I got in time for the press con few days ago for the Dayo movie, its the 1st digital animated film feature and an official entry for the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), this animated film created by our local studio of Cutting Edge Productions will be release in all theaters on December 25, 2008.
I just got into the Q and A in Ratskys and the voice artist behind the animated characters are in the hot seat with the press. The voice actors presents are celebrities and personalities like Nash Aguas, Nova Villa, Katrina Legaspi, Peque Gallaga, Pocholo Gonzales and many more.
(read more below)
I just learned that digital animation process is still the top style in producing animated features, because of it is time and cost efficient, the quality is good and for me Dayo is a great masterpiece that will lift the animation studio and artist here in the Philippines.And because that is is done by digital technology, meaning that the process of creating the animation is "paper less".
The Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia soundtrack is one of the best animated sountrack and the 1st ever here in the Philippines. With a magic touch of great roster of artists, everything that is in Dayo is a truly a work of art, more than a masterpiece, don't know what word should I describe. I almost cried and felt this goosebump after watching the Dayo full trailer in the press con, because I have this big support in our local artist and studio, I helped Dayo in promoting the film in two of my biggest events and conventions and with that help, it will really give a big word of mouth to everyone that Dayo is here and watch out for it. I see that the time pressure and workload of Cutting Edge Productions really pays off. I'm very excited to see the full film.
more photos of the press con at Dayo "movie voice actors" press con
and at Dayo - sa mundo ng Elementalia - PR photos
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Meet the voices behind ‘Dayo’
Cutting Edge Productions, the local studio behind the first full-length paperless animated feature “Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia,” brings together the finest voice actors in the Philippine entertainment industry to jazz up and add zest to the film’s animated characters.
“Dayo” is a heartwarming story of overcoming one's fear and triumphing over adversity. It centers on the 11-year-old Bubuy (voiced by Nash Aguas) who is out to save his abducted grandparents in the land of Elementalia, a magical and mystical world that houses many of the Philippines' mythical creatures and other enchanted elements. Along the way, Bubuy meets Anna (voiced by Katrina Legaspi), a teen manananggal (a winged creature that can separate her torso from her lower body) who befriends and helps Bubuy in his quest to rescue his beloved grandparents.
This is Nash and Katrina's first animation voicing experience and it certainly spelled fun for them. "I really enjoyed doing the voice of Bubuy," says Nash gleefully. "I was very happy when I learned that I got the part, because it was different from what I usually do on TV. My favorite part is when I met Anna for the first time and she brought me to Elementalia." Nash adds that he felt as if he was just playing in the recording studio and he did not have any difficulty recording his parts.
On the other hand, Hopia, as Katrina is fondly called, loves the scene where she was introducing the beautiful underworld of Elementalia to Bubuy. "It felt like I was just welcoming Bubuy to my house," she expresses. "I also like the flying scene because I've always dreamt of flying. I'm so excited to see the whole movie already."
Even though the cast did not have any visual support during the recording, director Robert Quilao was there to visualize for them. "With the screenplay on hand, the actors are called in the studio to record their respective dialogues," Robert describes. "This is when I briefed them on the mood and tone of the scene and directed them as to how the dialogues are to be delivered. The challenge for me as the director is to paint a vivid picture of what's happening in the scene for the actors to act and deliver their lines accordingly."
Robert also did not have a hard time directing the voice talents since almost all of them are seasoned actors and directors. "There was practically no need for a workshop," he continues. "The most we were able to do was brief them about the story and the characters that they will be playing on the day that they were called to record in the studio. Even Nash and Hopia did not have a hard time internalizing their characters."
Since schedule is a major concern for many of the voice artists, the creative team had to work around their availability. More so, it's not really possible to gather all of them together to record the scenes that would require them to interact. In such situations, Robert would feed the lines of the other characters during the recording session to create a natural flow in the conversation. "Although later on, we just played back the good takes of the characters that we had previously recorded for the one that we are currently recording," Robert explains. "These recordings are then edited together to create a cohesive dialogue."
Adding more color and amusement to “Dayo” are its supporting cast.
Even before the controversial Pokwang was labeled as an aswang (ghoul or vampire) look-alike, the “Dayo” team already pegged her for the role of Vicky, the nanny manananggal of Anna, hence the character sketch is loosely based on her. "I didn't have to do any major voice adjustments for the role," says Pokwang. "I didn't have to lower or make my voice higher. I think I was just being my cool 'kalog' self that's why I had so much fun arguing with the role of Toti in Dayo."
Cutting Edge originally had news anchor Mike Enriquez to do the voice of Toti, one of Anna's bodyguards. But the team had to get someone who can mimic the famous newsman instead, and the best choice for this is veteran voice actor Pocholo Gonzales.
Anna's second bodyguard who has an unusual hearing impairment is named Jo and voiced by famed comedian Gabe Mercado.
