Who is Niňo?

Well, the name sounds like “Sto. Niňo” when Jesus Christ was a boy. It somehow you remind you of that cute little boy whom your religious grandma or mom taught you to offer your first little prayer before you sleep each night.
During the annual Dinagyang Festival every last Sunday of January, you used to see the image of this little boy raised by an Ati Warrior during the climax or at the end of their synchronized tribe performances, right? Truly, the image of Jesus Christ when he was a boy in the religious realm is miraculous and has change pagan civilizations into Christianity hundreds of years ago in the Philippines. We, the Ilonggos and our fellow Filipinos are offspring of that historical transition that has shaped our destiny as a people.
The holy child symbolizes innocence, undying hope, optimism and compassion to its believers. His presence every year makes Iloilo City’s cultural and tourism festivity truly lively, significant and spirited.
But in our modern world plagued by economic depression, poverty and other social ills that makes life harsh, Niňo walk the streets of Iloilo City with queries on how his humble life should be lived with a purpose and understand the meaning of life. He doesn’t bother to think who won the election a few months ago, dreaming to own an expensive toy or latest cellphone model, live in a comfy home or asking about why having lots of money makes life better. He only wants to see the beauty of the day as it touches the wet cold street wherein he will sleep in torn pages of newspapers tonight, fill his tummy with food to get over the day, see people smiling as they pass by or visit the church everyday to pray. His dreams are simple, his prayers has always been tireless and his sweet voice exudes compassion.
This is the story of Niňo who never gets tired walking in the streets of Iloilo looking for a piece of life and reason to go on. His simple journey will lead to the rediscovery of a forgotten historical and cultural legacy most Ilonggos missed to understand. He befriended Fr. Achilles of San Jose Church and met someone like him who has nothing to give much but only love.
Meet Niňo and his new friend in the First Animated Short Film of Iloilo City’s greatest cultural and tourism gem...prepare for the coming of “The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang” this January at the region’s ultimate shopping and entertainment destination, SM City Iloilo.
For further inquiries, you may call KURIS Animation Unlimited or Ilonggohit Animation Studio at (033) 5080186 or text us at 09184822338 or 09274976748. Email us at kurisanimators@yahoo.com or check us at www.kurisanimation.blogspot.com

The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang is still open for sponsorship

The greatest cultural and tourism gem of Iloilo City will finally have its first animated short film aptly titled “The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang” slated for public pre-screening and viewing at the region’s ultimate shopping and entertainment destination, SM City Iloilo on January 2008.
KURIS Animation Unlimited and Ilonggohit Animation Studio composed of multi-talented Ilonggo animators will create another cultural milestone and leave a lasting mark in history through this significant project. The animated short will unveil the history and origin of Dinagyang Festival, its undefined connection to the legendary “Barter of Panay” and the Christianization of Cebu through the holy Sto. Niňo. This project is proudly presented by Western Visayas College of Science and Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Iloilo, Dinagyang Foundation, Inc., SM City Iloilo and Museo-Iloilo.
You can be one of the dynamic sponsors for this significant project by reaching us not later than December 10, 2007. We have a good marketing team to respond and offer Sponsorship Packages by emailing us at kurisanimators@yahoo.com, text us at 09184822338, 09274976748 or call us at (033) 5090186. Check us at www.kurisanimation.blogspot.com

Sponsorship open for Dinagynag animated short film

Kuris and Ilonggohit Animators’ presents “The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang”

