigi Yuugi can be very good one.

As for Miaka's character development, at first season she seems to be clueless yet funny who has tough responsibilities she must accomplish in her home world. Later on, as she realize being the "chosen one" (priestess of Suzaku) she become determined and courageous despite she was saved many times from being captured by the enemies. Aside from being funny, I didn't notice about her charm or appeal but instead she played a role being in the middle of love triangle romance and the dramatization. At least, every episode Miaka learns something that would help her allies like her seven guardians, she changes the world for the better good.

In the season 2 intrigues me as I watch them. As Miaka found out the Seven Celestial Guardians of Suzaku, Yui turns out against Miaka as she found out the Seven Celestial Guardians of Seiryuu. Filled with Yui's tragic memories, her anger and jealousy over Miaka and Tamahome seems can be a huge punchline. Another thing about Fushigi Yuugi is that they contain mature-ish scenes which quite inappropriate to the younger viewers. I wouldn't want to see Miaka being half-naked or naked although I'm a teenager now.

Many of the anime scene's can be raised from serious to silly lines, from drama to comedy. The dialogue is much fine although sometimes can be quite disturbing. The music scenes can be few but there is opening and closing theme songs can be fun to listen to. The character designs seems you're expecting them Japanese rather Chinese but it's not very bad. One of the Seven Guardians of Suzaku, Nuriko can be intimidating to investigate if he or she's a man or a woman. Honestly, I rather vote Nuriko as a woman so there will be a female Celestial Guardian of Suzaku.

Overall, Fushi Yuugi really captures a lot of good elements. There are large cast although few of them were strongly developed, while others only stable or wasn't much deep. With the adventure-fantasy theme, plus the drama, tragedy, comedy, heavy romance, fighting scenes, and a lot of rivalry it's pretty assuring that Fushigi Yuugi can be the very reason why it became popular shoujo anime. I still expecting to catch up it's episodes every weekday nights plus weekend afternoons in replays on TV5. Here's the opening theme here and closing theme of an episode here.

Happy Valentines Day, everyone!

Coraline

2009-02-09T03:19:00.004+08:00

Sypnosis:
(Synopsis from starmometer.com)

Coraline Jones is a girl of 11 who is feisty, curious, and adventurous beyond her years. She and her parents have just relocated from Michigan to Oregon. Missing her friends and finding her parents to be distracted by their work, Coraline tries to find some excitement in her new environment. She is befriended–or, as she sees it, is annoyed–by a local boy close to her age, Wybie Lovat and visits her older neighbors, eccentric British actresses Miss Spink and Forcible as well as the arguably even more eccentric Russian Mr. Bobinsky. After these encounters, Coraline seriously doubts that her new home can provide anything truly intriguing to her, but it does; she uncovers a secret door in the house. Walking through the door and then venturing through an eerie passageway, she discovers an alternate version of her life and existence. On the surface, this parallel reality is similar to her real life–only much better. The adults, including the solicitous Other Mother, seem much more welcoming to her. Coraline is more the center of attention there–even from the mysterious Cat. She begins to think that this Other World might be where she belongs. But when her wondrously off-kilter, fantastical visit turns dangerous and Other Mother schemes to keep her there, Coraline musters all of her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home–and save her family.

"Coraline" is based on a horror novella by Neil Galman and published around 2002. As a best-seller children's book since 2003 Coraline was chosen to adapt as a movie. From the director of The Nightmare Before Christmas, if you watch the movie you'll expect some scary and creative elements just like in the novel but also contains suggestive humor. This stop-motion horror and fantasy film released in February 6th in U.S. this year. Since, I never see any Coraline trailer in the Philippines I think the movie will release around last few weeks of February or early March.

Don't forget to watch the trailer here.

Guess Where I Got These Clips?

2009-02-01T21:12:00.006+08:00

It's on the question above.

If you can't guess it, well then look at this video here.

Batang Bibbo

2009-01-31T08:35:00.005+08:00

all songs composed & arranged by Teresa Barrozo
lyrics by Augie Rivera

To supplement the educational and social needs of children, food firm giant CDO-Foodsphere Inc has partnered with GMA Network for its creative and highly ambitious educational preschool show, aptly titled as Batang Bibbo!

In a press conference, company president Jerome Ong said the show “marked the formal launch of their hunger for education" advocacy.

The thirty-minute weekly show aims to educate than to entertain, Ong said.

It would inspire preschoolers into “becoming physically fit, socially active, mentally alert, emotionally, and morally responsible," he added.

