Dayo Movie

Dayo goes to UP!

2009-01-14T11:05:00.000-08:00

If you missed Dayo during the Metro Manila Film Festival 2008, you can catch Cutting Edge Productions' animated film Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia at the UP Film Institute (UP Diliman) on the following dates:

January 13 (Tuesday) - 2 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM
January 14 (Wednesday) - 2 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM
January 15 (Thursday) - 2 PM
January 16 (Friday) - 2 PM
January 17 (Saturday) - 2 PM, 5 PM
January 19 (Monday) - 2 PM, 5 PM
January 20 (Tuesday) - 2 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM
January 21 (Wednesday) - 2 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM
January 22 (Thursday) - 2 PM, 7 PM

MMFF 2008 Awards Winners

2009-01-01T02:25:00.000-08:00

Here are the winners of the recently concluded Metro Manila Film Festival 2008 held last December 27, 2008 at the Sofitel Hotel.

Best Director - Mark Meily (Baler)
Best Screenplay - Baler
Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award - Antonio Villegas (Baler)
Best Supporting Actress - Manilyn Reynes (One Night Only)
Best Supporting Actor - Philip Salvador (Baler)
Best Actor - Christopher De Leon (Magkaibigan)
Best Actress - Anne Curtis (Baler)
3rd Best Festival Picture - Iskul Bukol 20 Years After
2nd Best Festival Picture - Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat
Best Picture - Baler
Best Cinematography - Lee Meily (Baler)
Best Production Design - Aped Santos (Baler)
Best Editing - Danny Anonuevo (Baler)
Best Visual Effects - Robert Quilao (Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia)
Best Musical Score - Jessie Lasaten (Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia)
Best Theme Song - “Lipad” by Jessie Lasaten and Artemio Abad Jr., performed by Lea Salonga (Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia)
Best Sound - Albert Idioma and Wally Dellosa (Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia)
Best Original Story - Jose Javier Reyes (One Night Only)
Best Child Performer - Robert Villar (”Shake, Rattle, and Roll X”)
Noli Villalobos - Best Make-Up (”Desperadas 2″)

Congratulations to Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia for winning four awards at the MMFF Awards including Best Visual Effects, Best Musical Score, Best Theme Song and Best Sound. Let's support Dayo and Philippine animation by watching the film!

Bloggers review "Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia"

2008-12-20T22:02:00.000-08:00

Photo by Ada

Bloggers were invited to the red carpet premiere night of 'Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia' last friday, December 19, 2008. Watch the video of Dayo reviews right after the premiere ended at the SM Megamall cinemas 9 and 10. Some of the bloggers present were Aerin, Monch, Trix, Sire, , Jonel , Ed Arevalo, Nan , Gab, Juned, Fritz, Karla Redor, Sha Ang, Billycoy , Ada and yours truly, Poyt.

Video care of Azrael

Here are some links to some of the bloggers' reviews. If you were able to watch the premiere and was able to write your review on Dayo, feel free to leave a comment with your link on your blog post!

‘Dayo’ is official entry to 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival
Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia Review
Azrael's Dayo Movie Review by Azrael Coladilla
Dayo Premiere Nightby Jonel Uy
Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia: A Must Watch Movie at the MMFF by Sha Ang
Witnessing a Filipino Digital Animation Breakthrough: Dayo by Ed Arevalo
MMFF 2008: Dayo movie reviewby Faith Salazar
Cutting Edge’s Christmas Gift to you: Dayoby Karla Redor
Kaya ng Filipino Lumipad.. A Dayo Review by Anton Diaz
Review: Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia
Movie Review: Dayo (2008) by Regnard Raquedan
2008 MMFF : Dayo Movie Review
Review: Dayo by Juned Sonido
MMFF Entry 2008 - “Dayo” Animated Movie
Filipino animated film "Dayo", Highly Recommended
MMFF Entry 2008 - "Dayo Animated Movie

New Dayo Movie Posters!

2008-12-17T20:45:00.000-08:00

Here are new Dayo movie posters made by Eric Cabahug!

Dayo Movie Poster with Bubuy, Anna, Narsi, Vhicky and Toti

Ngayong Pasko, magwawala ang mga lamang-lupa.

Kakaiba ang silent night ngayong

Michael V. is Narsi - DA CHIKBALANG.

