NCCA Agung Newsletter

Agung is a newsletter for artists and cultural workers published bi-monthly by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Tuldok was featured in its Volume X No. 2 issue.

The Benildean February Issue Tuldok Announcement

RATED K features TULDOK under 'Yan ang Pinoy! Segment

"Kaya nating mga Pilipino makagawa ng World Class na Animated Film basta sama-sama at tulong-tulong tayo..."

Click on the PLAY BUTTON to see this video clip.

Awesome Animation - a column about Ramon del Prado's Films and TULDOK's Libingan

Click on the photos to view the article written by Manolet Teves or you can read it at

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/September/03/starlife.htm

Animation na may TATAK PINOY: Sa pagsikat ng sining ng TULDOK

Click on the photos to view the article written by Rieze Rose T. Calbay or you can read it at http://www.varsitarian.com/moredetail.asp?id=3321

Fudgeparazzi: TULDOK Launch Event in Fudge Magazine's September Issue

Please click on the photo to read the article by Fudge Magazine.

Erratum: It was not CCP President Nestor Jardin who spoke during the event but CCP Vice President Nanding Josef.

Disclaimer: Again, we would like to emphasize that our project "Libingan" is not the first all-Pinoy animated film but it is our first major project. We would like to correct this misunderstanding with the media. To declare us the first would be unfair to the pioneers who have done projects before us such as Ang Panday, Ibong Adarna, etc.

TULDOK featured in ABS-CBN Channel 2's BANDILA

Tuldok, Nakabuo ng Unang All-Original Pinoy Animated Film, according to STARMOMETER BLOG which you can read at http://www.starmometer.com/?p=2525

Click on the PLAY BUTTON to see this video clip.

DISCLAIMER: We would like to inform all of you that TULDOK's 20-minute Animated Short Film "LIBINGAN" is not the first all-original Pinoy animated film that has been produced but it is our first attempt in accomplishing such feat being an all volunteer non-stock non profit organization that has no office, no equipment but not lacking in talent and creativity. We are passionate and we have the heart to do what it takes to achieve our dreams. We did this during our free time after work hours and on weekends with our own computers, laptops, etc. We have met at fast food chains and restaurants to collaborate and we have a YahooGroup to coordinate with one another. This is PINOY INGENUITY and TEAMWORK at its BEST!

TULDOK featured in The LaSallian Menagerie August Issue

Please click on the photo to read the article written by Marie Beatrice Angeles and Denise Cua.

FHM.com Entertainment Movies & DVD Section: Libingan

You can read the feature about "Libingan" at

http://www.fhm.com.ph/entertainment/movies-dvd?id=806

TULDOK Launch and "LIBINGAN" Premiere in MANILA STANDARD TODAY

You can read the rest of the article by Giovanni Yazon at http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife9_aug4_2007 or by clicking on the photo.

GMA NEWS.TV: Tuldok Animation launches animated film Libingan

You can read the article at http://www.gmanews.tv/story/51925/Tuldok-Animation-launches-animated-film-Libingan

The Weekly Sillimanian: Animation with a mission

Written by Michelle Eve A. de Guzman Thursday, 26 July 2007

Twenty-five year old computer animator Ramon del Prado said, "Everyone and anyone can do what I do. That's what we're trying to tell everyone here."

What, you may ask, does he do? And who are they?

Well, this United States Department of State-sponsored Fulbright scholar will go to the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, New York this coming August 20 for a Master's degree in Computer Arts focusing on Animation. And he is part of Tuldok.

Tuldok is a non-profit organization bent on making the world recognize the Filipino's artistic and creative talent, using animation as the medium to deliver that message. Formed last October 2005 and backed by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Tuldok came into fruition after del Prado got together with friends Ben Carandang, Ayeen Pineda, and Toffer Liu for what he called "a bayanihan concept but in terms of art."

A Dumaguete native and Silliman High School '99 graduate, del Prado will conduct "How to Make Your Own Cartoon: A seminar-workshop on flash animation" at the College of Computer Studies this July 27. Organized by high school batchmates Mark Garcia and JM Aguilar, a premiere of his award-winning films will also be held at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium on July 26.

A son of Jose Ramon who is a farm manager, and Maria Socorro, a housewife-let's find out more about this de la Salle University's dean's lister and varsity player and internationally-recognized animator through his own words.

On the need for Tuldok

MD: What do we have to know about Filipino animation?

Ramon: The Filipino public just needs to be aware that Filipinos are actually behind some of the biggest names in cartoons today. Some are working on upcoming animated hits from US and Japan as we speak.

MD: What benefits can one get from animation?

