My Blog

The BEQUEST makes
history

By Ronelo Ladiao

Another historical event was made in

Iloilo

. The BEQUEST:
Origin of Dinagyang, the very-first Ilonggo animated short film created by
Kuris Animation Unlimited in collaboration with Ilongguhit Animators
successfully held a one-night screening at SM Cinema 7 last January 25, 2008,
7PM.

More than 500 excited Ilonggo
spectators showed positive response trooped at the region’s ultimate shopping
and entertainment destination, SM City Iloilo to see The BEQUEST for the first
time. The 20-minute 2D and 3D format animated short film done in 2 months with
more than 35,000 drawings by 18 animators was based in the story concept of
Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Director, Benito Jimena. The breakthrough animated
film was directed by Ilonggo animators such as Ronelo Ladiao, Bryan Jandonero,
Marx Ydroy Silva and Diosdado Aguilar, Jr. in collaboration with their
animation instructor, Karlo Sira. Significant guests of the event were
TESDA-Iloilo Director, Lorena Yunque, WVCST ICT Coordinator, Roly Gambol and
Invictus Executive Director, Jigger Lotoza.

The BEQUEST is a magnificent story
about a street child named Niňo who befriended the parish priest of

San Jose

Church

days before the Dinagyang
Festival. In their conversation, the Priest retold three separate historical
events (Barter of Panay, Baptism of Filipinos for Christianity in 1521 and The
Bequest or the arrival of Sto. Niňo de Cebu in

Iloilo

in 1968) to which the true
religio-cultural origin of Dinagyang Festival came from.

Prior the film screening, a one-week
animation exhibit entitled “Dinagyamation” from January 14-20 was held at SM
City Iloilo lower ground floor. The animators are proud products of
PGMA-Training for Work Scholarship Program implemented by Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Western Visayas College of Science
and Technology (WVCST).

Due to consistent demand from various
social sectors and students, The BEQUEST will have another 3-day showing on
February 26-29 at

WVCST

EDtech

Center

.
Tickets are sold for only P10. For further inquiries and ticket reservations,
you can email the animators at kurisanimators@yahoo.com
or text at 09184822338.

As usual, this unique event is
presented by WVCST, TESDA, SM City Iloilo, Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc.,
Invictus, SM Cinema, The Daily Guardian, GMA TV-6, Ilonggo Producer’s
Association and Deco’s Batchoy. Co-presented by Mang Inasal, Waffletime, Crest
Spa Aroma, Coffeebreak, Pepsi,

Picture

City

, RMN-Iloilo with
special thanks to Panorama Printing Press, Personalize Expression, Salog Spa,
Crest Café and Salon, Redwood Event Management and News Express.

Christianity and Sto. Niňo unveiled in The BEQUEST

By Ronelo Ladiao

After the legendary “Barter of Panay”
was linked to the origin of Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation
Director, Benito Jimena in his article “Anacronism: The Barter, The Baptism and
The Bequest” revealed that the arrival of Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand
Magellan and his Spaniard crew in the shores of Masao 1521 led to the
historical first mass in the Philippines. After Raha Humabon and 300 natives
were baptized as Christians in Cebu, the image
of Sto. Niňo was given as a gift to his wife, Hara Humamai by Magellan. For
centuries, the holy image was worshipped by the natives that blissfully
inspired the Cebuanos to create and establish their own famous religious
festival called “Sinulog” every January.
In 1968, the replica of Sto. Niňo was
given as a gift or “bequest” by a clergy from Cebu to the parish priest of San Jose Church
in . The
arrival of the holy child Jesus was venerated and became a turning point in the
history of Iloilo
when a religious fluvial parade was established through merry-making wearing
black paint similar to Ati-atihan of Aklan. In 1978, “Dinagyang” officially
became an annual religious festivity and tourism attraction of the Ilonggos
when former president Ferdinand Marcos urged provinces and cities in the Philippines. to
establish their own festivals to strengthen the growing tourism industry in the
country.

The baptism of the natives for
Christianity and the arrival of Sto. Niňo in Iloilo city
together with the legendary “Barter of Panay” as three separate historical
events will create a distinct origin and face to the humble beginning of
Dinagyang Festival more than the usual bombastic drumbeats, colorful costumes
and energetic dancing in the street.

On Friday, January 25, 7PM, Ilonggos
will finally witness “The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang”, the first-ever
animated short film of Iloilo’s
world-famous religio-cultural attraction at SM Cinema 7. Kuris Animation Unlimited
in partnership with Ilongguhit Animation will unveil a “life-larger” animated
project that is truly Ilonggo by heart and soul. But before The BEQUEST, drop
by at “Dinagyamation” animation exhibit which is on extended display at SM City
Iloilo from January 21-27 to see the works of talented Ilonggo animators. SM
City Iloilo is the region’s ultimate mall to hold the first-ever grandest
animation event in the city. The BEQUEST tickets are exclusively available at
SM Cinema on January 25 for only P20 free with a colored postcard.

“Dinagyamation” at SM City

Iloilo

By Ronelo Ladiao

“Dinagyang turns anime as Ilonggo
animators go global!”…highlighting the unique talents of PGMA-TWSP scholar
graduates of Professional 2D Assistant Animators Training Program of Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Western Visayas College
of Science and Technology (WVCST), these promising animators will hold a
weeklong animation exhibit at the Lower Ground Floor of SM City Iloilo from
January 14-20, 2008.