Pokwang is Vhicky - DA YAYANANGGAL.

Meet the voices behind 'Dayo'

2008-12-14T04:58:00.000-08:00

Cutting Edge productions brought together the finest voice actors in the Philippine entertainment industry to jazz up Dayo's animated characters. At a last week's press conference at Ratsky's Tomas Morato, Dayo voice actors Nash Aguas, Katrina Legazpi, Peque Gallaga, Nova Villa and Pocholo Gonzales showed what you should expect to hear when you decide to catch "Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia."

It looks like everyone really enjoyed doing voice recording for Dayo although it was a first for everyone excluding Pocholo Gonzales, who has been working as a voice actor and director for thirteen years. Nash (Bubuy) and Katrina (Anna) thought like they were just playing in the recording studio and that they had no difficulty recording their parts because they identified with the character. While Peque Gallaga, a multi-awarded actor and director who made Lolo Nano's (the sage) character come alive, had a hard time doing with the recording and thanks that he had good directors to help him. Nova Villa is Lola Nita, Bubuy's caring grandmother. Pocholo Gonzales mimics news anchor Mike Enriquez to do the voice of Toti, one of Anna's bodyguards. He also voiced another villain in the movie (a tree) that will come as a surprise as the plot unfolds.

Here are the voice actors of Dayo showing the press a preview of the amazing things to come on Christmas Day.

Actors Michael V. also played a narcissistic cool rocker tikbalang (Narsi), Noel Trinidad as Bubuy's grandfather Lolo Meong, Johnny Delgado as Carpio (Anna's father), Laurice Guillen as the kapre and the Diwata/Bruha, Gabe Mercado as one of Anna's bodyguards Jo, and Pokwang as Vicky, Anna's nanny manananggal.

Dayo OST now released!

2008-12-10T23:35:00.000-08:00

Dayo's soundtrack hits stores today with 28 audio tracks - 6 of these are sung by artists like Lea Salonga, Moymoy Palaboy, Juan Lunar, Noel Cabangon, Jay Durias and Roots of Nature. The rest of the tracks are from Dayo's Original Music Score - one of the songs was performed by Joey Ayala. The CD also includes 3 music videos. Go and visit your local music stores and buy a Dayo soundtrack for just 285PHP!

Moymoy Palaboy

Roots of Nature

Music Videos

1. "Lipad" by Lea Salonga with FILharmoniKA
2. "Kapit" by Moymoy Palaboy
3. "Lipad" by Roots of Nature

Audio Tracks

1. "Lipad" by Lea Salonga with FILharmoniKA
2. "Kapit" by Moymoy Palaboy
3. "Daybreak" by Juan Lunar
4. "Kasalo at Kasuyo" by Noel Cabangon
5. "Pang-surprise" by Jay Durias
6. "Lipad" by Roots of Nature

Dayo Movie Original Music Score
1. "School Fair"
2. "Bubuy's theme"
3. "Last Supper"
4. "Tree on Fire"
5. "Left Alone"
6. "Two Creatures Meet"
7. "Toti and Vicky"
8. "Cemetery Chase"
9. "Elementalia" performed by Joey Ayala
10. "Nano's House"
11. "Getting to Know"
12. "Nano's Chant"
13. "Adventure Begins"
14. "Salidumay"
15. "Alitubi"
16. "Father's Love"
17. "Alikupuy"
18. "The Rescue"
19. "Hal-lan"
20. "The Hero Rises"
21. "Safe and Sound"
22. "Peace Offering"

Jessie Lasaten, multi-awarded film music composer and executive producer of “Dayo,” weaves magic this time complementing the digital animated film with an ensemble of an all-Filipino musical talent and the use of indigenous instruments. Providing for a multi-sensorial treat to audiences of all ages, “Dayo’s” soundtrack highlights the rendition of world-renowned performer Lea Salonga of the movie’s theme song, “Lipad.” Her version of “Lipad” and the whole film score were recorded together with the FILharmoniKA under the baton of Gerard Salonga.

Aside from Lea’s inspirational version, upcoming band Roots of Nature sang an upbeat version of “Lipad.” This is currently released on the airwaves under the Sony BMG label.

