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Last April 19, the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Paco, Manila, hosted the fourth installment of the SineBata animation workshop, an initiative organized by Anak TV.

As a dedicated member-network, GMA is proud to support Anak TV's ongoing commitment to fostering media literacy and advocating for television content that is both child-sensitive and family-oriented.

The annual SineBata program serves as a three-day intensive filmmaking workshop designed to empower young people between the ages of 8 and 17 to explore and refine their creative talents.

Notably, this year's edition marks a significant expansion, as animation has been introduced as a primary focus for the first time.

To lend his expertise to the program, Mr. Ramil Escarda, Vice President and Head of Digital Content Production and Creatives for GMA New Media, Inc., was invited to serve as an instructor, providing guidance to the young participants as they embark on their animation journey.

In an exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com, Ramil shared his experience in imparting his knowledge of animation to the next generation.

According to him, it was a fulfilling experience not only to teach the children animation but also to serve as an inspiration for them to create a masterpiece from their own stories.

“Honestly, it's very fulfilling. There's something special about sharing what you've learned over the years and seeing that spark in students when you can tell they're getting inspired or starting to think of ideas of their own,” Ramil said.

He continued, “For me, it's not just about teaching animation. It's about encouraging them to create and actually finish something. If even one or two students walk away inspired to tell their own story, that already means a lot.”

He also shared his own beginnings before becoming the animator he is today. According to him, he started out simply by being inspired by stories, stories that pushed him to be creative, which eventually led to his desire to bring simple narratives to life.

“What inspires me most are stories. Growing up, I had a lot of ideas in my head, but I didn't always have the tools to bring them to life. So my journey started simple: drawing, experimenting, trying different roles in the creative field. And even now, I'm still learning.

“I think that's important for young creators to understand, you don't need to have everything figured out. You just need to keep creating,” he said.

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Ramil also expressed that he wants aspiring animators to remember the importance of a “strong” and “inspiring” story that will leave a lasting impact on everyone who watches the simple animations they produce.

“If there's one thing, it would be: 'Story comes first. Always.' No matter how good your animation looks, if the story doesn't connect, people won't remember it. But even a simple animation, very basic, if the story is strong, it will stay with people,” Ramil expressed.

He also shared his sentiments on why it is important to teach animation at an early age, noting that the field has the capacity to further sharpen the creativity, storytelling, and problem-solving skills of today's youth.

“It's very important, especially today. We live in a time where content is everywhere. So instead of just consuming, it's important that young people learn how to create,” he said.

“Animation helps develop creativity, storytelling, and problem-solving. And the earlier they're exposed to it, the more confident they become in expressing their ideas,” he added.

Touching on the role of emerging AI technology in his craft, Ramil also addressed the growing conversation surrounding artificial intelligence in the creative industry.

“AI is a very powerful tool. It can speed up workflows; like generating pre visualization materials, ideas, even parts of animation, so it's very helpful, especially for independent creators. But at the same time: AI doesn't replace creativity, it depends on it,” Ramil said.

“If the story or idea is weak, AI won't fix that. So instead of being afraid of it, I think animators should learn how to use it responsibly and creatively,” he continued.

In a final note of encouragement, Ramil underscored the importance of perseverance, reminding the young creators that while technology is constantly shifting, their unique personal voice remains their most powerful asset.

“My advice is simple: 'Start small, but finish something.' Don't wait for everything to be perfect before you begin. Even if it's just 10 seconds, a simple idea, basic animation. As long as you finish it, you build confidence. Also remember that 'Tools will change. Technology will evolve. But your stories, that's what makes you unique',” he expressed.

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Recently, Post-Production Videographic Senior Manager Ms. Cathy Frayco also conducted a workshop for the children at this year's SineBata event. On a separate day, some of the young stars from the Sparkle GMA Artist Center also participated in the workshop.