A few months back, Rock Ed Philippines asked me to make the music video for “Kaninong Anino“, a song from the ROCK RIZAL album in celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal’s 150th anniversary. It was easy for me to say yes since the music and the idea behind the project is already wonderful and impressive to begin with.
I originally intended for the video to be in live-action full of intensive special effects and green-screen shots. The original storyboard featured a post-apocalyptic vision of Manila complete with flying jeepneys and hologram images, something I’ve always wanted to do. Here are test videos I made.
Rizal Monument test
Quezon Memorial Circle test with actual footage of people in the foreground
While this project was in progress, I also started experimenting with animation. I was very happy with the feedback on the Andong Agimat video so it was then and there that I decided to go with that medium for the Rock Ed video instead.
The concept remains the same except that with animation, I realized that I can show Rizal as the main character walking amidst ruins. I knew it would be a mistake to try and interpret the lyrics literally so I put a lot of symbolism in the video. We see the structures of Manila all destroyed, however the monuments are still standing. It’s my way of saying that with all the corruption, our country has deteriorated and because of consumerism, we seem to have forgotten our heroes and what they fought for. However their images are still intact and that’s one thing that should encourage us to go on.
The concept came about when I was driving along EDSA and saw all the bilboards and dizzying neon signs representing our modern lifestyles and wondered what Rizal might think if he were here today. In fact, the opening scene of the video shows him looking at the P1.00 coin and I was wondering what he could be thinking, seeing that his image has been relegated to a mere peso coin. Then again if you think about it, one peso isn’t bad at all — it has the symbol “1” which means No. 1 and because of its minimum value, it’s accessible to every Juan. :)
I’m very happy with the video, my only hope is that people don’t focus too much on the destruction (although honestly that was the original intention. I believe you can’t powerfully illustrate the positive without contrasting it with the negative.) The end sequence where Rizal hurdles the broken bridge and takes a break from his tour should give people the idea that there is hope for our country and all of us.
I’m very thankful to Gang Badoy Capati (who wrote the moving lyrics) for trusting me with the video and kudos to all the musicians who inspired me in working on this memorable project. Here it is, please enjoy.
[…] You can read the rest of the “making of” notes on his blog. […]
[…] and wondered what Rizal might think if he were here today,” the animation artist Arnold Arre shared on his […]
[…] and wondered what Rizal might think if he were here today,” the animation artist Arnold Arre shared on his […]
[…] and wondered what Rizal might think if he were here today,” the animation artist Arnold Arre shared on his […]
[…] “The concept remains the same except that with animation, I realized that I can show Rizal as the main character walking amidst ruins. I knew it would be a mistake to try and interpret the lyrics literally so I put a lot of symbolism in the video. We see the structures of Manila all destroyed, however the monuments are still standing. It’s my way of saying that with all the corruption, our country has deteriorated and because of consumerism, we seem to have forgotten our heroes and what they fought for. However their images are still intact and that’s one thing that should encourage us to go on.” Arre wrote in his blog/art porfolio, […]
a meaningful song with a very creative animation! Hope I can help with the blog entry I created! Ang galing talaga!
http://trackingtreasure.net/?p=1370
I really love it, I really cried every time i watch it. I feel bad for rizal though, I think he’s disappointed on what happened to the Philippines now 🙁
INSPIRING
the best naman sya at naiintindihan ko ang mensahe ng awiting ito maganda at mabuti para sa mga kabataan
grabe talaga ng kanta bili ako dito ? ? ? ?
I’m so touched with the message :))
Our beloved professor asked us to write a reflection of the said music video. Actually as I watched it for the first time I know there were deep meanings behind that I cannot fully comprehend. Thanks to this blog it helped me a lot in doing my Task *Cheers*
Hi pooo pwede po pahelp ano pong sumisimbolo sa sirang tulay na tinawid ni rizal ineed your opinion po ty
BRAVO Arnold! This is a one-of-a-kind Filipino animation. The dystopian concept is brillant. It relates to my book on Rizal: A NATION ABORTED: RIZAL, AMERICAN HEGEMONY AND PHILIPPINE NATIONALISM. Hope to get in touch and talk shop with you. Have you seen the 20-minute video on Paciano Rizal–HENERAL RIZAL–I wrote the script (produced by Tanghalang Pilipino). See also my 5-minute film HIBIK SA DAPIT-HAPON (available on youtube). Let’s connect on Facebook or email. All the best for the New Year!