Several notable artists also rendered their artistry for the completion of “Dayo’s” sound. Among them was Moymoy Palaboy singing "Kapit," a song about friendship. New band Juan Lunar performed "Daybreak," a song about being there for someone when they need you most.
“We have music that combines full orchestral instrumentation with the ethnic instruments of Joey Ayala. I've composed new themes for the major characters. In terms of scoring the scenes, I've combined orchestral score with Filipino ethnic instruments especially when Bubuy enters Elementalia. We asked Joey to sing the Elementalia Dayo song as well as have him perform his "hegalong " a two-string lute instrument. He also played kubing (jaw harp), kulintang (ethnic gong), and nose flute which added texture to the score in the Elementalia scenes,” narrates Jessie about the extent of his team’s efforts in coming up with the movie’s full soundtrack. This multi-faceted musical scoring will guarantee to carry the viewers from one scene to the next, bridging animation and real life.

Lea Salonga sings Dayo theme "Lipad" live (with video)

2008-12-06T15:58:00.000-08:00

Video by Pinoycentric

Lea Salonga has been hired by Disney and other production companies to do voice and animation that she has become a household name. Among these productions are Aladdin (as Jasmine), Mulan (as Mulan's singing voice) and My Neighbor Totoro (as the Mother). Everyone's excited to hear Lea sing the theme song live - almost everyone took out their cameras and started recording her sing at one of Dayo's press conferences last Thursday at Discovery Suites.

Someone asked Lea what differs the project she's done for Dayo with her other projects like Mulan and Aladdin. She said that she had to project more with voice acting - for Dayo, Lea said she just had to "believe every word I'm singing". Very timely for Filipinos as it will hopefully up the bar for animation as an industry.

Gerry Salonga is also involved in this project as the conductor of the 35-piece FILharmoniKA Orchestra which recorded the whole soundtrack of the movie.

Here are some note-worthy and amusing questions from the media during the press conference:

Won't other children abroad get scared of the "manananggal" on the film?

Dayo's Musical director Jessie Lasaten says that animation is usually made to showcase culture and Dayo is the perfect opportunity for Filipinos to show the international community the rich culture we have. The concept behind Anna's (the girl manananggal) character was inspired from the different species of bats - a fruit bat to be more exact. There are manananggals who eat human flesh while there are others, like Anna, that are vegetarians.

If you do subtitles for international release, how will you translate "manananggal"?

Director Robert Quilao says that they haven't really thought about it and maybe they can translate mananaggal as a "self-decapitating creature."

What do you call the kind of animation used in this film?

Jessie Lasaten says they call this cross between 2d and 3d animation as "tradigital" animation. They used the same software and equipment as the animators at Pixar.

How much did the production of Dayo cost:

Robert Quilao estimated the project to cost 1.7 MILLION USD - and he said that it's pretty cheap. And right now, the projected cost is still changing because they're bringing the whole film to Technicolor Thailand to make it at par with international standards - a 7.1 conversion outcome which is a first for a Filipino-made movie.

Related links:
PINOYCENTRIC: Video: Lea Salonga Sings Dayo theme "Lipad"
YEHEY: Lea Salonga inspires in “Lipad”
PHILSTAR: Lea Salonga sings theme song of RP animated film 'Dayo'
PEP: Lea Salonga sings theme song of MMFF entry Dayo

Another first for Lea Salonga

2008-12-06T15:43:00.000-08:00

Another first for Lea Salonga

Everyone knows who Lea Salonga is. If not, they have probably spent the last decade or so in a deep, dark hole in the middle of nowhere.

But just for the record – Lea Salonga is the first Filipina to ever star in a West End and Broadway production [Miss Saigon of course] and the first Filipina to ever win international theater accolades including the most prestigious award in British theatre, the Laurence Olivier Award, the Antoinette Perry or the Tony Awards for Excellence in Theatre, the Drama Desk Award, the Outer Critics Circle Awards and the Theatre World Award.

Lea was also the first Asian to play Eponine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway.

All these firsts make Lea a veritable First Lady in the world of theatre – and I do mean world!

Now this theater Titan, adds another first to her list. She is singing the theme song, “Lipad,” of the upcoming Filipino animated feature “Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia.” Though Lea has been the singing voice in animated films before - Princess Jasmine and Mulan in Disney’s Aladdin and Mulan respectively – this is the first time she is singing for a Filipino animated production.