Joy Madrigal, the program manager of the show, said the concept of Batang Bibbo! is very timely since “most of the pre-school(ers in the country) could not (even) avail (proper) education."

The show will feature two puppets named Bi and Bo, in a magical learning land called “Bibolandia."

They will be joined by "Ate Anne," who would take them to the world of learning and discovery.

In an interview with GMNews.TV, CDO senior marketing manager Jonathan Bendicion said the show will differ from previous educational shows by focusing on the combination of two aspects: social skills and language development.

By language development, Bendicion said, the show would focus on teaching the preschoolers the proper use of Filipino language.

In this age of modern communication, the correct use of the language has become very “confusing," he added.

“(The language that we are going to use is) pure Filipino. Maraming mga foreign shows ngayon pero wala kang makita na pure Filipino yung ginagamit," Bendicion said.

“Everything that will be used here is going to be original," Auggie Rivera, the show’s story writer, added.

Rivera, who was also the writer in the defunct kiddie show Batibot, said Batang Bibbo! is not just about the typical combination of puppetry song and story telling. Rather, it equally targets the child’s moral aspect, like teaching them respect for “diversity."

Although specifically designed for children aged three to six years old, the show could be enjoyed by the parents as well, said Roxanne Barcelo, who will play the role of "Ate Anne."

For her part, Barcelo also encouraged the parents, especially the new ones, to join their kids in watching the series. She explained that by watching the show, they can get tips on how they could further nurture the needs of their children.

Batang Bibbo! will start airing over GMA 7 every Saturday starting November 8 from 8:30 to 9 a.m.
Every Saturday
8:30-9am
GMA7

Source: www.igma.tv

Not much to say. But before GMA'a Batang Bibbo, CDO (a food-company) promotes Sirit! which features the same actor and puppets. It aired on ABS-CBN every Saturday mornings last year.

Chillitees' Animated Music Video - Sama Na

2009-01-27T07:38:00.020+08:00

I don't realize that there was an animated music video combined with a Pinoy band performance. The music video was entitled "Sama Na" performed by Chillitees in year 2006. Although the animation seemed used in Adobe Flash or any computer-animation tool, the scenes makes sense at all. Great video.

Video Information
Animation: Elmer Ona & Ben Riego of WATUSI Productions.
Character designs: Paolo Lim, Elmer Ona & Ben Riego.
Written, directed and edited: Dan Gil
Cinematography and additional direction:Elmer Ona & Ben Riego.

By the way, don't forget the Sama Na music video here.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 1987 version

2009-01-24T06:42:00.007+08:00

Here's another classic yet a still cool cartoon that began it's popularity. I assume the title is called "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" but before the 2003 version of it, there's the 80's version. I'll try to take notes on this one.

Before the height of popularity, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or TMNT for short began as comic series in 1984. Originally created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. The content of the comics were black and white strips. The four turtle characters wearing masks with different weapons each and act as cold-blooded reptiles with incredible martial art skills. Some characters and storyline were parodied and referenced from Marvel Comic's titles like Cerebus, Ronin, and Daredevil. Because there are no publishing companies to offer Eastman and Laird's work, both creators build their own studio known as Mirage Studios and published their first issue entitled Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

In the mainstream in the first issue, merchandising jumped into mainstream. In 1986, TMNT's merchandise began as action figures and expand to the market. Then in 1987, the first TMNT cartoon was born.

Clockwise: Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo and Donatello.

The first TMNT cartoon series began in 5-part miniseries and thus becoming a regular Saturday morning cartoon. The four mutated ninja turtles played as pizza-obsessed heroes with their different personality. They're also first appeared with their color-coded masks each plus their belts. The four turtles are guided with their mutated rat and martial arts sensei named Splinter. The turtles task is to save the city from enemies and alien invaders. Their toughest nemesis is named "The Shredder" or simply called Shredder.

The show doesn't contain darker tone from the original comics because the show aims to be suitable for children. The plot began when Splinter, before being a rat was a human named Hamato Yoshi. He was banished by Foot Clan in Japan lead of Oroku Saki and forced to live in sewers in New York City. Then one day, Yoshi found four turtles which they were accidentally drop by a young boy. Yoshi returned one day that the turtles were covered with green ooze known as mutagen and thus the turtles began to form into humanoids. While Hamato Yoshi, become a humanoid rat because of exposure to sewer rats and named himself Splinter. In some versions, Splinter raised the four turtles and treat them as his children. Splinter named the four turtles after his favorite Renaissance artists - Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello and taught them the art of ninjitsu. The four ninja turtles were born to protect the city against the invaders and meanwhile Oroku Saki left Japan to find Yoshi and become Shredder.

