iACADEMY Animation Student Receives ₱50,000 Grant as Visayas’ Inspiring Storyteller at Inspiring Philippines 2026

Buhi, created by Cahrop through Muni-Moonie Studio, follows a pre-colonial Visayan villager in the aftermath of a deeply traumatic experience. As she carries the weight of what she has endured, the film explores her quiet and internal journey toward healing and a renewed understanding of what it means to be “buhi”—to be free and alive. The project also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, reflecting the film’s broader focus on awareness, dignity, and social impact.

For Monique Fandagani, Program Coordinator for Animation at iACADEMY’s School of Design and the Arts, Buhi demonstrates how animation can serve as a powerful medium for stories that require sensitivity and thoughtful representation.

“In my native language, ‘Buhi’ means to live or to be alive. It is a word filled with emotion, and I believe that feeling can be expressed powerfully through animation. But how do we guide our students toward being able to tell stories like this? That is where our curriculum plays an important role. The technical subjects we teach are not simply assignments—they are the tools that allow our students to become artists and storytellers. By developing a strong foundation in the technical fundamentals of animation, our students learn how to translate their ideas, experiences, and passions into visual stories. They take what begins as an abstract idea, apply the skills they have developed, and ultimately bring those stories to life through animation”, said Fandagani.

Dean Hamill Buyco, Dean of the School of Design and the Arts, emphasized the significance of the recognition in highlighting the ability of Filipino student creators to tell culturally grounded stories with wider social relevance.

“Buhi reflects the kind of storytelling we hope to develop in our students—stories that are rooted in culture, informed by research, and capable of engaging audiences with important social realities. Receiving the Visayas’ Inspiring Storyteller grant is a meaningful recognition of Mary Anne’s creative vision and her commitment to using animation as a medium for purposeful storytelling,” said Buyco.