The world of Philippine animation runs out of powerful stories to tell. This year, we’ve witnessed the magic of animation as a limitless art form through new and upcoming projects that champion Filipino voices, identities, and creative communities.
In June, the nation beamed with pride for Sun Chaser, an upcoming series by Bobby Pontillas and Bernard Badion, which earned the Animation Du Monde Prize at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Market (MIFA). Just last month, Carl Joseph Papa’s eye-opening animated short, The Next 24 Hours, won the award for Best Short Film at the 21st Cinemalaya Film Festival.
Photo: GMA Pictures/YouTube
Things are looking up for the local animation industry. Next year, we can expect even more well-deserved milestones with Ella Arcangel: Awit ng Pangil at Kuko, an animated fantasy film directed by Mervin Malonzo, in partnership with GMA Pictures and Twenty Manila.
This much-awaited project began as a magical, horror-fantasy comic book series by Julius Villanueva, published by Haliya Publishing. Now, it’s getting its much-awaited big-screen breakthrough. Here’s everything we know so far about the titular character’s adventures as she gears up to make her debut in cinemas nationwide:
A Young Witch Destined for Greatness
Filipinos first met Ella Arcangel in 2017 through Ito Ay Panganib, volume one of Villanueva’s fantastical comics. It wasn’t long before readers adored the 12-year-old protagonist for her grit, fearlessness, and loyalty to her hometown, Barangay Masikap.
Every day is an adventure for Ella, who roams the streets of Manila as a mambabarang—a sorceress who wields various special powers that protect her fellow citizens from invasive mythical monsters. She follows in the footsteps of her grandmother, a witch who has also vowed to defend their barangay from the evil forces that hover around it.
Ella’s treacherous journey continues in Awit ng Pangil at Kuko, the sequel that also serves as the main inspiration for the upcoming film. The project’s teaser premiered on October 25, 2025, and has since gained ample praise from viewers and fans of the original comics.
“Ang tagal ko nang fan ni Sir Mervin at Sir Julius. Wala man akong copy ng mga works nila, I’ve followed Ella Arcangel closely after discovering it! I’m so happy,” one netizen commented on YouTube.
Another wrote, “Now THIS is the stuff… I hope more and more Filipino animated shows get made in the near future.”
Besides exploring urban myths and legends, the animated movie also reflects on the numerous adversities and injustices that Filipinos face every day, including poverty and corruption.
In an interview with 24 Oras, Villanueva explained, “Plight ng mga mahihirap, mga walang bahay, at ng mga pinapaalis sa mga bahay nila. ‘Yung mga dine-demolish ang bahay. Ayan ‘yung pinaka-goal ko noong ginawa ko ito. Mabigyan ng light ‘tong mga nangyayari.”
The Imaginative Minds Behind Ella Arcangel
It takes a village to bring a young heroine’s story to the big screen—under a major network, no less. What started as a passion project by Villanueva and Malonzo has now evolved into a fully fledged animated movie, thanks to the involvement of various big names in Philippine animation and entertainment.
Malonzo won a National Book Award for Tabi Po, his comic about Philippine mythology, which was adapted into a live-action series in 2017.
Moreover, Ella Arcangel: Awit ng Pangil at Kuko couldn’t have been possible without its producers, Manny Angeles and Avid Liongoren. The duo also wrote, directed, and produced Hayop Ka: The Nimfa Dimaano Story, the award-winning animated adult romantic comedy starring Angelica Panganiban, Robin Padilla, and Sam Milby.
Even Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, the president of GMA Pictures, expressed her full support for the animated film on 24 Oras: “Buhay pa rin ang comics… We want to really celebrate Filipinos’ artistry, pati sa comics. Exciting, dahil ang galing nila.”
More of Ella’s Missions and Quests
If you want to learn more about Ella Arcangel before watching her movie in theaters, you can start with Malonzo’s 19-minute short film, Ella Arcangel: Oyayi Sa Dilim.
The short follows our tenacious protagonist as she strives to solve the mysterious case of her neighbor’s ailing dog, which seemed to have been invaded by a parasite-like creature.
Oyayi Sa Dilim won the grand prize at the Animahenasyon Festival in 2020 and the Best Director Award at the Paris International Film Festival in 2022.
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What do you think of Ella Arcangel’s story and its upcoming film adaptation? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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