iACADEMY Animation Students Directing their own Animated Short Film as NCCA Competitive Grantee

Even before they graduate, iACADEMY BS Animation students gather opportunities for competitions, grants and film screenings of their own animated films. 

“Alamat ng Apo (The Legend of Olongapo City),” is a 2D paperless animation project headed by iACADEMY Animation students together with Top Draw Animation. This project has been awarded NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts) Competitive Grantee.

The project is directed by recent BS Animation graduate  Luis Martin F. Delgado and Kirsten Sky M. De Ocampo, who were previous Momentum President and Secretary respectively; their thesis film “Mono:Tono” also won Best Environment Design in ATFS 2026. 

The producers are Micaella del Rosario who was the Public Relations Officer in Momentum Organization and Elisha Ezra Pineda was the Offline Activities Manager. We also have Visual Director Charlene Degorio who is currently a 4th year BS Animation student working on their own thesis. 

The project reflects the collaborative nature of animation production, bringing together students from different year levels to develop a creative work rooted in Philippine storytelling. 

Through its Animation Program, iACADEMY provides students with opportunities to apply their technical and creative skills to actual production projects. It is also part of their curriculum to learn about film festivals and film competitions whether national or international. Experiences such as these allow students to move beyond classroom exercises and engage with creative processes that mirror industry practice.

The recognition further highlights the potential of student-led productions to contribute to the growing Philippine animation and creative industry while giving young creators a platform to develop their voices and craft.

DIRECTORS STATEMENT
(Directed by LUIS MARTIN F. DELGADO and KIRSTEN SKY M. DE OCAMPO)

“Fighting corruption is not just good governance. It’s self-defense, it's patriotism.”

Filipinos are angry, the youth are angry, we’ve suffered so much because of corrupt politicians who sit on a pedestal and abuse their status. We wanted to show this message through animation and folktale, Empowering the newer generation and informing the old through this film.

May this film be a message to the Filipino that we deserve good governance, fight for justice, and let corrupt politicians be held accountable in these dire times, to always remind that never be silent for what is right.

PRODUCERS STATEMENT
(Produced by MICCAELLA DEL ROSARIO and ELISHA EZRA PINEDA)

"Ang mga namulat, ay hindi na muling pipikit."

Our team wants for this film to serve as a wake up call to the Filipinos who still choose to put up with the corruption that's been poisoning the country for years and years. We wanted to show a reality that could happen if we band together and choose to break the cycle- By creating a story that's both eye-opening and eye-catching while showcasing Filipino culture.

We sincerely hope to bring light not only the beauty of Filipino culture, but also to the stories that aren’t often told.” Photos courtesy from Tuldok Animation Studios.