Animahenasyon goes to UP Diliman

After the groundbreaking success of Animahenasyon 2008, the winning works and special citations of the second Pinoy animation festival will hold a special screening at the Ishmael Bernal Gallery at the University of the Philippines, Diliman campus on January 8-10 at 7 p.m.

Organized by the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI), the grand prize winner of Animahenasyon 2008 is a narrative musical cartoon that relates the story of a Chinese-Filipino interracial marriage. "Love and Marriage," a jab at the folly of racial prejudice, is a comic take on this long-standing issue in the society captured in 7.5 minutes and seen through the eyes of its Chinese-Filipina filmmaker.

The brain and the hands behind of this masterpiece is Kenny Lynn Tai. She graduated from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde with a degree on multimedia arts and is currently working for the Creative Media and Film Society of the Philippines (CREAM), and a background artist for the upcoming film "Pasintabi" of Tuldok Animation.

"I'm Tsinay. That's why I did a cartoon about Filipino-Chinese relationship, because I can relate. This cartoon is dedicated not only to Tsinoys, but also to all Filipinos who have encountered this issue," said Tai who won in the festival for the first time on her second year of participation.

Initially a painter, Tai wanted her paintings to come alive. She turned to animation in 2005 with her first cartoon music video, "Dr. Love" by Kiss. Her first character, Crossmouth, is also seen in one of the scenes of her award-winning piece. Tai is inspired by animation experts Miyazaki, Max Fleischer and Craig McCracken. To get her in the mood to work on her craft, she listens to contemporary and classical instrumental music.

Aside from "Love and Marriage," Tai also had two more entries for this year's contest: "Carrot Series," which won in the demo reel category, and "Don't Touch My Birdie."

The roster of the second Animahenasyon winners include "Just Tiis League" by Ivan Despi, "Sa Gabos na Panahon" by Raul Mimay, "Katchatore" and "We Give in Sometimes, both by Ivan Despi for the Professional Division; "Lupang Hinirang" by Rjay Morada, "Love and Marriage" by Kenny Lynn Tai, "Some Say" by Ruark Vallen Tapel, and "Carrot Series" by Kenny Lynn Tai for the Amateur Division.

Special citations were given to "Para sa Aking Anak na Natuton Gumapang" by Reginald Vinluan, "I'm Special, Are You?" by Gorio Vicuna, Mike Brum and Gabe de la Cruz, "Power Unleashed" by Sid Maderazo, "Fly Aswang" by Mark Galvez, "Rhose" by Narwuz Paguidopon, "Samtang Bilog" and "Buwan" by Jonathan Jurilla, "Hermano" by Rhodius Daduya, "Kukoman" by Ralph Crisostomo, "Anomi" by Renie Dimla, and Luchiby Celine Yao and Jonel Factor.

The annual Animahenasyon serves as a venue for Filipino animators to present their world-class ideas, a place for them to open doors of opportunities and a chance for them to meet and be inspired by the finest names in the industry.

ACPI is a non-stock and non-profit organization with 2D and 3D animation companies for members duly recognized and supported by the Philippine government. Its objectives are to showcase original content in Philippine animation, to recognize the Filipino talent in the field of animation, and to aim for local and international excellence and competitiveness.