It’s rather fitting really because “Dayo” is also a first in itself! This breakthrough full-length, fully digital animated film feature is the first of its kind in Philippine cinematic history.

“Dayo” is about a boy named Bubuy who goes to save his grandparents who have been abducted by enchanted beings and are being held prisoner in mystical land called Elementalia. He is aided and abetted by other fantastical and mythical creatures from Philippine mythology in his quest.
When asked why she agreed to sing the film’s theme song, Lea replies, “I had a feeling this was going to be something pretty important… given the technology it employs in order to make the film… given that the story is about facing your fears and conquering obstacles and doing something great for somebody that you love and making your own dreams come true… there’s adventure in it, there’s comedy in it … Why wouldn’t I be part of something like this?”

Why not indeed? And the fact that it is an all-Filipino, all-original production is a plus for Lea. “It feels great to do something for a Filipino company, singing a Filipino song for a Filipino fully animated film. Its something that I can say, ‘This came from my country and I’m proud of this show’ … so to be part of something like this is very special.”

The theme song, “Lipad,” composed by Jessie Lasaten and Temi Abad, Jr. and recorded with the FILharmoniKA, conducted by Gerard Salonga, has a very special message as well.

“The song Lipad, when looked at and listened to on its most basic level, is a song of inspiration,” enthuses Lea. “The main character is encouraged to overcome his fears for a greater good. However, on a deeper level, it's a song of inspiration to everyone that hears the song: to our animators and artists to fly high and reach their dreams, to our people to dream big and achieve their goals, and to anyone that has any fear that they perhaps might be unable to make their lives better, to ‘dream it, and make it happen.’ ‘Basta't kaya mong isipin, kaya mong gawin’ is one line from the song, and I believe that anyone can make their dreams comes true, starting with a wish.”

And that’s a message Lea is well qualified to impart. After all, she is someone who has had many of her dreams come true and still continues to fly high!

“Lipad” composer Lasaten agrees wholeheartedly that Lea is the ideal choice to interpret his composition. “Lea's rendition is just how we've imagined it would be for the first flying scene of Bubuy and Anna. It's perfect and inspiring!”

And why not – after all, Lea is FIRST!

“Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia” is co-presented by Frootees, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog and Mister Donut. The film is also supported by Ascorbic Acid Ceelin, Crispy Fry Breading Mix, Enervon Bright Brand, Timezone, FUJI YKL, Inquirer.net, Yehey.com, ClicktheCity.com, Animation Council of the Philippines, Toon Boom, Wacom, Woodpecker Studio and New Media.

Dayo Cast Mall Tours

2008-11-29T08:41:00.000-08:00

Even though Dayo is produced by a budding production company, Cutting Edge, it will include some of the most brilliant Filipino actors like Laurice Guillen, Peque Gallaga, Nova Villa, Noel Trinidad, Pokwang and Michael V. You might not agree that Pokwang is a brilliant voice actor though - just wait until you see her as a manananggal on the movie!

If you want to catch these actors in the flesh to promote Dayo, you can refer to this schedule:

December 1 - Mall Tour: Roots of Nature, Market, Market, 3PM,
December 6-7 - Mall Tour: Pokwang, SM North Edsa
December 11 - Voices Press Conference: The whole cast, Ratsky's QC
December 12 - Mall Tour: Glorietta
December 13-14 - Mall Tour: SM Megamall
December 18 - Mall Tour: SM Cebu
December 20-21 - Mall Tour: Mall of Asia

3d artists for Dayo

2008-11-19T04:40:00.000-08:00

As Dayo the movie is nearing its completion, an additional room has been added to the Cutting Edge Production office to accommodate a team of artists to give the film that 3d feel. The 3d team is from Cutting Edge's sister company, Woodpecker. These artists barely sleep, only dozing off between taking breaks and rendering.

Everything is supposed to be finished a week from now so the material can be brought to Technicolor in Thailand to make sure the final product is at par with international standards. The production team will spend a week in Thailand to get everything done before the Metro Manila Film Festival.

If you're expecting floats going around Manila for the MMFF 2008, you will be disappointed. The MMFF Execom is repackaging the whole event so it can be more appealing on television. No news yet on how they're pulling it off but hopefully it's going to be big.

The full trailer is already up with more clips from characters dubbed by Michael V. and Pokwang.

