'Anito' soars high at the Asia TV Forum & Market

Animated film centering on Filipino legends wins the People's Choice Award

- ZOOM IN RICA AREVALO

LANDING INTO ADVENTURE 'Anito' follows Aaren as he encounters a mystical spirit realm.

John Arthur Mercader and his wife, Louie, are focused on creating the 3D full-length animated film, "Anito," and making it a franchise, a TV series, and even a theme park someday. At the moment, they are gathering investors and funders, and what better way to do so than by representing the Philippines at the ATF x TTB Animation Lab and Pitch 2025 in Singapore last Dec. 4.

"Anito" follows a young boy, Aaren, as his life is turned upside down when he encounters a mystical spirit realm teeming with both fantastical and fearsome creatures of Filipino legends. Lost and hunted by creatures, he struggles to find his way home.

It is important to show Filipino mythology and culture to the world. "Everybody knows about European folklore: the vampires, their gods and goddesses, giants, dwarves, elves," shares creative producer Louie.

"Growing up in the Philippines, we have a lot of stories that are now just slowly getting buried, and they are all as rich and interesting as them," says the 28-year-old mother of two. "Now that our audiences are craving for more diverse stories, and people are looking for more worlds to be built, now more than ever is the opportune time to bring the Philippines into the world."