Perhaps one of the most challenging character portrayals would be the role of Narsi, the narcissistic cool rocker tikbalang (the underworld creature with the head of a horse and the body of a human). There is no better versatile actor to do this than Michael V. "I prepare for every role that I play," Michael V states. "Even if I had previously done a horse voice for Enteng Kabisote 3, my role here is totally different.”
Playing the role of Lolo Nano, the cute resident sage of Elementalia, is no other than multi-awarded actor and director Peque Gallaga.
“Dayo” also features the voices of Noel Trinidad. He plays the role of Lolo Meong, Bubuy's grandfather who shares the kid's penchant for flying. Nova Villa is Lola Nita, Bubuy's caring grandmother who nags Lolo Meong a lot. Johnny Delgado joins in as Carpio, Anna's dad who is Elementalia's head guardian. And completing “Dayo's” dream cast is distinguished actor and director Laurice Guillen playing a dual role of the kapre (the motherly cigar-smoking giant), and the Diwata/Bruha, the enchanting fairy with an evil alter ego.
“Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia” is an official entry to the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), and is co-presented by Frootees, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog and Mister Donut. The film is also supported by Ascorbic Acid Ceelin, Crispy Fry Breading Mix, Enervon Bright Brand, Timezone, FUJI YKL, Inquirer.net, Yehey.com, ClicktheCity.com, Animation Council of the Philippines, Toon Boom, Wacom, Woodpecker Studio, iAcademy and New Media.
For more information, visit the official movie web site at www.dayomovie.com.
‘Dayo’ OST in stores now
Even before “Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia” hits the cinemas on December 25, it has already registered a lot of firsts for the Philippine movie industry. “Dayo” has been brave in meeting heads on with films under proven box office formulas. But not only it is brave, it proves to be daring as it introduces another first in filmmaking, that of releasing its musical score recorded in full orchestra. “Dayo” is poised not only as a feast to the eyes but will seek to establish a deeper connection with the audience through its music.
Robert Quilao, Lea Salonga, Jessie Lasaten, Gerard Salonga and FILharmoniKA
Jessie Lasaten, multi-awarded film music composer and executive producer of “Dayo,” weaves magic this time complementing the digital animated film with an ensemble of an all-Filipino musical talent and the use of indigenous instruments. Providing for a multi-sensorial treat to audiences of all ages, “Dayo’s” soundtrack highlights the rendition of world-renowned performer Lea Salonga of the movie’s theme song, “Lipad.” Her version of “Lipad” and the whole film score were recorded together with the FILharmoniKA under the baton of Gerard Salonga.
Lea Salonga
It will be recalled that Lea had already lent her singing voice to Mulan and Princess Jasmine, both from Disney’s animated films. Lea’s track will accompany the first flight of Bubuy and Anna manananggirl. “Lipad is a song about believing in dreams and making them come true,” explains Jessie who collaborated with Temi Abad, Jr. in writing the lyrics. “Kaya mong lumipad,” is a line from the movie’s theme song. It speaks of an aspiration to soar and at the same time, talks about the readiness to reach new heights.
Aside from Lea’s inspirational version, upcoming band Roots of Nature sang an upbeat version of “Lipad.” This is currently released on the airwaves under the Sony BMG label.
Several notable artists also rendered their artistry for the completion of “Dayo’s” sound. Among them was Moymoy Palaboy singing "Kapit," a song about friendship. New band Juan Lunar performed "Daybreak," a song about being there for someone when they need you most. 
Roots of Nature and Moy Moy Palaboy
“We have music that combines full orchestral instrumentation with the ethnic instruments of Joey Ayala. I've composed new themes for the major characters. In terms of scoring the scenes, I've combined orchestral score with Filipino ethnic instruments especially when Bubuy enters Elementalia. We asked Joey to sing the Elementalia Dayo song as well as have him perform his "hegalong " a two-string lute instrument. He also played kubing (jaw harp), kulintang (ethnic gong), and nose flute which added texture to the score in the Elementalia scenes,” narrates Jessie about the extent of his team’s efforts in coming up with the movie’s full soundtrack. This multi-faceted musical scoring will guarantee to carry the viewers from one scene to the next, bridging animation and real life.
Despite Jessie’s proven track record in garnering awards, he has something else in mind when it comes to “Dayo’s” music. “I'd choose Dayo to be commercially popular. I guess instrumental albums, much less an original score for a movie are rarely released nowadays. I would want the public to know that we can still come up with original instrumental music for orchestra,” stresses Jessie on the direction he’d want to head in.
“Dayo’s” original soundtrack recording is in stores now. It is released through Sony BMG.
For more details about the movie, log on to www.dayomovie.com.
“Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia,” an official entry to the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), is co-presented by Frootees, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog and Mister Donut. The film is also supported by Ascorbic Acid Ceelin, Crispy Fry Breading Mix, Enervon Bright Brand, Timezone, FUJI YKL, Inquirer.net, Yehey.com, ClicktheCity.com, Animation Council of the Philippines, Toon Boom, Wacom, Woodpecker Studio, iAcademy and New Media.
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