After 40 years of highlighting the excellence of Ilonggo cultural heritage and mesmerizing the world, Dinagyang Festival will finally become larger than life with the making of its first animated short film about its cultural and historical origin through the promising talents of Kuris Animators.
The Second Batch of Ilonggo Animators that recently graduated at SM City Iloilo last October 19 were President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s scholars under its visionary Training for Work Scholarship Program implemented by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region VI in partnership with Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) and Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc (ACPI).
While waiting for the series of examinations to be given by ACPI after graduation, this dynamic group of animators aimed to use their artistic gifts to promote the cultural heritage and tourism potentials of Iloilo Province. Armed with passion and equipped with creative minds, they realize that Dinagyang Festival, refuted as the “Best festival and world-famous tourism attraction in the Philippines” should be retold about its glorious origin and given a new historical significance through animation.
In their quest to make this important project historically accurate and valid, they sought the help of Dinagyang Foundation’s active Director, Ben Jimena who willingly presented his well-researched and profoundly-written article entitled “Anachronism-The Barter, The Baptism and The Bequest”. The animators themselves were in inspired and gained a new sense of direction after with the origins story came in.
Through a series of hectic brainstorming and conference, the animators represented by Ronelo Ladiao and Diosdado Aguilar, Jr. with the assistance of their former animation instructor, Paul Pinuela they drafted the final concept story of the project based on Ben Jimena’s article. Aptly titled “The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang”, the animator’s themselves planned the project with eagerness and divided the team that would replicate a real animation studio. Sharing the same dream and creative ideas, the night class from the first batch of Ilonggo animators renamed their group as “Ilonggohit” already have their own animation studio at Burgos St. La Paz, Iloilo City decided to merge their talents with them. Together, they work hand-in-hand in designing the main characters, conceptualized the animated scenes, established a strong marketing arm and innovate the project by combining 2D and 3D animation (though they were supposedly trained for 2D animation).
Upon realizing the cultural impact and historical significance of the project to the Ilonggo community, Western Visayas College of Science and Technology, their training center close to the animators’ hearts, TESDA-Iloilo with positive encouragement from the Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. and the region’s ultimate shopping landmark, SM City Iloilo expressed their outmost support as the project presentors.
This project symbolizes the cultural identity of the world-renowned Ilonggo festival and will correct the copycat-misconceptions of Dinagyang from another well-established festival, the Ati-atihan Festival of Aklan. In the story concept, Dinagyang is historically, religiously and culturally connected to the beginning of Ati-atihan through the legendary “Barter of Panay” and during the Christianization of Cebu through the holy child Jesus or Sto. Nino. The animated short film which has an initial duration of not more than 10 minutes will provide a clear reminisce of the glorious past, inspire more Ilonggos to be proud of their identity and its succeeding generations, strengthen the tourism and cultural appeal of the festival with the aspiration to become “larger than life”.
Likewise, the animators are excited to inject vigor, rhythm and energy replicating the modern face of Dinagyang Festival when it comes to synchronized street dancing in form of animation, something that tickles their imagination and challenge their artistic talents. Presently, they are dedicating most of their untapped potentials to bring out the best in each of them to weave a breakthrough animated short film that would surely leave a lasting mark in the Ilonggo history. For sure, the project will become a genuine testimony that Ilonggos are capable to shine in the expanding global animation industry and let the world know that they have real talents to show.
“The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang” is slated for public pre-screening and viewing on the third week of January 2008 at SM City Iloilo for free wherein Dinagyang enthusiasts will have the chance to purchase must-have souvenir items and glimpse of other animated works done by the animators who were involve in the project.
Inspired by this article? You can be one of the dynamic sponsors for this significant project. You may reach you us not later than December 10, 2007. We have a good marketing team to respond and offer Sponsorship Packages by emailing us at kurisanimators@yahoo.com, text us at 09184822338, 09274976748 or call us at (033) 5090186. Check us at www.kurisanimation.blogspot.com

KINARTON at Museo Iloilo
Astonishing success for the first Ilonggo animation exhibit


