The Philippine’s first full-length 3D animated feature film, “RPG: Metanoia,” is an official entry to the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival! The 3D film is made by Filipinos, and it took several years of diligent expertise to finish it!

Directed by animation veteran Luis Suarez (a creative director with more than 10 years in the animation business and with two indie films to his credit), “RPG: Metanoia” features the voices of Aga Muhlach as Daddy, Basty Alcanses as Mark/Adonis, Jairus Aquino as Bryan/Mang Ernie, Zaijian Jaranilla as Nico/Zero, Eugene Domingo as Mommy, Mika dela Cruz as May/C4Cassandra, Vhong Navarro as Cel, Aaron Junatas as Bobby/Sumpak, among others.

“RPG: Metanoia” is expected to become a favorite among teeners, as Metanoia is a cyber game. The story tells about Nico, a typical 10-year old boy who frequents internet cafes to play Metanoia, a massively multiplayer on-line role-playing game. Nico or Zero is the hero, in contrast to his weak and timid life.

Suddenly a villain cyber character appears and tries to capture not only the cyber world of Zero but also the one which is real. Thus, the adventure and actions begin!

Direk Suarez said there will be more than enough 3D glasses for everyone. And the good news? Prices of admission tickets will not be increased!

The production of “RPG: Metanoia” proves that Filipino talents in animation are already at par with the rest of the world. We also have the necessary technology. Hence, the producers who ventured in this animation project deserve to be commended for their faith in the Filipino talent, and taking the risk whether Filipinos are now fully ready to welcome such animated feature film like “RPG: Metanoia.”

Sources say that it is more expensive to produce an animated full-length feature film than a regular 35-mm movie. Especially when it is 3D! Besides, it takes more time, or years to prepare the materials and then shoot them on a 24 frames per second basis.

“RPG: Metanoia” is therefore a milestone in the country’s animation industry.

The producers deserve more than congratulations! They are Ambient Media, Star Cinema and Thaumatrope Animation. With “RPG: Metanoia,” Charles Rapaport of Ambient Media promises to put the Philippines in the world map of animation.

• • •
Big Mike Prods. looking for talents

A new talent center and event management company called Big Mike Productions is looking for potential applicants to join their stable of talents for live entertainment, movies, TV, commercials, runways and related projects and event launches.

Toward this end, Big Mike Productions will conduct a Personality Development Workshops starting Dec. 19 to 23, and 28 to 30, 2010 at 38-C West Triangle, West Ave., Quezon City.

The workshops will be in three batches: Morning for children, afternoon for young adults and evening for the employed. Geraldine “Gigi” Herrera, a product of Balintataw Film & Theater Arts, UNESCO-Phil. Center for Int’l. Theater Institute facilitates the workshop.

Herrera has produced and hosted as well a TV show titled “Maestra Viajes” for UNTV. “KNC Show” which Herrera co-hosts and co-directs was recently nominated at the Golden Dove and Anak TV.

• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Dec. 14, go to singer and international theater performer Leo Valdez, Sec. Phillip Ella Juico, Domingo Pabalate, director Nick Lizaso, Nancy Muñoz-Chiongbian, Atty. Dan de Padua of GMA-7, Ryan Palma of California, Grace Tapia, Danilo V. Clarino, Juiljo Pisk, Eda Nolan of Star Magic, and Mark Herras and Joshua Dionisio of GMA Artist Center...