Urduja (film)
Encyclopedia
Urduja is a 2008 animated film adaptation of the legend of the warrior princess Urduja
of Pangasinan
. It is the first of two locally produced (in the Philippines) animated films set for release in 2008. The other, Dayo
, is set for a December 2008 release, in time for the Metro Manila Film Festival
. Urduja
is created by an all-Filipino group of animators and made using the traditional (hand-drawn) animation process. It also features an all-Filipino cast of voice actors. Urduja was released on June 18, 2008.
As the only daughter of Lakanpati, chieftain of the Tawilisi tribe of Northern Luzon, Urduja grew up as a warrior with the ability and willingness to defend her people from their rival tribe, the Badjaos. Lakanpati's age and failing health gave rise to the urgency of finding a man for the princess to marry and who will inevitably lead the tribe as the new chieftain.
The man Lakanpati considers most eligible to become Urduja's husband is Simakwel, a Tawilisi warrior but whom the princess dislikes. Oblivious of Simakwel's ambitious and scheming ways, Lakanpati tries his best to convince Urduja to marry him. However, Urduja meets Limhang, a Chinese pirate, who lands on the Tawilisi shore after he flees from the wrath of the ruthlessly greedy Wang. Urduja immediately falls in love with the stranger Limhang, which worries Lakanpati and drives Simakwel into madness. Afraid of losing both the crown and Urduja, Simakwel does everything to drive Limhang away from his dream. Eventually, Limhang's good deeds and genuine kindness win the respect and trust of the Taliwisi tribe.
Wang soon finds Limhang, who surrenders voluntarily to Wang in assurance that he will not attack Tawilisi. In the end, Wang still orders his men to attack the tribe. Urduja and her people bravely defend the tribe from the forces of Wang. Limhang escapes from his captors and with the aid of the Batyaws sends the invaders fleeing.
Urduja
Urduja is a legendary warrior princess who is recognized as a heroine in Pangasinan, Philippines. The name Urduja appears to be Sanskrit in origin, and a variation of the name "Udaya", meaning "arise" or "rising sun", or the name "Urja", meaning "breath"...
of Pangasinan
Pangasinan
Pangasinan is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The provincial capital is Lingayen. Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, with the total land area being 5,368.82 square kilometers . According to the latest census,...
. It is the first of two locally produced (in the Philippines) animated films set for release in 2008. The other, Dayo
Dayo
Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia is the Philippines’ first all-digital full-length animated feature film by Cutting Edge Productions, advertised as "tradigital", a mix of traditional animation with 3D animation. It reinvents ghastly images of Philippine mythical creatures into heartwarming characters...
, is set for a December 2008 release, in time for the Metro Manila Film Festival
Metro Manila Film Festival
upright|thumb|320px|Metro Manila Film Festival Official LogoThe Metro Manila Film Festival-Philippines is the annual film festival held in Manila...
. Urduja
Urduja
Urduja is a legendary warrior princess who is recognized as a heroine in Pangasinan, Philippines. The name Urduja appears to be Sanskrit in origin, and a variation of the name "Udaya", meaning "arise" or "rising sun", or the name "Urja", meaning "breath"...
is created by an all-Filipino group of animators and made using the traditional (hand-drawn) animation process. It also features an all-Filipino cast of voice actors. Urduja was released on June 18, 2008.
Plot
Set in the 13th century, the film is a fictionalized tale of Princess Urduja, legendary warrior princess of Pangasinan.As the only daughter of Lakanpati, chieftain of the Tawilisi tribe of Northern Luzon, Urduja grew up as a warrior with the ability and willingness to defend her people from their rival tribe, the Badjaos. Lakanpati's age and failing health gave rise to the urgency of finding a man for the princess to marry and who will inevitably lead the tribe as the new chieftain.
The man Lakanpati considers most eligible to become Urduja's husband is Simakwel, a Tawilisi warrior but whom the princess dislikes. Oblivious of Simakwel's ambitious and scheming ways, Lakanpati tries his best to convince Urduja to marry him. However, Urduja meets Limhang, a Chinese pirate, who lands on the Tawilisi shore after he flees from the wrath of the ruthlessly greedy Wang. Urduja immediately falls in love with the stranger Limhang, which worries Lakanpati and drives Simakwel into madness. Afraid of losing both the crown and Urduja, Simakwel does everything to drive Limhang away from his dream. Eventually, Limhang's good deeds and genuine kindness win the respect and trust of the Taliwisi tribe.
