‘Ibong Adarna’ flies again

Jun Urbano with the cast of ‘Ibong Adarna: The Pinoy Adventure’

Director Jun Urbano considers himself fortunate that he is part of the latest film remake of “Ibong Adarna: The Pinoy Adventure.”

“Alam kong marami ng gumawa ng iba’t-ibang version pero ito pa rin ang pinili kong gawan ng remake kasi maganda ang story, na kahit ilang beses mong panuorin ay ’di ka magsasawa,” the film director told Bulletin Entertainment in an interview, Thursday.

The circa 18th century story involving a magical bird was first made into a movie in 1939 by director Victor Salumbides with Urbano’s late father, Manuel Conde, as technical supervisor. It was Conde who made the first color version of the tale in 1955.

Another version directed by Pablo Santiago, starring Comedy King Dolphy and Rosanna Ortiz, hit theaters in 1972.

Urbano, who popularized the character Mr. Shooli in the comedy series “Mongolian Barbecue,” made changes in the story to ensure that today’s youth could relate to it.

“Kaya hindi kami gumamit ng mga King, ng mga kaharian sa ibang lugar. Ang ginawa namin is, we picked a real tribe in Mindanao, ’yung T’boli,” he said.

Urbano said that it was big challenge for the production to give life to the Ibong Adarna and the other characters through Computer Graphic Imaging (CGI).

“Halos six months namin ginawa ’yung Haribon, ‘yung mga nuno sa punso…’Yung iba kailangan pa naming i-transform ’yung itsura.”

In the film, Prinsepe Sigasig (played by Rocco Nacino) will try to save his dying father (Joel Torre), by capturing the Adarna (Binibining Pilipinas 2012 candidate Karen Gallman) and making it sing for him.

Asked why he picked Nacino, Urbano simply answered, “Kasi Pinoy na Pinoy ang mukha niya.”

He added, “’Yung iba kasing artista na nakikita ko eh, Chinito, American… parang hindi bagay mag-play as a Pilipinong prinsipe.”

Urbano aims to screen the film, which received the endorsement of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, in schools and universities around the country before the year ends.

Also in the cast are Joel Torre as the Sultan; Angel Aquino as the sultan’s wife; Leo Martinez as the sultan’s covetous and greedy half-brother; Lilia Cuntapay as the wicked witch; and Pat Fernandez as the fairy who helps the prince locates the Adarna, among many others.

Produced by Gurion Entertainment, “Ibong Adarna: The Pinoy Adventure” will open in theaters nationwide on Oct. 1.

‘Ibong Adarna’ flies again

Source: Mb.com.ph (August 30, 2014 at 01:42PM)

Continue...