Cebuano artists have strong potential in digital animation

CEBU, Philippines - Foreseeing a promising market in Cebu, more Cebuanos are encouraged to be more active in the animation industry with their potentials in artistry and design. 

WACOM Singapore Sales Manager KC Leong said that the company is bullish that Cebuanos will be more inclined in the animation industry as they project budding digital artists in the province.

In its effort to reach out to the Filipino animators, WACOM has visited the country’s key cities – Manila on April 16, Davao on June 23 and Cebu on July 13 at Marriott Hotel.

“Our strategy here is based on the geographical location of the Philippines. We first make Manila and Davao strong then eventually radiate to Cebu which is the middle part. Filipinos are much sociable and more open to animation industry but we want more participation from Cebu,” he said.

Evident with the presence of the big animation studios in the capital city, he noted that the involvement of Manila is much solid in the animation industry with 80% of the market share nationwide.

He added that the company has also noticed more studios penetrating other cities outside Metro Manila and cited that people in Davao are more open with the industry compared in Cebu.

Projecting a five to 10 percent of contribution to the national animation industry, he then described Cebuanos as shy compared to animators from other cities yet possessing the potential to become artists. 

Using the word-of-mouth to promote digital arts, Leong said that such visit to Cebu is not about the idea of selling and earning money but on urging Cebuanos to be more digital and show to the world what they can do.

“Forget about the manual. It’s already digital in the future. We see a lot of opportunities here in the Cebu market thus we reach out to these people to accept digital art so these opportunities will go faster. It’s a transition cycle. Unlearn from the manual and learn the digital,” he stated.

With the given talent and advanced technology, he further acknowledged that Filipinos are better than Singaporeans with the former’s own touch and unique style in post-production, encouraging them to go out in the open field and make their own mark in the industry.

He also considered Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam as the top three countries displaying strong potential for animation in Southeast Asia.

To be more competitive, he said that WACOM intends to create national design competitions and conduct school workshops and digital art classes in universities nationwide.

With the given artistry skills, he added that drawing can be styled out and enhanced using the WACOM products.

In its aim to create technology for the next generation, the company introduced one of its products built for professional results – the Intuos5 pen tablets.

Intuos5 delivers a revolutionary pen tablet experience through the combination of the finest pen capabilities, intuitive multi-touch surface and other new productivity features.

WACOM’s product line also includes Cintiq interactive pen displays, Bamboo pen tablet lines, mobile and signature tablets.

“We make sure that once they draw, they are drawing with WACOM. The pen we created is so strong that it can replace the mouse for its basic functions. It can do more than the mouse. Now, going beyond the input devices, we will promote touch to do drawing using your ten fingers. We will introduce it very soon and by then, we hope Cebu is ready to accept it,” Leong told The FREEMAN.

 With its main headquarters in Japan, WACOM Co., Ltd. is a human interface company, graphical input technology provider, and maker of pen tablets, interactive pen displays and other interface devices worldwide. — (FREEMAN)