There are many characters from the comics appeared in the cartoons like the Foot Soldiers, April O' Neil and Casey Jones. There are also characters who were featured in cartoons only. While the story was heavily diverged from the original concept of comics. At first, the animated series wasn't considered canon in the Mirage Studios universe. Later on, because the cartoon showed it's wide-spread incarnation and helped increase the merchandise and phenomenal status it turned out into a pop-culture even today. Many people considered the cartoon as a canon and become the part of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe. Merchandises like soundtracks, cereals, skateboards, video games, Archie comics, magazines and pizza coupons are spawned successfully. Even a concert tour were held. There are catchphrases such as "Turtle power!" and "Cowabunga!" are used by many people especially fans.

What can I say about TMNT 1987 version? Well, aside from kid-friendly environment I pretty considered them as one of the greatest classic cartoons I watched aside from Transformers. When it comes to all TMNT cartoons and anime (yes, there were two anime versions of it) the 80's rocked the spot which means the first TMNT. With lots of casts and twisted storyline, I guess that TMNT helped explain their original counterparts and branched to the other TMNT successors. What might discourage me is that in later seasons around 1994, the environment became darker which kinda scary and removed numerous characters. Deep down, I don't mind about what doesn't seem right and besides 1987's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is really great and pretty nostalgic.

Currently, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles airs on Studio 23 every 8:00-8:30 AM Saturdays. Before that schedule, ABS-CBN aired that also together with the new season around mid-90's along with X-Men. In 2006 or 2007, the show moved to Studio 23 which aired every weekday nights before it moved to Saturday mornings. The opening theme here is catchy which seems that you'll almost sing the lyrics all day. Like any cartoons I've seen, I have no idea who composed or sang the TMNT opening song.

"Guardian" Del Monte Pineapple Commercial

2009-01-18T17:56:00.004+08:00

This latest Del Monte Pineapple commercial really impress me a lot and I don't have any negative comments to say. A one-minute digital animation presented in this commercial was released last December during the time when the movie Dayo released. This TV commercial is directed by Gorio Vicuna.

Somewhere in a faraway kingdom, it was a peaceful kingdom which contains a lot of Del Monte Pineapple cans as their treasure until one night a group of bad guys took the treasure. The kingdom become a gloomy place and the King called the three children Tinay, Lucas and Lito. The kids were ordered to retrieve the kingdom's treasure from the bad guys.

I guess the commercial helps people especially kids to engage eating pineapple like Del Monte Pineapple plus the animation style.

Jobert the Animated Series (2009)

2009-01-17T17:36:00.001+08:00

Jobert is a 13-episode Philippine animation with English subtitles. Based on a (unfamiliar) comic series published by Miracle Publishing Corporation. It was chosen to be made into another "Pinoy anime" by Miracle Animation Studios Inc. and Top Peg Animation. Watch out for it because Jobert will appear in Philippine television in the first quarter this year. I wonder what network station will promote this series?

Ibong Adarna / Adarna: The Mythical Bird (1997)

2009-01-15T14:01:00.010+08:00

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.

World Masterpiece Theater Series Aired in the Philippines Part Three

2009-01-09T11:49:00.011+08:00

Princess Sarah / Purinsesu Sēra or Shoukoujo Sarah (1985)

Princess Sarah is the another entry of World Masterpiece Theater series launched in 1985 and based on a novel A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This story tells about a young girl named Sarah Crewe, who is the daughter of a wealthy British family, who start's attending all-girl's boarding school in London. There, she excels in studies and made lots of friends and classmates until she encounter her tragic fate. Tragedy strikes when Sarah's father died from fever and his business is bankrupt which makes Sarah became an orphan. Miss Minchin the school headmistress makes Sarah miserable by making her as a maid. However, with the help of Sarah's friends, Sarah preserves her courage and faith in order to endure the hardships she receive until to return her reputation.

Princess Sarah is probably the most popular World Masterpiece Theater series aired in the Philippines. Since it aired during early 90's in ABS-CBN, children viewer's become fascinated to the storyline and characters which makes the runaway success. Princess Sarah also made two live-action series. In 1995, inspired in the anime series the movie was created entitled "Sarah, Ang Munting Prinsesa" featuring Camille Pratts as Sarah Crewe and Jean Garcia as Miss Minchin. Produced by Star Cinema and ABS-CBN, the movie also became a success that even it was filmed in Scotland. Another one was in 2007 as teleserye in ABS-CBN featuring Sharlene San Pedro as Sarah Crewe and Sheryl Cruz as Miss Maria Minchin.

