Hero for Pinoy values

From the dynamic duo composed of director Avid Liongoren and screenplay writer Carlo Vergara, comes another must-watch animation led by a tomcat named Heneral Tuna voiced by Manny Angeles.

The animated series is one of the values formation projects of the National Commission for Culture and Arts that is currently being shown on the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Facebook page and the other social media of the arts and culture Commission.

“The NCCA is using animation, short films, teleserye to be able to communicate message and values in a subtle yet effective way,” NCCA officer-in-charge executive director Marichu Tellano declares.

“Heneral Tuna is from the Planet Mingming and his main task is to observe the earthlings, apparently because he is the best general on their planet. The plan is to invade the earthlings, but Heneral Tuna would feel like his heart is softening as he observes the members’ values,” Llongoren shares.

Why a cat then as the main character? Screenplay writer Vergara explains that cats, as central characters, can be very interesting.

“Cats seem to have a mind of their own. Cats are tactile creatures, malambing sila but are cunning and observant. As Heneral Tuna becomes part of a Filipino family, he becomes more curious about what constitutes a family,” Vergara added.

Before the animated series was made and developed as “Heneral Tuna,” NCCA commissioned a research that provided the answers on the most important values that Filipinos consider. Per the results of the research, the values that are highlighted in the Llongoren-Vergara cartoon creation are love of family and community, faith, health, wellness, welfare, and goodness.    

Also articulated in the research is how Filipinos give merit to the attainment of a higher degree and quality education, addressing of basic and important needs of the family unit in particular and the community in general, honesty and integrity, political stability, and good governance.  

As part of its values formation campaign, “Project Destination”, which stars  Migo Adecer, Kate Valdez, Royce Cabrera, Yul Servo, and Angeli Bayani, was launched a year ago.