Watch out for more updates on the MMFF and Dayo movie by subscribing to this blog's feeds.

Da Making of DAYO

2008-11-02T23:40:00.000-08:00

We recently shot "The Making of DAYO". Which could be the most truthful title ever as we are still in the process of making the movie as of this writing. Anyway.

The day-long shoot (stress on "long") began at 7 a.m. with the video shoot for "Kapit", a song from the film's soundtrack performed by Moymoy Palaboy. Yes folks, the YouTube sensations officially make their recording debut in DAYO! The song is a midtempo inspirational ditty about friendship that the brothers sing with such conviction and (surprise!) impressive vocals. Watch out for these guys to storm the pop charts!

Moymoy and Roadfill are in the movie too, voicing several makukulit na creatures in the mythical land of Elementalia where much of the story takes place. "Abangan niyo kami!" Moymoy says in the taped interview for the TV special. "Try n'yo na lang hulaan. Kung hindi n'yo mahulaan, basahin n'yo na lang sa credits ang mga pangalan namin," Roadfill notes, laughing.

Just like the movie, "The Making of DAYO" is steered by Nash Aguas and Hopia Legaspi who play the lead characters of Bubuy, "da clueless 11-year old wander boy", and Anna, "da 13-year old vegetarian manananggirl". The two child stars already have the chemistry thing down pat, having previously worked with each other in Goin' Bulilit and in DAYO for whcch they recorded their lines together late last year. So when it was time for Nash and Hopia to shoot their portion of the show (they serve as hosts or veejays), it was as easy and breezy as ABC (or DAYO).

Noel Trinidad and Nova Villa (pictured, above, with Eric Cabahug, one of the movie's writers) were also a fun pair to shoot. The comedy royalties play Lolo Meong and Lola Nita in DAYO, Bubuy's adoptive grandparents whose abduction into Elementalia by some creatures sets off the movie's action. They too have a light, unforced chemistry together. Interestingly, this was the first time that the two of them have played a couple. And they recorded their parts individually. You wouldn't know it though from the perfect vocal work they turned in for the movie.

During the interview, Tita Nova recounted her most memorable scene from DAYO. It happens towards the end of the movie and it's so emotional that she got choked up and started tearing up inside the recording booth and was unable to deliver her lines properly! "Ako na yun na artista ha, naiyak," she noted. "I'm sure lalo na yung mga manonood. Very Pinoy kasi ang pelikulang ito."

The mood definitely got much much cheerier around dinnertime when Pokwang (pictured with Eric) emerged from the dressing room for her turn in front of the cameras. She'd been up since very early that day and was quite tired but you wouldn't know it from her still-potent energy level under the spotlight. She was definitely on, toying with some of the crew. She was especially "crazy" during the pictorial session, going from from glamorous to dramatic to sexy to monstrous (she does play the role of Anna's yayananggal in the movie) and everything in between. And when the staff and crew took turns having their photos taken with her, Pokwang mimicked a different movie poster with each new partner!

Pinoy-Made Animation Film, Official MMFF Entry

2008-10-09T17:23:00.000-07:00

Comedian Michael V gives life to one of the characters in the Pinoy animation film, Dayo

A traditional full-length animated film usually takes three years to complete, but Dayo, a fully digital project by Cutting Edge Productions combining 2-D and 3-D animation, will be completed in just two years. More than 500 Filipino artists from all over the country are working to get it out in time for the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival this Christmas.

Every aspect of the film’s production has been a challenge, but it was the storyboard stage that

was the toughest, says director Robert Quilao, because it involved setting the mood and the look of the whole project. The makers brainstormed over the storyline for three days, while the script took four months to complete.

Dayo is the story of overcoming fear and the triumph over adversity. Its main character, 11-year-old Bubuy (voiced by Nash Aguas), is out to save his grandparents who have been abducted by mythical creatures from the magical world of Elementalia. On his journey, he meets Anna Manananggirl (voiced by Katrina Legaspi), a teen manananggal who helps him out.

Mythical creatures like the tikbalang, kapre, manananggal, and aswang are known for being scary and wicked, but Dayo gives them a whole new dimension.

“They are normally presented as predators or portrayed as villains,” explains the director. “We

created a new twist to these characters by transforming the scary manananggal into the friendly

manananggol (defender) who acts as the guardian of Elementalia.”