Ramon: Well, it's always entertaining to watch. For producers, it's a good catchy way to spread a message, and for those interested in it, it's a growing industry. There is a large demand for 2D, 3D Flash and video game animators.

MD: Can it be appreciated by people from different classes?

Ramon: Definitely. It's only limited by age, because the general perception of animation is that it's only for kids. But the less educated will appreciate the beauty of movement and colors, while the educated will like the good dialogue, script and art direction. But of course, whatever class they are in, everyone loves a good story.

MD: What could a Filipino contribute to the animation world?

Ramon: Right now, the Philippines is one of the leading animation hubs in the world. Our talent is without question already, and we are contributing greatly to the animation industry in terms of labor. What we don't have are original animated Filipino stories.
MD: What started it all?

Ramon: At that time, we were also frustrated at how everyone just goes to symposiums and conventions and rant and say "something must be done" but no one really does anything. So we decided to start something and get the ball rolling. We've got a rich culture for inspiring great stories.

MD: What do we lack?

Ramon: Money. Other countries have the money so they can make the rules. The technology is there. It's just the money/funding needed to produce original content. That's what's missing. There aren't any backers, etc… because there isn't much proof we can tell an animated story. Hopefully Tuldok will change all that.

MD: What is the future of animation in the Philippines?

Ramon: Very bright. This is a very exciting time to be an animator in the Philippines. The demand is high; jobs are plenty in this field (animation covers IT, education, medical, corporate fields as well, aside from the entertainment industry). I can feel that we are very near in showing a Filipino animation identity to the world.

On life after Fulbright and his award-winning films

MD: What do you plan to do after your Fulbright scholarship?

Ramon: I'm hoping to bring back to the Philippines not only the technical knowledge from New York, but also the connections-people who can help me realize my dream, either directly or indirectly.

MD: How did you come up with the concepts for your works?

Ramon: My concepts usually start with a message I want to tell the audience, either a commentary on society or a warning. I like to be subtle or metaphorical, to embed these messages within the story. For example, "I am the Superhero" is about two superheroes competing to become better than the other. But the underlying message is actually a commentary on Philippine politics and Pinoy crab mentality. I would never describe my stories as directly as something like "it's a story about Philippine politics." It's the audience's job to connect the dots; I just don't tell them which dots to connect. It's up to them.

MD: Do you think having films that have a message to viewers add more depth to the outcome?

Ramon: I always want to have a message in all of my works. Substance is very important. You can have a really technically outstanding film but if there is no story, no substance, no one will remember it.

MD: When did you start getting interested in animation?

Ramon: I've been drawing since I was four. My mom was an artist and taught me the basics of art back then. My dad then taught me how to make a ball bounce in the corner of a book. They have both been very supportive of me and I must say that I'm very lucky to have that.
MD: Have you always had a consciousness that you're Filipino and proud of it?

Ramon: I grew up in Tanjay and Dumaguete in Negros Oriental. I miss it all the time and I try to go home whenever I can. That led to being proud of the place I grew up in and proud of being who I was, I'm a Negrense in the Philippines, but looking at the bigger spectrum, I'm a Filipino in the world.

Perhaps it is at this point in time that you notice that for someone to make a difference, it all boils down to attitude-attitude that can be found in the rare Filipino who is truly worthy of being called that name.

With Ramon del Prado's nationalism, humility and vision, why not be inspired to do what he can do? Make a difference for the country, for a particular industry, for our own selves.

(Editors’ Note: published in the Freeman July 12, 2007.)

http://tws.bigsplashmultimedia.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=389&Itemid=2

Brief History of TULDOK in Fudge Magazine's April Issue

Our story began with a very SIMPLE IDEA - what if we combine Ben's strength (management) with Ramon's strength (animation), and Ayeen's strength (voice acting and production house expertise), coupled with Toffer's strength (Information Technology)? The end result was the foundation of the Core Group. Just mix it with hardwork and luck, fate sealed the deal . . . everything just fell into place . . . and the rest was HISTORY! This is OUR STORY. It can be yours too! Why not?

TULDOK is not just the four (4) of us, it is also about all the members involved in the PRODUCTION PROCESS (from management to voice acting to animating to promoting etc.)

TULDOK is about PEOPLE working TOGETHER as ONE and channelling this CREATIVE ENERGY in ONE DIRECTION and PRESTO we have a FORCE to reckon with! Lead it to the right path and it becomes a CATALYST not just in the Animation industry but in other facets of life as well . . .

Our JOURNEY was not an easy ride as you may see it. We are no extraordinary individuals, we DREAM of the same things as you do. The ONLY DIFFERENCE is that we decided to WORK TOGETHER and not COMPETE with EACH OTHER and SHARE THE SAME DREAM OF CREATING AN ALL FILIPINO ANIMATED FILM.

