‘Inside Out’ co-director Ronnie del Carmen: Pixar’s ‘Pix-noys’ give back to PHL

In case you missed it, the co-director of Disney-Pixar’s latest film “Inside Out” is a Filipino. Ronnie del Carmen grew up in Cavite and graduated from the University of the Santo Tomas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree major in Advertising.

He went to the US in 1989 and joined Pixar in 2000. But Del Carmen is not the lone Filipino inside the headquarters of this award-winning animation company.

Although he did not give the exact number of Filipinos working at Pixar Animation Studios in California, del Carmen said that there is a group called “Pix-noys” who love eating together. But more importantly, they host charity events for causes such as typhoon relief in the Philippines.

“It’s a very active and friendly group. We’re always smiling,” he said during a press conference in Makati on Friday.

Pinoy food

When asked if there’s going to be a future Pixar film about the Philippines, Del Carmen joked that if ever that would happen, it would be about food.

“I have to look forward to Pete’s next movie that is about bibingka and calamay. Animated though, it might be really tasty,” he teased.  

Kidding aside, the Filipino animator is keen to share stories from his homeland.

“There are lots of stories here in the Philippines. I have been telling people about growing up… That’d be fantastic to do,” Del Carmen said.

To this, "Inside Out" director Pete Docter shared that his co-director has already worked on a story about the Philippines.

“Ronnie has already boarded a beautiful piece about growing up. I’ve never been to your hometown but it really captures this amazing feeling of what it’s like. A very personal story,” he said.

When asked about what it’s like coming home, Del Carmen said that coming home has been

While reminiscing on his days spent watching movies in theaters in the Philippines, Del Carmen said that coming home to promote "Inside Out, "his first film as a co-director, has been amazing.

“I am not just coming home, there’s a movie I have made that’s opening here. It’s kind of a surreal experience,” he said.

"Inside Out" will open in Philippine cinemas on August 19. — BM, GMA News