The $1.3-million-dollar film features the voices of Michael V, Noel Trinidad, Nova Villa, Johnny

Delgado, Peque Gallaga, and Laurice Guillen. The film’s theme, “Lipad” [Fly], is sung by international performer Lea Salonga, while the musical score is done by executive producer Jessie Lasaten, with conductor Gerard Salonga and the FilharmoniKa.

The cutest manananggal

2008-10-02T12:52:00.000-07:00

Aren’t you tired of four-legged animals singing in digital animation? Suspicious of all the merchandise peddled with each film—from toys that come with burger meals to video games? Are you afraid that your children are being manipulated to beg you to watch and buy, just as your heartstrings are manipulated by such formulaic yet polished Hollywood fare? (And if you aren’t tired or suspicious then you need to raise your standards.) Stop buying into cultural junk food and instead sink your teeth into some fresh soul food.

It’s time for a cute little girl manananggal instead.

The next big thing in the Philippine animation industry is about to happen this December as Dayo competes with seven other films in the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) opening on Christmas day.

Dayo is a heartwarming story of overcoming one’s fear and triumphing over adversity. It centers on the 11-year-old Bubuy (voiced by Nash Aguas) who is out to save his abducted grandparents in the land of Elementalia, a magical and mystical world that houses many of the Philippines’ mythical creatures and other enchanted elements. Along the way, Bubuy meets Anna Manananggirl (voiced by Katrina Legaspi), a teen manananggal (a winged creature that can separate her torso from her lower body) who befriends and helps Bubuy in his quest to rescue his grandparents.

Dayo aims to reintroduce the other side of mythical creatures like the tikbalang, kapre, manananggal and aswang by giving a new dimension to these usual reviled creatures. “They are normally presented as predators or portrayed as villains,” explains director Robert Quilao. “We created a new twist to these characters by transforming the scary manananggal into the friendly manananggol [defender] who acts as the guardian of Elementalia.”

Since the project is fully digital, it’s easy to animate the storyboard (also known as animatics). No storyboard could even be seen plastered on the office walls or workstations of Cutting Edge. While the drawing is done traditionally by hand, it’s executed directly onto the computer screen or PC tablet, hence, Quilao labels the project as “tradigital” animation.

Dayo is a hybrid product of combining 2D and 3D animation, powered by Toon Boom using Macintosh and Linux platforms. 2D animation is used for the characters while 3D animation is used for the backgrounds especially for the big scenes.

Currently, the film is 75 percent done and is expected to be completed by November in time for the MMFF. By then, the film will have spent just almost two years to make, a period shorter than the usual three years for a traditional full-length animation to finish. The team is done with the rough animation and is now on the “digital ink and paint” stage. Over 500 artists nationwide are pulled together to work on this project.

Also part of Cutting Edge’s objectives is producing world-class projects. Hence, everything from the content to the production process of Dayo is world-class. For example, multi-awarded composer and arranger Lasaten will do the musical score and record it with a live orchestra with the help of the FILharmoniKA, conducted by Gerard Salonga, while internationally renowned performer Lea Salonga will sing the movie’s theme song “Lipad (Fly).”

Animated film ‘Dayo’ is official entry to 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival

2008-09-25T06:02:00.000-07:00

The next big thing in the Philippine animation industry is about to happen this December as “Dayo” competes with seven other films in the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which opens on Christmas day.

It wasn't easy for Cutting Edge Productions, the local animators behind "Dayo," to enter the festival. When they submitted the script by Temi Abad and Eric Cabahug for consideration, the committee didn't immediately accept it. But the team didn't give up and insisted on presenting the project until they convinced the committee that they can do it. The primary consideration was time constraint and meeting the deadline especially for first time producers. Remarkably, "Dayo" made it to the final 8 out of the 19 hopefuls.

"Dayo" is a heartwarming story of overcoming one's fear and triumphing over adversity. It centers on the 11-year-old Bubuy (voiced by Nash Aguas) who is out to save his abducted grandparents in the land of Elementalia, a magical and mystical world that houses many of the Philippines' mythical creatures and other enchanted elements. Along the way, Bubuy meets Anna Manananggirl (voiced by Katrina Legaspi), a teen manananggal (a winged creature that can separate her torso from her lower body) who befriends and helps Bubuy in his quest to rescue his grandparents.

