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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Calling all young artists! Heneral Tuna wants you to create art inspired by him

Calling all young artists! Heneral Tuna wants you to create art inspired by him

Published Nov 5, 2022 08:05 am

The devious blue alien cat is returning to promote Filipino values

In today’s digital world, Filipino values can be easily forgotten by people who are constantly on their devices. Core values such as love for the family and community, honesty and integrity, and valuing culture, arts, and science, among others could easily be gone in the virtual world—and soon enough in the real world.

To help raise national awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the Filipino core and shared values, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts are using various multimedia products and platforms. One of its recent successes is its “Heneral Tuna” animated series, created with the help of Rocketsheep Studio’s Avid Liongoren as the director and graphic novel creator Carlo Vergara as the scriptwriter, together with Rob Cham, Charlene Sawit, Kevin Raymundo, and Geri Kristen Cruz as the concept development team and Manny Angeles lending his voice for the lead character.

“Heneral Tuna” centers on a renowned hero of Planet Mingming who was assigned to take over planet Earth. The devious alien cat accidentally crash-landed in the Philippines and decided to use the opportunity as a reconnaissance mission to observe the locals in preparation for his planned invasion. Unfortunately, he is too cute to be taken seriously and ends up learning about Filipino culture and values in his conquest. His experience in Barangay Hiraya teaches him more about himself and how to live his life to the fullest.

In the Philippines, the month of November is observed as Filipino Values Month. To celebrate it, the NCCA, through its Filipino Values Program, is launching numerous activities Filipinos can participate in and enjoy, one of which is the Heneral Tuna Fan Art Contest.

Running until Nov. 10, the art competition calls Filipino students and amateur artists aged 13 to 21 years old to interpret Heneral Tuna in their own art style while incorporating the Filipino values that were featured in each episode of the animated series. The contest is divided into two categories. First is the Traditional art for entries drawn or painted on wood, paper, and canvas. While the Digital Art category accepts digital paintings or illustrations created using any free or paid software. Cash prizes plus a certificate will be given to the chosen winners to be announced on Nov. 21.

The submission of entries will be online. Traditional art entries must be submitted as a scanned file while digital art entries must be submitted as a high-resolution rendered file. Earthlings can visit this link for the complete mechanics of the contest.

Fans of the series can also look forward to seeing their favorite cat general’s in books as the NCCA partners with Aklat Alamid, an independent publishing house, in releasing a children’s storybook series in various Filipino languages next year.

To stay updated about the fan art contest and Heneral Tuna’s adventures, visit @HeneralTunaOfficial on Facebook and Instagram.

Hello, readers! Do you have a story you want us to feature? Send us a message on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter and let’s talk about it. 

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