Global Smurfs Day a hit in Phl

CEBU, Philippines - In celebration of the birthday of Peyo, the creator of the Smurfs, the world celebrated Global Smurfs Day last June 22, anticipating the release of “The Smurfs 2” in Philippine theaters August 7.

In the Philippines, families and fans flocked for fun-filled festivities at the SM Mall of Asia atrium where they enjoyed a Smurftastic afternoon of lively games, blue-frosted cupcakes, Lala Smurf song sing-offs, and art activities for kids.

This was the second celebration of Global Smurfs Day in what has quickly become a tradition. In 2011, the round-the-world events included painting one of the famous White Towns of Andalusia blue and setting a new record for Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Smurfs within a 24-hour Period (Multiple Venues).

This year, the studio has lined up an equally impressive program of events, highlighted by a worldwide Smurf Ambassadors initiative, in which over 40 ambassadors from 28 countries (including the Philippines) represented Smurfs fans from around the world with a special day of events celebrating Peyo’s creation.

The Smurf ambassadors dressed as Smurfs began their day in Brussels, where Peyo’s daughter Veronique Culliford officially appointed them as Smurf representatives of their countries. Freshly charged with their ambassadorial duties, the group boarded a Thalys train and shot off to Paris, the locale of the adventures in Columbia Pictures / Sony Pictures Animation’s “The Smurfs 2.” With a few surprises in store and a sightseeing tour of the French capital, the ambassadors were tasked with a mission that is the stuff of high diplomacy: to leave a happy trail of blue smiles in their wake, and herald the arrival of the new film.

In this sequel to Columbia Pictures / Sony Pictures Animation’s hybrid live action/animated family blockbuster comedy The Smurfs™, the evil wizard Gargamel creates a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties that he hopes will let him harness the all-powerful, magical Smurf-essence. But when he discovers that only a real Smurf can give him what he wants, and only a secret spell that Smurfette knows can turn the Naughties into real Smurfs, Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette and brings her to Paris, where he has been winning the adoration of millions as the world’s greatest sorcerer. It’s up to Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy, and Vanity to return to our world, reunite with their human friends Patrick and Grace Winslow, and rescue her! Will Smurfette, who has always felt different from the other Smurfs, find a new connection with theNaughties Vexy and Hackus or will the Smurfs convince her that their love for her is True Blue?

The film is directed by Raja Gosnell and produced by Jordan Kerner. The screenplay is by J. David Stem & David N. Weiss and Jay Scherick & David Ronn and Karey Kirkpatrick with a story by J. David Stem & David N. Weiss & Jay Scherick & David Ronn, Based on the Characters and Works of Peyo.

The story of the Smurfs – a property created by Peyo – started in 1958 with the creation of comic books which were later brought to both the big and small screen. Over the years, the little blue characters haven’t just limited themselves to the page and the screen. They have inspired records and CDs that have sold millions of copies, entire collections of figurines and toys, and many more products. In all, more than 3,000 derived products have been produced and leading brands and companies have spread their messages worldwide with the help of the Smurfs. A multitude of new projects appear regularly, thus making the success of the Smurfs planetary. (FREEMAN)