‘TRESE’ AND THE FUTURE OF FILIPINO CREATORS
The animated film “Trese” is raising the flag of original Filipino content to the world. The series, which premiered as Netflix’s next international animated must-watch this June, is one of the headliners in the upcoming Creative Futures digital conference happening on June 28 and 29.
Adapted from the Philippine graphic novel cocreated by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, “Trese” tells the story of Alexandra Trese, a supernatural detective who protects Manila from threats of mythical villains such as the tikbalang and kapre.
The critically acclaimed horror graphic novel started with a small cult following, but steadily grew in stature and attention, prompting its transition from indie comics to online streaming. This marks an important milestone for the local creative scene, setting the international stage for the future of Filipino creators.
Creative Futures is Create Philippines’ latest initiative and first fully digital iteration of the trade show, after being launched in 2017. The two-day online event is a celebration of Filipino creativity and a takeoff point for realizing the economic potential and business viability of the creative industry.
Scheduled on the first day of Creative Futures, the “Trese” panel features cocreators Tan and Baldisimo and will discuss how an independent comic book went from local conventions to Netflix’s next international animated series. The potential of local comics and why protecting intellectual property is something creatives should prioritize will also be tackled.
Attendees get to enjoy a watch party of the “Trese” pilot episode with a one-hour direct commentary hosted by Globe Studio’s Endslate featuring director and showrunner Jay Oliva and Trese’s cocreators. The segment will be moderated by Endslate’s Quark Henares, Ramon de Veyra and Mel Lozano.
“Our main objective is to gather the different sectors of the creative industries and spark conversations on how we can move forward with conducting the business of creativity,” said Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan.
“Filipino creatives know how to convey heart as evidenced in ‘Trese’s’ storyline, and I believe that makes our content really stand out and cut across.”