The Filipino is a very talented artist INDIVIDUALLY and there is no doubt about that, but have you seen him as a TEAM PLAYER and think of the WELFARE of ALL and not just himself? This is what Tuldok wants to make a POINT. We believe that by being UNITED AS ONE we can reach GREATER HEIGHTS that we have not seen before . . .

That WE can ACHIEVE and CREATE something that WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF. It is ABOUT TIME that WE BELIEVE IN OURSELVES and do something for this COUNTRY in whatever capacity we can.

This is what TULDOK is about - PEOPLE SHARING DREAMS AND SEEING THE POSSIBILITIES OF WHAT WE REALLY CAN DO BY BEING UNITED AS ONE.

We do not aspire to be the FIRST neither do we aspire to be the BEST instead we would like to INSPIRE other people or groups to band together and start their own thing as well. If WE can DO IT, YOU CAN DO IT TOO! Let us stop talking and whining and start CREATING . . .

GoodNewsPilipinas: Tuldok Animators empower Pinoy artists

Dreaming to make the world realize the artistic and creative talents of Pinoys, a group of four Lasallians formed the Tuldok Animation Studios Inc. Not only as a tool for outsourcing talents, the group believes that Pinoys have the ability to create original and captivating stories.

Tuldok is composed of writers, artists, animators, voice actors, and other talented people aimed at creating original Filipino animated short film. Although this is not the first group of Filipino artists and graphic animators, Tuldok is one of the few groups involved in producing all original content. It is now registered in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a non-stock, non-profit organization.

Purpose driven animation

Coming from diverse backgrounds, the proponents of Tuldok are Benedict Carandang, Ramon del Prado, Toffer Liu, and Ayeen Pineda. All are graduates of De La Salle University – Manila and former members of The La Sallian, the school’s official student publication. They conceived forming the group in October 2005.

Each of them has his own specialization: Ramon is good in animation, Ayeen in voice acting, Toffer in software and information technology, and Ben in management. Combining their strengths became the pillar of Tuldok. From then, the group invited friends and artists who share the same dream of creating an all-original Filipino animated short film.

Despite the lack of funds, the group is still capable of creating animated stories with their available resources: digital technology and generous writers who are willing to participate for the love of it.

“Filipino artists, by and large, are a creative bunch and are very individualistic by nature. By producing an all original content as one big group, we would like to inspire them that by being united, by collaborating and by sharing our individual talents, we are able to create something bigger than ourselves that we can all be proud of," Benedict marked the challenge.

Launching pad of animators

The country is known as an outsourcing powerhouse in the field of animation. “US, Japanese, and European studios already have contacts here for quite some time now affirming the talent of the Filipino,” Ramon said.

In fact, Pinoys already worked on animated cartoons like Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, X-Men, Dexter’s Lab, Power Puff Girls, Cow and Chicken, Johnny Bravo, Disney’s Tarzan, among others. Benedict furthered: “Filipino’s ability to tell stories visually has also been exemplified by the recognition of several independent films in several international film festivals.”

But Benedict said the country is only recognized as an outsourcing hub – the grunt work behind animated stories abroad. “It is recognition of our skills as artists to copy someone else’s style but not for our creativity in producing our own animated stories,” he added.

Some attempts have been made before to create original animation, but these Filipinos remain few and rare. Benedict explained: “Financing has been the main reason behind the lack of support from big companies. Animation’s high initial costs due to equipment have scared away mainstream companies who have chosen to stick to safe and formulaic content.”

Good news. "The advent of digital technology has been able to significantly lower the costs of producing an animation to the point that anybody with a good personal computer can produce one. Animation may only be a medium to tell stories, but it is a very powerful one," Benedict added. Tuldok is maximizing the digital technology to create their animations. Basically, they use Macromedia Flash 8 and Adobe Photoshop.

Libingan: the first project

The first and only project that Tuldok has undertaken is the 20-minute shortfilm "Libingan". The National Commission for the Cultural Arts (NCCA) granted the project with a monetary fund. Many projects are expected to follow.

The proponents encourage anybody to visit the trailer of Libingan at http://www.tuldokanimation.com/ and their production blog at http://www.tuldokanimation.blogspot.com/. Tuldok will be officially launched on July 17, 2007 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

This article is written by Paul Darwynn Garilao last June 7, 2007 and you can check it out at the website of GoodNewsPilipinas as well: http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/docs/tech_milestones/archived/tuldok.html

K-Zone feature on "Libingan"

You can read this feature at K-Zone's Blog at http://www.kzone.com.ph/blog/?p=449