“Ilonggos ready for the world for the world of animation”
With the astonishing success of “KINARTON”, the first Ilonggo animation exhibit that formally opened at Museo Iloilo last November 29, 2007 at 5pm, the three promising groups of animators namely KURIS Animation Unlimited, Ilonggohit Animation Studio and Dimbox Animation proved that Ilonggo talents and artistry has a big future in the world of the expanding animation industry.
Visitors, tourists and students already flocked to see the stunning artworks and animated projects of these talented souls prior the official opening of the exhibit last November 24. Most of the art enthusiasts that visited the exhibit have already bought souvenir items sold by the animators in the exhibit area.
These gifted Ilonggo animators are proud products of Professional 2D Assistant Animators Training through President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Training for Work Scholarship Program implemented by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region VI with Western Visayas College of Science and Technology and Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc.
Ilonggohit Animation Studio and Dimbox Animation are animators from the first batch that undergone training last November 2006 until April this year. KURIS Animation Unlimited is the second batch of animators that started their training last April and graduated last October 19 at SM City Iloilo.
The opening program started at 5pm with inspiring messages from significant officials of TESDA, WVCST and City Government of Iloilo. City Councilor Joe Espinosa III, Mayor Jerry Trenas represented by Francis Cruz cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the exhibit. Art lovers and visitors were amazed to have a glimpse of the artworks and the animated projects of these dynamic Ilonggo animators. The audience gave a loud applause to the astonishing and creative animated presentations of Kuris Animation Unlimited which includes “Kuris Universe”, a glimpse of their original animated characters, “The Adventures of Tasi”, a short teaser of the first animated short film of Dinagyang Festival entitled “The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang” and a trailer of their upcoming entry for ACPI’s Animahenasyon 2008 entitled “Lapis: Epic of the Key”, a fusion of 2D and 3D animation. Ilonggohit Animation Studio also unveiled their past projects that included the legendary “Barter of Panay” and a short trailer of “Medalyon”. Likewise, Dimbox Animation proudly presented their recent entry for ACPI’s Animahenasyon 2007, the trailer of “The Legend of Tibud”.
Veteran journalist Florence Hibionada hosted the program while Ilonggo tribal musical group Maharlikang Bahandi Band performed a special guest performance that made the event culturally significant.
Support Ilonggo animators and their dream to succeed, visit Museo Iloilo and have a glimpse of their stunning works, check out must-have animation souvenir items and get a creative henna tattoo drafted by the animators themselves from November 24 until December 24.

SM City to hold graduation of Ilonggo animators

SM City Iloilo to hold graduation of Ilonggo animators

Published in The Daily Guardian, The News Today, The Daily Informer and Sunstar Iloilo


SM City Iloilo, the region’s premier shopping and entertainment mall will be the venue of the graduation ceremony of the second batch of Ilonggo animators on October 5, 2007 at 2PM.
The Professional Assistant (2D) Animation course was one of the breakthrough projects of President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo and Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) Region VI in partnership with Animation Council of the Philippines (ACPI) and Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) to provide globally competitive employment for many aspiring Ilonggo animators. After more than six months of hectic training to become expert 2D animators focusing in In-Betweens (IB) and Clean-ups (CU), the 25 promising Ilonggo animators that made up the second batch of TESDA/WVCST scholars will finally receive their certificate of completion at the Activity Center of SM City Iloilo. Equipped with knowledge and skills about animation, the new breed of Ilonggo animators are all set to showcase not only their group project entitled “The Adventures of Tasi” (a story of WVCST statue who became a real boy for a day) but also their animated individual projects that would definitely highlight their creativity and God-given talents through a widescreen presentation. The second batch of Ilonggo animators already named their group as “KURIS”, a Hiligaynon terminology that means “rough sketches” reflecting their passion for animation which all started in raw scribble of pencils to form animated characters or figures with the help of a lightbox and animation papers. Similarly, they wanted to establish an Ilonggo name for their group to propagate cultural pride and interest in animation among their fellow Ilonggo artists.
The first batch of Ilonggo animators that graduated last April this year will also showcase their entries for the ACPI National Animation Contest entitled “Medalyon”, “Kamalig” “Barter of Panay” from APEX and “Legend of Tibud” from Dimbox. Likewise, the upcoming third batch of Ilonggo animators selected by ACPI and TESDA will come over to receive their scholarship certificates. Notable officers from TESDA, ACPI, Provincial and City government will grace the important affair to provide moral support to upcoming Ilonggo animators who continuously carving a name for Iloilo as the next animation hub in the country.
So come over and attend this special event to know why Ilonggo animators are truly the next big thing in the animation industry!

