Cebu could become an animation and creative hotspot in the Visayas, according to Toon City company executives.
Manila-based Toon City, which is recognized as one of the top animation studio in the Philippines and the world, is now looking at Cebu as a major source for animators.
The company, which ranked 22nd best in the world, is working with the likes of Disney, Warner Bros., and Universal Studios.
ToonCity sample works
Developing Cebu as major hub for animation could also help boost the industry’s goal of increasing animation earnings to one percent of the $270-billion total global revenues for animation, said Roderico Rene de Guzman, vice president for Toon City and chief operations officer of Toon City Academy (TCA).
At present, the country’s animation industry revenues is placed at $20 million to $30 million.
Juan Miguel del Rosario, president and chief executive officer of Toon City, noted that there’s a huge demand for animators in the country due to the rising demand for animation from global entertainment companies.
Because of this, Toon City is looking at Cebu as a possible source of animators.
Rene De Guzman, Vice President of ToonCity Animation and COO of ToonCity Academy, Inc.
“Toon City is looking for animators. There’s a lot of work and we know for a fact that people in Cebu are very talented. And we would like to expand our reach by asking the young people of Cebu to join Toon City or Toon City Academy,” De Guzman said.
The TCA is the official training arm of Toon City, with veteran Filipino animators as instructors. It will start operations of its Cebu City facility by June this year.
According to Del Rosario, jobs in animation industry pays well and provides jobs even for those who have not finished a four-year course. He added that 60 percent of their animators are non-college graduates.
Animators earn from P24,000 to P25,000 monthly, which is not bad especially for those who haven’t finished a four-year college course, Del Rosario pointed out.
He added that there are even some Toon City animators who earn up to P100,000 monthly.
“We believe in the creativity of the Cebuanos. We believe the talent (for animation) is in Cebu,” said Del Rosario. “We would like to share this opportunity for Cebu to shine in the field of animation because we believe in the creativity of the Cebuanos.”
“We’re really here to tap the talent of Cebuanos and provide opportunity for them to work with us,” De Guzman said.
They started accepting applications from those interested to work for Toon City and will continue to accept job applications.
Because the studio has a big client base, Toon City’s presence in Cebu will help provide job opportunities for Cebu-based animators, according to Toon City Academy Cebu president Mario Panganiban.
Mario Panganiban, President of ToonCity Academy Cebu
Toon City will be bringing jobs and would not compete with local studios because they would need more people to cope with the big projects given to them, Panganiban stressed.
TCA Cebu will provide training for animators to the level and quality required by the major global entertainment companies, he said.
Trainings conducted at ToonCity Academy, Inc.
Panganiban noted that the potential and possibilities are great for Cebu if it could prove that it has enough talents that meet the level their clients require.
He added that Cebu’s creative sector could also look at other possible sources of revenue.
Even if Toon City caters to the entertainment industry, Panganiban noted that Cebu could also cater the gaming industry.
In 2020, the global gaming market was valued at $162.32 billion. It is projected to increase to $295.63 billion by 2026.
The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with Toon City and TCA, conducted a Virtual Animation Career Fair and Webinar last Saturday, April 24.
ToonCity Virtual Animation Carrer Fair and Webinar conducted last April 24, 2021
The event’s goal was to take the creative talents of the Cebuanos to a higher level and give them the opportunity to be competent in the field of animation.
The sponsors of the event include Wacom, a global company based in Japan; ASUS, and Seagate Technology.
Wacom’s vision to bring people and technology closer together through natural interface technologies has made it the world’s leading manufacturer of interactive pen tablets and displays as well as of digital styli and solutions for saving and processing digital signatures.
ASUS is a multinational company known for the world’s best motherboards and high-quality personal computers, monitors, graphics cards, routers and other technology solutions. Today, ASUS is designs and builds next-generation smart technologies to provide incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere.
Seagate Technology, a world leader in data storage solutions, helps to maximize humanity’s potential by innovating world-class precision-engineered data storage and management solutions with a focus on sustainable partnerships. LaCie, the premium brand of Seagate Technology, designs world-class storage solutions for photographers, videographers, audio professionals, and other power users.