Uniquely entitled “Dinagyamation” (a
fusion of Dinagyang and Animation), the anticipated animation exhibit at the
region’s biggest mall is a combined artistic force of Kuris Animation Unlimited
and Ilonggohit Animation Studio. Aiming high to dedicate their artistic gifts
to make history and contribute for the promotion Ilonggo culture, the exhibit
is a tie-up promotion for the special one-night screening of the first animated
short film of Iloilo Dinagyang Festival entitled “The BEQUEST: Origin Of
Dinagyang” on January 25, 7PM at SM Cinema 7.

The exhibit will feature the original
artworks and animated projects of the two groups of animators, their humble
beginning, upcoming projects and dreams for the expanding animation industry in
the country. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will officially open the exhibit on
January 14 at 2PM. On succeeding days, various animation lectures and
activities awaits other Ilonggo artists such as “Draw-A-Kuris-Character”. WVCST
animation instructors will conduct the series of lectures and Kuris Animators
will judge the three winners of the contest wherein they will receive gift
certificates and must-have colorful Kuris posters. To avail free entrance for
the screening of The BEQUEST or join the contest, mall goers and art
enthusiasts should visit the exhibit booth and register from January 14-20.

So what are you waiting for, come and
witness the biggest animation event in the region this Dinagyang season.

The event is presented by WVCST,
TESDA, Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc., SM City Iloilo, SM Cinema, The Daily
Guardian, GMA TV-6 and Deco’s Batchoy. Co-presented by Mang Inasal, Waffle
Time, Crest Spa Aroma, Coffeebreak and Iloilo Producer’s Association and Crest
Salon. Minor sponsors includes Panorama Printing Press, Salog Spa, Ciao! Pizza
and Pasta Station, Crest Cafe and Nuat Thai Spa.

Legendary Barter of Panay retold in animated short film at SM
City

Iloilo

What is the connection of the
legendary Barter of Panay in the origin of

Iloilo City’s
world-famous cultural event?

Though many historians argued the
validity and existence of the legendary Barter of Panay in 13^th
century, they cannot deny the fact that it has already carved a lasting legacy
in the minds of the Ilonggos for many generations.
PanayThe mutual respect and friendship
that existed between the 10 Bornean Datus headed by Datu Puti and the Aetas
headed by Marikudo inhabiting the island is a significant tale that unveiled
the origin of the people of eight
centuries ago.

Sinugbuhan Iloilo) safely. The Borneans were warmly
accepted by Aeta chief, Marikudo and his people. According to the legend, the 10
Bornean Datus represented by their spokesperson, Datu Puti is searching for a
free land to escape the tyranny of Bornean ruler, Datu Makatunaw. Secretly
fleeing in vast number of followers using their “balangays” (huge boat), they
arrived in the shore of (San Joaquin,

To show friendship and peace, the
Aetas entertained the Borneans with their festival dance called “Ati-atihan” in
the middle of a sumptuous feast after the natives were pleased by their gifts.
The bonding convinced Datu Puti to barter his prized possessions such as golden
“Saduk” (broad brimmed hat) and golden basin in exchange for the lowlands of
PanayManiwantiwan, Marikudo’s wife received a long gold necklace from
Pinangpangan, wife of Datu Puti to conclude the greatest barter of all time.
As agreed in the barter, the Aetas
fled the lowland and live in the mountains. The Borneans divided the Island
among the Datus to rule that led to the establishment of the present Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz and
Antique provinces.

Many generations have passed but the
legendary Barter of Panay continued to survive through oral history and became
a living proof of our vast cultural heritage. The significant story also became
the historical basis of the origin and establishment of Aklan’s world-famous
Ati-atihan Festival every January.

But to clarify the misconception
between Dinagyang Festival and Ati-atihan, the legendary “Barter of Panay” will
become a key, an important pillar and a piece of puzzle to reveal the true
origin of Iloilo City’s most-revered tourism gem artistically unveiled in its
first animated short film entitled “The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang”.

Western Visayas College of Science
and Technology and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority trained
group of 2D animators, Kuris and Ilonggohit animators embarked in a monumental
project to create a breakthrough animated short film scheduled for a one-night
screening at SM Cinema 7 on January 25 at 7PM. But before The BEQUEST
screening, a weeklong animation exhibit uniquely entitled “Dinagynamation” is
scheduled at the lower ground floor of SM City Iloilo from January 14-20. Mall
goers will have a chance to see first hand the artistic works, meet the
animators and take a glimpse of the making of the first animation short film of
Dinagyang Festival.

Definitely, SM City Iloilo, the
region’s ultimate shopping and entertainment landmark is the only mall capable
of holding the biggest animation event this Dinagyang season.

The event is proudly presented by
Western Visayas College of Science and Technology, Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority, Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc., SM City
Iloilo, SM Cinema, The Daily Guardian, Deco’s Batchoy and GMA TV-6.
Co-presented by Mang Inasal, Crest Spa Aroma, Waffle Time, Iloilo Producer’s
Association, Coffebreak, and Crest Salon. Minor sponsors includes Salog Spa,
Panorama Printing Press, Crest Café, Nuat Thai Spa and Ciao! Pizza and Pasta
Station.