Ilonggo animators aim high

Ilonggo 2D Animators aim high
By Ronelo Ladiao

Published in
Iloilo
Citylocal newspapers: The News Today, Sunstar Iloilo,The daily Guardian, The Daily Informer, News Express and Yuhum Newsmagazine.

“There’s no better life than living your lifelong passion,” says 21-year-old Robert Lorenz Gustilo, one of the 35 talented graduating second batch of Professional Assistant 2D Animation scholars at Western Visayas College of Science and Technology. Like the rest of his fellow animators born with unique gifts, Robert is both skilled to draw Anime (Japanese style of animation or Manga), realistic or portraiture and has interest in doing Western or American style of animation (inspired by Walt Disney, Looney Tunes, Cartoon Network, Marvel or DC Comics).
Since last year, this breakthrough project that geared towards the empowerment of the upcoming Ilonggo animators was a visionary effort of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) under the leadership of its Secretary General Augusto “Boboy” Syjuco in collaboration with the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI). With TESDA’s effort to provide effective programs and employment opportunities to many less privilege Filipinos, the 3-months Professional Assistant 2D Animation was included in the list of courses they presently offered. TESDA is responsible in accepting applicants with potentials in 2D Animation after they passed the level 1 examination provided by ACPI that decides who among them will be granted with scholarships. As TESDA’s scholars, these youngblood Ilonggo animators were also given the privilege to be called as “president’s scholars” since this is one of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s major priority to provide better job opportunities and alleviate poverty according to TESDA-Iloilo Director, Lorena Yunque.
After completing the course requirements and graduation, the scholars will be given a series of examinations by ACPI to choose who among them will be absorbed for employment or recommend to some international animation companies abroad.
The first batch of 2D Animators composed of day and night class had undergone training since November last year and graduated last April 11 this year are already starting their career by accepting freelance projects that involves advertising and commercials.
“As 2D Animators, it is our goal to promote the Ilonggo talent globally which I believe could open a doorway for better jobs to many aspiring animators,” says the 20-year-old Marx Ydroy Silva, member of APEX Animation and Creative Studios. For him, patience and perseverance works well when you’re an animator since it involves hard work and sleepless nights to finish even just a 5-minute animation. Their newly-founded animation studio is composed of day class animators from the first batch of graduates who are all are busy finishing their entries (entitled “Kamalig” and “Medalyon”) for ACPI 2D Animation contest next month. The first batch group project, an animation version of the historical “Barter of Panay” recently gained attention on national TV due to its cultural relevance, highlighting the promising potential of the Ilonggos in the expanding animation industry.
Likewise, the second batch of 2D Animators that started their training last April this year will hopefully graduate later this month. Supposedly, they are only required to be trained in In-betweening (IB) and Clean-up (CU) tasks that are both involve in only one department of an animation studio out of 10. But their animation instructors decided to train them further in scriptwriting, storyboard-making, character creation, digital inking (involves using Adobe Photoshop for coloring and Cartoon Television Program or CTP for line testing), and composting (combining of scenes) that makes up the whole 10 departments.
Presently, the second batch of animators is stretching their patience and talents by finishing a group project which is a 5-minute fantasy-inspired yet informative animation of WVCST symbolic statue aside from their respective individual projects. The plot of their group project will revolve around the adventures of TASI (reverse of ISAT, old name of WVCST) inside the school after he was turned into a real boy for one day. On the other hand, their individual projects will involve each one of them to create their own cartoon character, script, and storyboard and animates it. They were even preparing to make their own entries for ACPI later this year and had already started to build a website to post their outputs. Some of them are planning to pursue advance 3D animation after graduation.
“Though animation takes years of training before you can master this craft, our 3-months 2D Animation course inspired us to pursue our continuous training even after graduation with hopes to prove our worth,” 24-year-old Leonard Salvarino uttered while finishing his drawings on top of his lightbox (a bulb-lighted-wooden-box with round plastic flatform used by animators in drawing). As the elected president of night class animators, he never gets tired reminding his classmates about their project deadlines and inspiring them to work together.