The creative team of "Dayo" consulted published literature on local mythology. The main reference is the book Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology by Maximo Ramos.
“Dayo” aims to reintroduce the other side of mythical creatures like the tikbalang, kapre, manananggal, and aswang by giving a new dimension to these usual reviled creatures. "They are normally presented as predators or portrayed as villains," explains director Robert Quilao. "We created a new twist to these characters by transforming the scary manananggal into the friendly manananggol (defender) who acts as the guardian of Elementalia."

Quilao also shares that every step of the project has been a challenge for the team, "but the storyboarding stage was perhaps the toughest because it involved setting the mood and look of the whole animation." Working on the story and writing the script also took time. A three-day story conference was held in Tagaytay just to brainstorm on the story, while it took the team three to four months to finish the
script.

The team already had talents in mind when they were working on the characters except for the lead roles of Bubuy and Anna which they held auditions for. For example, they already had Pokwang in mind for the manananggal yaya of Anna, hence the character sketch is loosely based on her. The team also thought of how it would be like to have Pokwang exchange lines with news anchor Mike Enriquez. So there's a character whose voice only sounds like Enriquez since the team is not able to get the real one to voice for the role. The team disclaims though that if other animated characters may appear to have similarities with real life people, those are unintentional.

The film also features voices of Michael V, Noel Trinidad, Nova Villa, Johnny Delgado, Peque Gallaga and Laurice Guillen.

Since the project is fully-digital, it's easy to animate the storyboard (also known as animatics). No storyboard could even be seen plastered on the office walls or workstations of Cutting Edge. While the drawing is done traditionally by hand, it's executed directly onto the computer screen or PC tablet, hence, Quilao labels the project as "tradigital" animation.

"Dayo" is a hybrid product of combining 2D and 3D animation, powered by Toon Boom using Macintosh and Linux platforms. 2D animation is used for the characters while 3D animation is used for the backgrounds especially for the big scenes.

Currently, the film is 75% done and is expected to be completed by November in time for the MMFF. By then, the film will have spent just almost two years to make, a period shorter than the usual 3 years for a traditional full-length animation to finish. The team is done with the rough animation and is now on the "digital ink and paint" stage. Over 500 artists nationwide are pulled together to work on this project. Although it's rather difficult and expensive to produce an animation project, "it's the only content we can sell abroad," justifies Jessie Lasaten, executive producer of "Dayo" and chief executive officer of Cutting Edge. "The world is our market. The idea is to recover half of the investment in the local market, and half of it worldwide. But if we're lucky, we can recover the whole investment locally." Lasaten reveals that Cutting Edge has spent around 1.3 million US dollars to produce "Dayo."

Also part of Cutting Edge's objectives is producing world-class projects. Hence, everything from the content to the production process of "Dayo" is world-class. For example, multi-awarded composer and arranger Lasaten will do the musical score and record it with a live orchestra with the help of the FILharmoniKA, conducted by Gerard Salonga, while internationally-renowned performer Lea Salonga will sing the movie's theme song Lipad (Fly).

In certain aspects where other full-length Filipino animated features failed, "Dayo" hopes to succeed. What makes "Dayo" unique is the Filipino feel that the whole animated feature has—the characters, environment and even the jokes. It is rich in folklore and abounds in Filipino values that are reflective of Philippine culture. While there are some fight sequences included in the film, "Dayo" is generally nonviolent and child-friendly.

The film starts its school tour on November. The team is seeking support of the Department of Education in promoting Filipino history, arts and culture.

Originally conceptualized as a research and development project, "Dayo" is a proof that the Filipinos can do a grand project like this. Cutting Edge also expects "Dayo" to trigger the hopes and dreams of other studios. They can now start working on the contents that they have long conceptualized.

Soon after "Dayo," the industry can anticipate for another full-length Filipino-themed animated feature from Cutting Edge. For more info, visit the official movie web site at www.dayomovie.com

Revolutionizing Philippine animation

2008-09-07T06:02:00.000-07:00

Something is shaking up the local animation industry. After the release of the full-length Filipino

animated feature Urduja, here comes the first fully-digital animation with a more exciting and

contemporary story entitled Dayo.