Wang soon finds Limhang, who surrenders voluntarily to Wang in assurance that he will not attack Tawilisi. In the end, Wang still orders his men to attack the tribe. Urduja and her people bravely defend the tribe from the forces of Wang. Limhang escapes from his captors and with the aid of the Batyaws sends the invaders fleeing.
Cast
- Regine VelasquezRegine VelasquezRegina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez , better known as Asia's Songbird, Regine Velasquez, is a Filipino singer, actress, record producer and TV host...
as Princess UrdujaUrdujaUrduja is a legendary warrior princess who is recognized as a heroine in Pangasinan, Philippines. The name Urduja appears to be Sanskrit in origin, and a variation of the name "Udaya", meaning "arise" or "rising sun", or the name "Urja", meaning "breath"...
, the titular character and Lakampati's daughter. Singer Regine Velasquez was handpicked by Antonio Tuviera to play the title role. - Cesar MontanoCésar MontanoCesar Manhilot, known by his screen name Cesar Montano, is a multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director.He started in show business as a stuntman. He played roles in numerous B movies...
as Limhang, the ChineseChinese peopleThe term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
pirate who landed on the Tawalisi shore and Princess Urduja's love interest. - Eddie GarciaEddie GarcíaEddie Garcia popularly known as Manoy is a Filipino film actor and film director.- Biography :...
as Lakanpati, Chief of the Tawalisi tribe and Princess Urduja's father. - Jay ManaloJay ManaloJose Martin Manalo, better known by his stage name Jay Manalo , is a Filipino actor of Filipino-Vietnamese descent. Although born in Saigon, Vietnam, he was raised in Tondo, Manila, Philippines.- Movies :...
as Simakwel, Princess Urduja's fiance. - Johnny DelgadoJohnny DelgadoJohnny Delgado , born Juan Marasigan Feleo, was an award-winning Filipino television and movie actor and writer....
as Wang, the main antagonist and Limhang's nemesis. - Ruby RodriguezRuby RodriguezMaria Ruby Rodriguez Aquino is a Filipino artist and one of the hosts of the Philippines' longest-running television shows, Eat Bulaga!.-Career:Ruby Rodriguez was originally a teacher at the O.B. Montessori Center in Greenhills, San Juan...
as Mayumi, Princess Urduja's best friend. - Epi QuizonEpi QuizonJeffrey "Epi" Quizon is a Filipino actor and the son of actor Dolphy.-Early life:Born Jeffrey Smith-Quizon on January 23, 1973. He is the youngest of 4 siblings by 4th marriage Pamela Ponti a.k.a. Baby Smith.He is of Chinese and American descent....
as Daisuke, Limhang's JapaneseJapanese peopleThe are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
friend and sidekick. - Michael V.Michael V.Michael V. , also known as "Bitoy" or "Toybits", is a Filipino comedian, actor, director, composer, singer, rapper, voice artist and parodist, who appears in the GMA Network show Bubble Gang, and in his own TV show Bitoy's Funniest Videos...
as Kukut, Limhang's pet ratRatRats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, the most important of which to humans are the black rat, Rattus rattus, and the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus...
. - Allan K.Allan K.Allan K. is a singer, comedian, actor and TV host. He is one of the co-hosts of the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga.-Career:...
as Tarsir, Princess Urduja's pet tarsierTarsierTarsiers are haplorrhine primates of the genus Tarsius, a genus in the family Tarsiidae, which is itself the lone extant family within the infraorder Tarsiiformes...
. - Bj ForbesBj ForbesBernard Joseph Forbes in Morong, Rizal, Philippines) also known as BJ "Tolits" Forbes, is a Filipino child actor. He first appeared on TV as a contestant in That’s My Boy; however, he didn't win.-Career:...
as Botyok, The boy from Tawilisi tribe.