News:
Soar high in 'Dayo'
By: Maritoni Alvarez | YEHEY! In-house Production
8 December 2008 | 10:17 AM
Another milestone in the Philippine Cinema and animation industry is yet to happen as “Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia” opens on December 25 together with other seven films to compete on the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
Dayo is a heartwarming story of conquering one’s fear and succeeding over adversity. 11-year-old Bubuy (voiced by Nash Aguas) set out on a journey together with his new found friend Anna (voiced by Katrina “Hopia” Legaspi), a teen mananaggal , to save his abducted grandparents in the land of Elementalia. Dayo is a movie that lets viewers’ imagination into the world of flora and fauna and mythical creatures from Philippine mythology.
 At the presscon of “Dayo” at the Discovery Suite, Ortigas held last December 4, Cutting Edge was proud to present the world acclaimed singer and thespian Lea Salonga who sang the movie’s theme song “Lipad”, together with the other creative team behind “Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia”.
Lea has been the singing voice behind the animated films of Princess Jasmine and Mulan in Disney’s animated film Alladin and Mulan respectively but this is the first time she is going to sing for a Filipino animated production that’s why she can’t help but share how happy and excited she is for being a part “Dayo”.
“"[Dayo is] something that’s incredibly exciting to be a part of… I’m glad to be singing the theme song called “Lipad”, said Lea during the presscon.
Another Salonga is also behind the remarkable musical score of the film “Dayo”. Gerard Salonga, together with his 35-piece Filharmonika orchestra, gave more life and verve on the animated film. Gerard also shared how proud he is for being a part of a big Filipino animation project.
“I’m very proud to be a part of this project because it was really done to a scale that would only be really thought about, talked about and dreamt about to this point,” said Gerard.
He also added how Filipinos should be in full support of a project like this to uplift the spirit of Filipino animators.
“I think it deserves every Filipino's full support because this is a chance to create a culture, just like the Japanese and the anime culture. We have an opportunity because of the talented animators who live here to be creating this uniquely Filipino art form and I think that's way more fulfilling as an artists rather than being sourced from other countries to do their work for them. I feel, as artist, that it’s imperative to support Filipino original creative.”
When Lea was asked if how does “Dayo” differ from the previous animated films she has done before, she was quick to say that in “Dayo” she doesn’t have to be a character, rather, just be herself and sing the theme song “Lipad”.
“The song is incredibly inspirational which has a deeper meaning, the fact that it’s an all Filipino endeavour, it’s saying that the Filipino can, sing, fly, you soar you aim for the sky... not minding what obstacles might be in your way. It's something that hopefully will inspire more Filipino artists to say ‘I believe that I can do this’, Lea explained why the song “Lipad” is very special to her.
“If Dayo becomes a success, and I truly believe it will be, then hopefully it will make others say ‘this is an all Filipino endeavour, its beautiful, it is well made, well put together, well produced, then we can also do the same’...and hopefully as a collective endeavour inspires Filipino artists to say, Yes I can and aim for the sky”, enthused the Broadway star with optimism and full conviction.
Robert Quilao, Dayo’s Director admitted that the 1.3 million dollar flick might not be perfect but is already a good start.
“To a trained eye, you will see some hiccups in the entire film, but then I think it’s a very good start and we’re committed to do more of this in the next few years so hopefully the public will receive it well,” said Quilao.
With a very rich culture and lots of unique stories to tell, the team behind Dayo is positive that Dayo can penetrate into the international scene. In fact, they’re already getting inquiries to other part of the world like Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and South American countries to show “Dayo” in their country.
Employing over 500 animators outsourced in different part of the countries like Naga, Dumaguete and Baguio, Executive Producer and Musical Director Jessie Lasaten said that doing an animation film is very hard but fun and rewarding as well.
The star studded production features the voices of Michael V (Narsi), Noel Trinidad (Lolo Meong), Nova Villa (Lola Nita), Johnny Delgado (Carpio), Peque Gallaga (Nano), Laurice Guillen (Diwata/Bruha) and Gabe Mercado (Jo).
Before hitting cinemas on Christmas Day, Dayo will be having a premiere night on December 19 at SM Mega Mall. For more information, visit the official movie web site at www.dayomovie.com.
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