Director’s Intent

This short film is a tribute to the kalumbata (Philippine eagle) and the various ethnic groups in the Philippines that we consider as national symbols of the Philippines. However, they are most vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. They are living symbols on paper but are suppressed live in their homes. It is also a tribute to individuals who sacrifice their lives to improve the situation and fight for the rights of the cultural communities as well as nature.

As an artist and cultural worker, my art must serve society. I intend that through this platform, I might create discourse and bring new perspectives on the issues that we encounter today. As an animator, I aim to help people realize and learn something from the short film, as well as give life to the short film’s main character. Through this, I want to offer hope and promote awareness that may lead to concrete solutions in the future. With these, it would be enough reason and purpose to make the story of Kalumbata soar.

Conceptualization

As Bicolanos, it is fairly common for us to experience the wrath of typhoons. After typhoons calm down, while cleaning up the debris left by their aftermath, I have watched how birds would return to their homes, take shelter in bare and broken trees, and re-build their nests.

I drew inspiration from watching these birds and got the concept for the short film Kalumbata – the realization of the similarity between the plight of birds and humans whenever storms wreak destruction. I want to tell a narrative that the creatures that exist in the same habitat are inter-connected. The struggle of each is the struggle of all. People in this common habitat affect all that surrounds them, including animals.

The film narrates how new havoc seems to be unnatural, but it could be as strong and destructive. It is brought by those people who are greedy and in power. Unlike the previous disasters, it leaves no trace as it erases everything it passes through. This scenario is presented in Kalumbata wherein the admired bird king is in danger in his kingdom.

Synopsis

Kalumbata is about the parallelism between the struggles of an endangered eagle and an indigenous community living in the same habitat.

After a massive storm, an endangered eagle builds a new nest despite the threats that lurk around its habitat; coincidentally, an indigenous community living in the same place struggles with their right to live.

A male kalumbata (Philippine Eagle) is seen roving around an ancient mountain’s skies. He is looking for the perfect place to start anew, where his partner can lay and raise their brood. Upon discovering a suitable lauan tree to settle, he build their nest piece by piece using dried twigs and other materials. After finishing the nest, they finally occupy it—a perfect home for the two.

Meanwhile, the sounds of machinery and people are heard below. Suddenly, the lauan tree starts shaking, prompting the two kalumbata to fly away out of fear. Then, the tree falls with the nest. The machinery pauses operations. On the ground lies the fallen tree and the nest destroyed. Inside is a cracked egg. The kalumbatas fly back and perch near the nest, lamenting their loss.

In the background, the indigenous people living in the same area are being forced to leave their homes by elements of a private corporation. Their ancestral domains are being converted into mining sites.

Director’s Profile

RYAN C. CUATRONA, LPT, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Illustration and Animation at Ateneo de Naga University, class of 2017. In 2020, he started taking his Masters in Computer Graphics and Animation. He is currently a full-time SHS teacher at the same university under the Arts and Design Track – 2D Animation and Visual Effects Strand. He is in his 3rd year as the moderator of Liga ng Kabataang Humuhubog ng Adbokasiya or LIKHA, a co-curricular organization that advocates for social change through visual art. He got his break in filmmaking when his first experimental film Yamën (2012) became a finalist in the Gawad CCP para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Bodyo. In 2015 he directed his first 3D animated short film, Tacay, which won 3rd Place in the same festival. He served as the production designer for the Bikol film, Hinulid (2016), was nominated for Best Production Design at 40th Gawad Urian, and won the Best Visual Design at the 24th Filipino International Cine Festival in San Francisco, California. He is a skilled story artist, a published writer, illustrator, book designer for several universities and independent press, and a cultural worker in his hometown at Buhi, Camarines Sur.

Producer’s Profile

This film was produced by the Department of Digital Arts and Computer Animation (DACA) is one of the departments in Ateneo de Naga University College of Computer Studies in collaboration with the Senior High School is AD-2D Animation and Visual Effects (AVFX). The collaboration of the two departments aims to produce globally excellent animation and promote the growth and development of the animation industry in the Philippines, especially in Bicol, in order to contribute to the improvement of the lives of Bikolanos.

The Ateneo Animation Production team is composed of professional teachers and students from Ateneo de Naga University. Their passion is for the arts and they create stories that reflect society. The team consists of three departments: 2D, 3D, and Post-Production Department. The small film production team was recognized last November 20, 2022 by the City Government of Naga commending its 2D-3D short animated film, Kalumbata.

Last September 16, 2022, Kalumbata received a Special Mention Award in the 5th Edition of Sine Kabataan Short Film Lab and Competition (SineKab) held at the TriNoma Mall Cinema 6, Quezon City. Mr. Ryan C. Cuatrona (Director) and Ms. Mavreen Anne E. Romero-Camacho (Co-Director) represented the production team during its premiere night and awarding ceremony.