The last time Princess Sarah aired in ABS-CBN was 2008.

The Story of Pollyanna, Girl of Love / Ai Shōjo Porianna Monogatari (1986)

Based on the 1913 novel Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter, the title character Pollyanna Whittier a young orphan who lives in the Beldingsville, Vermont along with her wealthy Aunt Polly. Being a happy-go-lucky and cheerful girl, test the strong bond with her aunt. "The Story of Pollyanna, Girl of Love" is the first (or one) of the World Masterpiece Theater series had two opening and ending themes.

The title is also called "Pollyanna" in the Philippines. It was aired on GMA and ABS-CBN. ABC 5 aired the series during late 90's and only World Masterpiece Theater series that aired in ABC 5 (now TV 5). I had no idea when this actually aired last time but according to Anime News Network, the airing year was in 2002 in GMA.

Little Prince Cedie / Shōkōshi Sedi or Shoukoushi Ceddie (1988)

Little Prince Cedie is based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's book, Little Lord Fauntleroy. The novel was chosen to adapt into anime as a part of World Masterpiece Theater series in 1988. The anime focuses of a young American boy named Cedric Errol or also known as "Cedie". He leaves New York to live in other place to the ancestral castle as a heir in British earldom. Joined by his parents especially his grandfather, Cedric is taught by being an aristocrat but Cedie wants to know compassion, social justice and also the motherly love. Ran in 43 episodes, Kôzô Kusuba directed the series.

Like in Princess Sarah's Tagalog title, Little Prince Cedie is entitled "Cedie, and Munting Prinsipe" and also a runaway hit in the Philippines. It also reached into live-action movie produced by Star Cinema although it is said that it's less popular than the movie version of Princess Sarah. I forgot when it is the last time the anime aired but probably 2007 or last year. "Little Prince Cedie" was awarded in 2008 Anak TV Seal Awards.

The Adventures of Peter Pan / Pītā Pan no Bōken (1989)

Like any previous cartoon adaptations of Peter Pan including from Disney, the Japanese version of Peter Pan was created in 1989 as an anime. It is an adaptation of the original and classic novel Peter Pan novel by James Matthew Barrie. The anime version starts when Wendy dreamed about she is rescued by a flying, young boy named Peter Pan and the battle between him and Captain Hook. Suddenly, Wendy and her two brothers John and Michael go to Neverland and Wendy became the 'mother' of the Lost Boys in the forest. Throughout middle of episodes, Peter and his crew go off as they fight the pirates and romance developed in Peter and Wendy. The last few episodes go into twists of the story from the novel and introduced Princess Luna, who will play as the granddaughter of an evil witch who controls the time of Neverland. The anime was directed by Takashi Nakamura and Yoshio Kiruda, and spanned 41 episodes in total.

The last time The Adventures of Peter Pan aired was last year in ABS-CBN. The title is called "Peter Pan".

My Daddy Long Legs / Watashi No Ashinaga Ojisan (1990)

My Daddy Long Legs is based on the novel Daddy-Long-Legs written by Jean Webster. Before the World Masterpiece Theater series, a TV-anime special of "Daddy Long Legs" was created under Tatsunoko Productions in 1979 entitled Ashinaga Ojisan, directed by Masakazu Higuchi. During the WMT series, My Daddy Long Legs was created in 1990. There are few altered storylines and character designs were developed but there are original sources from the novel. The major difference from the anime to the novel is that the main characters we're set during the protagonist's high school years rather in college. I think that "My Daddy Long Legs" should be attractive to children televiewers especially girls when they're high school just like any anime shows that feature high school students.

Judy Abbott, a 14-year-old orphan was raised in John Grier Home and was chosen to study to Lincoln Memorial High School by a mysterious benefactor named "John Smith". After Judy saw a tall shadow leaving, she nicknamed him "Daddy Long Legs". The only payment that will Judy give is to write monthly letters to Daddy Long Legs, without any responds from the benefactor. Little known that letter writing helps Judy develop her writing skills. The series covers Judy's life in 3 years, starting from arrival to Lincoln Memorial High School, discovering what's life both in school and city and up to high school graduation.

In the Philippines, the anime was called "Judy" in ABS-CBN and aired in year 2002. In 2007, the title was called "Daddy Long Legs" when it aired to Q. The last time "My Daddy Long Legs" was re-aired was in Q last year.

