To the many Filipino animators, the name Gerry Garcia is legendary. A pioneering artist who single handedly created the Filipino animation possible. For those who can remember, back in the 80"s the first ever Philippine-made cartoon for television was "Panday." And it was the creation of Gerry Garcia himself.
Likewise, in 1997, Garcia cemented his legacy as he made the first ever-Filipino full-length animated feature film- "Adarna."
His work in "Adarna" got him awards from many sectors, including, an award from the first lady of the Philippines herself- Ming Ramos.
Now almost 11 years after he made Philippine animation history, Gerry Garcia, who now lives in New Jersey, is fighting for his legacy.
In a recent episode of the ABS-CBN program Rated-K, hosted by Korina Sanchez, a group of animators are claiming that their upcoming animated film, "Urduja," is actually the first digital and traditional full-length animated feature in the Philippine history.
It may have been a case of oversight on the part of the animators, directors and producers of "Urduja," or even Ms. Sanchez herself, but Gerry Garcia, has raised a red flag over the whole thing.
He was shocked.
"Sana mag research man lang sila, bago sila magbitaw ng salita," said Garcia
in an exclusive interview with the Express "Si Korina sanchez pa mismo ang nag present ng award sa akin nung 1997 for "Adarna!"
Whatever prompted the people involved in the production of "Urduja" to claim that it is the first ever remains unclear, however, Garcia has his own speculations.
"It's all for publicity," Garcia continued. "Sinasabi nila na sila ang una para sumigaw ako. Para magkaroon ng publicity ang movie nila.
When asked how he felt when he saw the Rated K segment. He said he was shocked.
"Nabigla ako sa mga kini-claim nila at ano ang ebidensya na nagpapatunay na sila ang unang animated movie? Ang aking paniniwala ay ang ADARNA po ang unang una animated movie ng Philippine Cinema, sa dahilan po na nabigyan po ng award ng Special Award ng Metro Manila Film Festival nuong December 27,1997 na nakasaad sa tropeo na "ADARNA kaunaunahang animated Movie sa Philippine Cinema" at ganoon din po sa FAMAS at sa ibang bansa sa Japan, na tinangkilik sa 7th Hiroshima Animation Festival as "Asian Collection "nuong 1998"
Garcia does not intend to file any charges because of the alleged disinformation by the producers of 'Urduja.' For him, he simply wants the truth to be told.
"Gusto ko ipaalam ang totoo, Kailangan manalo ang katotohanan. Sana tanggapin nila na may nauna sa kanila," Garcia concluded.
Adarna was released in 1997 as part of the Metro Manila Film Festival. It featured the voices of big-named Filipino stars like Jolina Magdangal, Regine Velasquez, and Martin Nievera. Garcia wrote and directed the animated flick. It was under FLT Productions and Guiding Light Productions. The film is still considered the first full-length animated feature film in the Philippines movie history until the recent challenge by the makers of "Urduja."
Surprisingly, Regine Velasquez also rendered the main character's voice in 'Urduja.'
In an excerpt of one of 'Urduja's' press releases, producer, Tony Tuviera of TAPE, the same outfit that brings Eat Bulaga to millions of Filipino homes, said that he strongly believes that he made the first of its kind.
"I wanted to give our animators a chance to be recognized," he declares, "They are actually doing a lot of animation abroad - some of them are in Pixar, Disney…ang dami. They are doing animation but never silang nakakuha ng credit. Yung mga Biker Mice…so sabi ko, bakit hindi sila bigyan ng recognition dito?'
"As a result, Urduja is a product of traditional and digital animation that is hailed as the first of it's kind in the Philippines."
It was hard enough for Garcia to create his legacy when he did all his landmark works, but it seems that it is even harder to fight for that legacy in this age diminutive attention span.
Gerry Garcia is fighting to be remembered. And he has the evidence to prove it. Hence, he believes that he will have no trouble winning the fight. For him, history is on his side.
Source: Ted Reyes/Filipino Express
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