Dayo (Wanderer) is a heartwarming story about Bubuy (voice by Nash Aguas), an 11-year-old boy from Antipolo, who takes on a journey to save his beloved grandparents abducted into Elementalia — a fantasy land thriving with strange flora and fauna and home to several enchanted creatures of Philippine mythology.

Bubuy then meets Anna Manananggirl (voice by Katrina Legaspi), a young and energetic manananggal (a winged creature that can separate her torso from her lower body) with a special fondness for all things human except to eat them. The two live out an adventure full of wild, will-testing and comical experiences all over Elementalia—from an enormous waterfalls heaving with gravity-defying merfolk to the breathtaking crystal cave dwelled by colorful alitubi (fairies) to a magnificent old tree that is home to a motherly kapre (a sort of big ogre who lives on trees and smokes cigars) and finally to a majestic mountain protected by a big pack of hungry aswangs (ghoul or vampire).

The production of Dayo is the newest flagship project of Cutting Edge Productions. The company

boasts of being the only one-stop-facility in the Philippines with the technological resources that can do online and offline video editing, motion graphics, visual effects, animation, original music and sound design in a single Macintosh-based studio. The company operates the most up-to-date digital equipment and pushes for progressive and innovative outputs. Ten multi-functional work terminals are available for small and large-scale television, film, radio and new media productions. Cutting Edge has been able to establish a strong foundation of clients that include leading multinational companies and advertising agencies since its inception in 2003.

Actual production of Dayo commenced in October 2007, but planning and pre-production already started as early as January of the same year. Currently, the film is 70 percent done and is expected to be completed by November in time for the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival. By then, the film will have spent just almost two years to make, a period shorter than the usual three years for a traditional fulllength animation to finish.

Amounting to around $1.3 million, Dayo is considered to be relatively cheaper than doing a traditional animation project which is estimated at more than P80 million to produce. Under the direction of Cutting Edge in-house director Robert Quilao, Dayo employs both 2D and 3D technologies powered by Toon Boom using Macintosh and Linux platforms. Quilao labels the animation project as “tradigital,” meaning the drawing is done traditionally by hand, but executed directly onto a computer screen or PC tablet instead of using papers, thus making Dayo the first ever fully-digital animation in the country.

Music will be scored by Jessie Lasaten, a multi-awarded composer and arranger for Filipino films like Anak and Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa? among others. The score is played in full ensemble by the Philharmonic Orchestra and is conducted by Gerard Salonga, while the theme song entitled “Lipad” (Fly) will be sung by the country’s premier artist Lea Salonga.

Dayo is part of Cutting Edge’s objectives to enrich Filipino content creation. “The Philippines has been outsourcing animation and digital works for around two decades now,” states Lasaten, executive producer of Dayo and chief executive officer of Cutting Edge Productions. “It’s about time that we recognized our very own animators by creating original content that is proudly Filipino.” Lasaten constantly challenges his pool of creative minds and animators to compete on a regional and international scale by way of content creation.

Also included in the company’s mission-vision are to constantly educate budding artists through

workshops and seminars and to outsource local artists. In Dayo, some artists are even subcontracted from provinces like Camarines Sur. More than 500 freelance artists and animators from various studios poured their talents in this first mainstream venture of Cutting Edge Productions. The experienced ones took charge of the drawing foundations and character sketches, while the young ones served as the in-betweeners and clean-up artists.

According to the Animation Council of the Philippines, there is a very small number of about 8,000 artists in the country today. Lasaten attributes this to the usual notion of people who are good at drawing to take up and pursue careers in architecture, interior design and other related fields. “It is rare that they would go into animation,” explains Lasaten, “people even usually frown upon the idea.” The target of the council, with the help of Cutting Edge Productions, is to increase the number of artists to 20,000 by 2010. They hope to achieve this through endeavors such as Dayo and by working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the training of talents. They want to prove that there is a demand and a promising career in animation.

More than just being a Filipino creation, Dayo is out to prove that it is undeniably a cutting edge

animation project and that the Filipinos can do an ambitious and revolutionary project like this. The Animation Council of the Philippines considers Dayo as the key in transforming the local animation scene into a more promising and progressive industry.

Complementing the visual spectacle of Dayo is its official Web site where kids and adults alike can play online games, participate in forums, post on bulletin boards, and download wallpapers and other interesting stuff. The site is provided and maintained by New Media Philippines.

For more information about the movie, people can visit www.dayomovie.com