FILIPINOS are known to be hardworking, determined and competent in all fields of work, especially abroad, where millions of OFWs have run factories and banks and power plants; taught schoolchildren, nursed the old and the sick; and steered ships in the high seas. But would you believe they are also known as good animators? Who would not recognize the world’s best-loved cartoons and animated films, such as Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Tom & Jerry, Scooby-Doo and even Dragon Ball Z? The good news is, there is the hand of a Filipino animator in all of them.
       “Last year we did our road show in Europe, where I asked, ‘If you say “Philippines,” what readily comes to mind?’ What amazed me was their answer: ‘animators.’” That’s Felicitas R. Agoncillo-Reyes, assistant trade secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), speaking. Reyes, who heads the Council of the Philippines and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem), added, “We’re not the only ones saying that we’re good; a lot of people also say that we are.”
       She gave these remarks at the Fourth Animazing Shorts ceremonies held recently at the Microsoft offices in Makati City. The competition aims to encourage future generations of animators to expand their creativity and expression. There was no theme for this year’s competition, unlike in the past. For now, they would just like to showcase the full spectrum of Filipino animators in 2D and 3D animation services.
       The competition evaluated 23 submissions for the amateur category and 11 for the professional category. But in the end, only nine students from three Philippine universities and three professional animation artists made it and were declared winners.
       The winning entries for the professional category are “Red Balloon” by Titam Rebueno, grand prize; “Kalesa” by Ronnie Sapinoso, first runner-up; and “Child’s Game” by Ajerico Acayen, second runner-up.
       Winners in the amateur category are “Doodle of the Doom” by Nelson Caligua Jr. and Jason Confesor from College of Saint Benilde, grand prize; “Night Shift” by Jerome Albrando, Camile Bitara, Enrico Ilagan and Roman Mataguinas from Ateneo de Naga, first runner-up; and “Reverie” by Thomas Balace, Raphael Garcia and Sharon Peña from Ateneo de Naga, second runner-up.
       The finalists were selected based on creativity (40 percent), production value (30 percent), audience impact (20 percent) and concept/theme (10 percent). The grand-prize winner will receive an Intel computer for animation and a trophy, while the runners-up will get cash prizes and trophies as well.
       The Animazing Shorts was organized by the DTI, Citem, Board of Investments and the Animation Council of the Philippines Inc., with Intel as copresentor and Microsoft as awarding ceremony sponsor.