(continue to part 4)

World Masterpiece Theater Seres Aired in the Philippines Part Two

2009-01-03T07:27:00.012+08:00

Anne of Green Gables / Akage no An or "Red-haired Anne" (1979)

Anne of Green Gables is the sixth entry of World Masterpiece Theater adapted from the novel Anne of Green Gables by writer Lucy Maud Montgomery. This series tells about Anne Shirley's life in Prince Edward Island who was raised in a orphanage and was accidentally adopted by the Cuthbert siblings,who thought they requested to adopt a boy to help raise the farm. With Anne's vivid imagination and chatter, the Cuthberts thought nothing will be same in Green Gables without her.

This is the one of the series became popular in exporting countries in Asia especially in Europe. If you watch any of it's series, you'll notice the character's dialogue are similar to the original novel. That's because Isao Takahata chose Anne of Green Gables to make anime series very true from the original source rather being altered unlike his previous works (Heidi and 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother). Miyazaki on the other hand, produce the setting and layout until the 15th episode of the series.The novel Anne of Green Gables is still loved and popular around the world even from Canada (Canada considered the original novel as their icon and every people knows Anne). The novel and it's anime version are still loved even today that Nippon Animation is planning to make the prequel entitled Before Green Gables. Although it is also based from the novel but not from the original author, let's hope that the young Anne Shirley will be the same as when she's in Green Gables. More information about the anime's prequel here.

The last time I've seen this adapted anime was last year in Q. I'm waiting for next more months to Q re-air Anne of Green Gables like they did in Rascal. Anne of Green Gables was nominated in 2008 Anak TV Seal Awards.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer / Tomu Sōyā no Bōken (1980)

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is another adapted anime series in 1980 directed by Hiroshi Saito. The anime is based on the popular novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. A mischievous young orphan named Thomas "Tom" Sawyer goes through series of adventures and scrapes with his friends including his best friend Huckleberry Finn. Set into the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri. Though Tom's morals and mischief who knows that he wanted to be a pirate or become a detective someday.

The last time this chum aired was in ABS-CBN last year. Ran 49 episodes.

The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island / Kazoku Robinson Hyōryūki Fushigi na Shima no Furōne (1981)

Journeys of a Swiss family set up in this anime version. The story is based on the novel "Swiss Family Robinson" by Swiss author Johann David Wyss. The big difference between the original novel and the anime is that Fione is a new character in Nippon Animation and not present in original novel. The main characters aside from Fione are the father, mother and four sons who get many adventures from being shipwrecked in the East Indies. They must find the way by being "castaways" and survive in the mysterious island.

I have no clue when is the last time this one aired but ABS-CBN is the one where Swiss Family Robinson shown. With all 50 episodes, I think ABS-CBN didn't finish airing the series.

Lucy of Southern Rainbow / Minami no niji no rūshi or "Southern Rainbow" (1982)

The 1982 adaptation appeared in World Masterpiece Theater series based on the novel Southern Rainbow Phyllis Piddington. A young girl named Lucy and her family encounters a lot of tests and hardships as they from England and Australia to set a new farm. Hiroshi Saito still direct this series like his previous works (Tom Sawyer and Swiss Family Robinson).

GMA did air this one but I'm not sure when is the last time Lucy of the Southern Rainbow aired (unless if Q has any plans to re-air this).

Alps Story: My Annette / Arupusu Monogatari Watashi no Annetto (1983)

This is the fifth entry of World Masterpiece Theater series and was based on a children's book entitled "Treasures of the Snow" by Patricia St. John. 12-year-old Annette lives in the small village in the Alps together with her family and her dear young brother Denis. She has also a best friend named Julien but the crisis came when Julien is responsible for Denis terrible accident. Annette has to find ways to get her strength to forgive Julien, while Julien has to find ways to save Denis and prove his friendship to Annette. Kozo Kusuha is the one who direct Alps Story: My Annette. Isei Takamatsu and Kazuo Takematsu are the character designers for this series while Taizaburou Abe was the background designer.

Alps Story: My Annette was last seen on GMA in the year 2003.

(continue to part 3)

Fantaserye and Telefantasya Strikes Local TV Networks

2009-01-02T05:17:00.021+08:00

Fantaserye and Telefantasya is a genre in Philippine TV drama which mixed both fantasy, soap opera and drama. They usually used in daily evening primetime block. I'm just asking if you remember these posted images which contain telefantasya/fantaserye aired in Philippine TV networks in the previous years? They are all rated PG so children and teenagers have at least no problem to these shows.