Likewise, the day class of second batch animators always looks up to 19-year-old Jonah Buenvenida when it comes to decision making and suggestions how to improve their outputs as their class president. With his passion and optimism for this craft, he has these sensible words to share: “I believe Ilonggo animators are unique because we have a rich cultural heritage that could inspire us in animating wonderful stories, historical events, folklore and legends. Ilonggos are also diligent, hardworking and creative”.
For Bryan Jandonero, an 18-year-old computer programming student has decided to quit schooling for a while just to focus his attention in 2DAnimation. For him, becoming an animator is tough and challenging.
“Imagine this; I need to draw 24 frames of step-by-step action to animate a cartoon character every second required in a Western or American style of animation to make the movement smooth after it is scanned and line-tested in the computer. But for Japanese Anime, it is much easier to draw because it only requires four frames per second,” he quips while sharpening his pencil.
“But they say we need to adapt to the Western style of animation because this is much more in-demand and profitable these days among Filipino animators,” he added.
“Aside from having an opportunity to express our creativity, I enjoy our bonding and friendship that will make us stronger to face any challenges that will come our way,” reveals Janelyn Minerva of day class, a 21-year-old Information Technology student of WVCST. Aside from enjoying her usual responsibility in the scanning department, she also takes charge of making sure his batchmates had their snacks and coffee especially during late evenings of working together at school.
WVCST community as an educational institution has already proven its outmost trust and confidence to the excellence of Ilonggo artists never fails to show full support to this worthwhile project that will put not only the
provinceof
Iloilobut the whole
Western Visayasin the limelight. This project will not be realized and succeed without the active support of WVCST administrators headed by Dr. Luis Sorolla, Jr. (President), Dr. Marjorie Caipang (Vice President for Academics), Prof. Edwin Fos (Vice President for Administration) and the whole faculty and staff.
Though it takes a lot of courage, patience and passion to teach, the WVCST Computer Department led by Maureen Nettie Navarrosa (Department Head), Rolly Gambol (Project Manager), and 2D Animator Instructors Randy Tolentino, Maricel Blitanas, Paul Penuela, Carlo Sira, Manfred Von Magat and Roslin John Robles never hesitated to give a sense of direction for these upcoming Ilonggo animators. Presently, there are already more than 80 2D Animators that included the first and the graduating second batch to work for a special project in the near future.
With today’s growing popularity of Filipinos in 2D animation internationally, foreign animation companies are determined on hiring Filipino animators due to their competitive quality of works. In fact, Filipino animators had contributed a lot in some
Hollywoodanimation movies and cartoon series in the past but were not given proper credit or recognition.
Now with the present boosting of Filipino talents in the animation industry, the Ilonggo animators in particular, are starting up something good and catching up with the challenges of globalization.
Every dream has always been entailed with sacrifices and risks before it can be fulfilled. But after a dreamer proved its worth, he will finally realize that every dream is worth fighting for at the end of the day.
But for now, these hopeful Ilonggo 2D Animators needs to spend more sleepless nights making their imaginations come alive, keep their pencils sharp and stay beside their lightbox if they wanted to bring their lifelong passion to the next level.

welcome

Dear friends and fellow art enthusiasts,

This is now the official blog site of Kuris Animation Unlimited or simply called Kuris Animators. We are the second batch of 2D animation graduates from Western Visayas College of Science and Technology and scholars of PGMA-Training for Work Program implemented by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region VI and Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. We are proud 2D animators from Iloilo City, Philippines.
This will serve as our newsletter webpage about the past and present projects of the group, profiles, infos and latest news. There will be trailer teasers and links to our animated works. We hope you enjoy visiting our webpage.
We will launch a bigger website soon.
Thanks for hanging around and supporting the excellence of Ilonggo animators.


Kuris Animators