timeless feat, Filipino pride

Urduja, the recently successful animated film with an all-Filipino production team opened in theaters last June 18.

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez is the voice behind Urduja

Tony Tuviera, head of APT Production and Urduja’s mega-producer with some the animated films cuddly characters.

"Isinasambit na ng hangin ang iyong pangalan, Urduja..."

last words of Lakampati to Urduja

Urduja's charm: the Kuris flick review

Urduja became an instant timeless artistic creation in the Philippine filmaking history. It's true, the all-Filipino animated film proved to be an innovative feat for both local animators, the creative writers and visionary producers. APT Production's CEO, Mr. Tony Tuviera, the pioneering producer of Eat Bulaga and other television shows as well a notable films succeeded in creating a breakthrough project that embraces both Philippine historical heritage and literary treasures fused with animation pop culture. The product seems to be comparable with Walt Disney's "Mulan-meets-Pocahontas". It raises the dignity of women's role and empowerment in the machismo-sided Philippine society. Urduja relflects the worth of women as equal with men when it comes to wit and leadership. APT risked a lot but I truly believe it was worth it.

Though the screenwriters and the creative production staff have altered parts of Urduja's story, they were great in combining their own twist and modern ideas to make the film more catchy, appealing and charming to the younger audience. Animation was suppose to be for kids, but this time around kids won't be the only genre of moviegoers to get entertained, even the older people will find its love story lovable. The dialogues are crisp, clear and fresh. The creativity of giving life to Urduja's story is relevent to the negative "regionalism attitude" and "kanya-kanya" system of the Filipinos. It is a clear message of unity and hope amid torments of fate. We can get positive values even if it's just a kids stuff animated film.

The animators can't be taken lightly in this project. They have breathe life to the characters of Urduja's saga through their artistic touch and stunning visual artistry. Every movements and scenes in Urduja reminds us how tough it is to give life through our drawings and turn it into animation, I bet they observed American standard of 2D animation (not less than 24 drawings per second, whew!). The costumes are delicately created and drawn with pure passion as well as the stunning backgrounds. Some of them are done in 3D animation like the "sea battle scene" of Lim Hang with the villain Wang. The waterfalls is also mesmerizing to watch. But I realize that Urduja's animation team is composed of various groups of animators since they carry unique names of their studios or group. How we wish we could be part of such huge project someday, hehe! I think their costumes and even the settings are well-researched. One of the highlights of the film is the opening dance and fight sequences of Urduja where she danced "singkil" fused with "Tinikling". The scene was awesone.

Big stars are never far behind the charm of the animated film. In fact, this is Regine Velasquez's first project that gave life to an animated character which shows her powerful songbird voice. She sang the same magical voice and fervor the way we see her in concerts or heard from her popular CDs. Also notable were the impressive performance of Cesar Montano, Eddie Garcia, Micheal V, Allan K, Jay Manalo, Ruby Rodriguez and a lot more powerhouse star cast. Allan K and Micheal V's characters Kukut and Tarsir reminds me of Lion King's "Hakuna Matata".

For the record, Urduja is the second all-Filpino animated film shown in the big screen since Ibong Adarna. It combined both traditional and digital way of making animation. It boosts with impressive storyline, cultural relevance, music and star cast. A truly Filipino pride in animation and we hope it would be given fitting recognition internationally. Believe me, your heart will be tickled with this film.

Animation is getting stronger and bigger in the Philippines these days. We hope we can be part of that breakthrough and innovation in the coming years.

Urduja Cast

• Regine Velasquez - Princess Urduja
• Cesar Montano - Limhang
• Eddie Garcia - Lakanpati
• Jay Manalo - Simakwel
• Johnny Delgado - Wang
• Ruby Rodriguez - Mayumi
• Epy Quizon - Daisuke
• Michael V. - Kukut
• Allan K. - Tarsir

Urduja reviews

“

Though the film was patterned after Disney’s Pocahantas and Mulan, it depicts the Filipinos talent on creating animation and putting it to work. This isn’t bad at all as it will be a start of a more creative filming’s in the movie industry and more educational local animation from the Philippines.

”

- paraisophilippines.com

“

... trailer of a new Filipino Animation, which I’d rather call “Filipino Anime” - Urduja, it is so good we were shocked its completely Filipino made, we thought it was a dubbed version of another country’s legend but it is about the Philippines!

”

- Shixi XIE