By Marjorie Gorospe
INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — “Dayo” literally means foreigner or stranger in Filipino.
Dayo is also the title of a first full-length animated film entry in the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival. It is Filipino-made.
Dayo is story about a boy named Bubuy who goes on a quest to save his grandparents kidnapped by enchanted beings and held captive in mystical land called Elementalia.
Robert Quilao, the director of Dayo, said the characters in the story were inspired by Filipino legend and culture.
Filipino mythological creatures like the Manananggal (a half-bodied vampire-like creature), Tikbalang (half-man, half horse creature), Kapre (giant hairy creature who smokes a giant tobacco pipe) are characters that have been added in the animated film.
But to add twist to the film, the infamous Manananggal becomes a Manananggol (Savior) and helps Bubuy save his grandparents.
“People that I know from other countries say we have a rich culture so why not make use of it,” Quilao said.
Dayo hopes to become a vehicle for introducing Filipino culture to the world, as the creators plan to showcase this animated film in other counties. “We have inquiries from South American countries,” Quilao added.
Dayo has already opened opportunities for local animators. For years, foreign production houses come up with concepts and outsource work to local talents.
“Now, we have our own concept and our own pool of talents which really deserves support from fellow Filipinos,” sad executive producer Jessie Lasaten.
The animated film has tapped local artists to do voices for the main characters.
Nova Villa (Lola Nita), Pokwang (yaya manananggal of Anna), Michael V.(Narsi), Laurice Guillen (diwata/bruha), Peque Gallaga (Nano), Johnny Delgado (Carpio), Gabe Mercado (Jo), Noel Trinidad, and the lead role Bubuy was voiced by Nash Aguas and Anna voiced by Katrina “Hopia” Legaspi were among the local artists who have became part of the film.
Producing Dayo has cost about $1.3 million, which according to Lasaten, is still cheap compared to Hollywood animated productions.
Produced by Cutting Edge Productions, Lasaten said financial constraints did not deter them from doing this full-length animated film. The film was finished in two years, and as Lasaten puts it, it was “a gamble” at that time.
Dayo is now part of the official entries in the 34th Metro Manila Film Fest.
“[This] is a good start,” Quilao said, referring to the animated movie.
Dayo has recently received an “A” grading from the Cinema Evaluation Board because of the positive values it promotes and its “stunning” production.
January 10th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Previously, Filipino animators worked with Disney, Warner, Fox, and other US studios, as well as for Japanese animation studios who outsource some of the work to locally-based production offices (one example is Toei Animation Philippines).
Dayo might as well a proper start for the local animation industry, to show that we can do something for our own country.
January 6th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
pinaka talaga ang pinoy kahit saan, bigyan mo ng mike babanat agad yan ng kanta hehe ilaban mo sa pinakamagaling na boksingero taob sila hahaha paartehin mo sa entablado o kahit anu pa pagawa mo panis sila lahat wahahaha!
January 1st, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I’m proud of it. Sana magtuloy-tuloy and animation industry dito sa Pinas.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:42 am
Filipino must support this film. I like this film as well…
December 29th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Government must support local animation companies and should provide incentives to encourage more investment. It is through animation we can penetrate the global market for movies. The more Filipino companies will succeed in the global market means more corporate taxes for the government to be used for public services such education, health, infrastructures, etc. Viva Dayo!!!