Loyal Kapamilya fan channels Batang '90s anime into protest art

Cedie, Sarah, Tom Sawyer, and more in activist mode
Jul 14, 2020
PHOTO: Facebook/Anjo Agustia

WHEN a House of Representatives committee rejected ABS-CBN's franchise renewal last week, many citizens raised the alarm, saying that the denial was a thinly disguised tactic to muzzle the press.

Since then, a few artists also used their talents and platforms to create protest art and graphics to keep the fire burning.

One of the most noticeable artworks circulating online is a hand-drawn portrait of good ol’ cartoons aired on the network during the 90’s — all in full activist mode.

Characters from Dog of Flanders, Remy Nobody’s Girl, Cinderella, Little Women 2, Cedie and Sarah, Julio at Julia, Kambal ng Tadhana, Heidi, Tom Sawyer, Judy Abbott, and Mary at ang Lihim na Hardin held banners up high supporting the network.

The canny combination of nostalgia and a burning social issue propelled the image to virality.

It was the artist’s desperate appeal for everyone else to recognize the real problem.

“It really hits home seeing the network go through tough times to the extent of it being denied a well-deserved franchise renewal. I thought of using art as a medium to get my message across, to give tribute to my favorite channel,” artist Anjo Angustia told SPIN LIFE.

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His portrait had a simple concept that reminded the larger Pinoy population of their childhood, watching cartoons on Channel 2.

“I am thankful that I came from a time when life was so simple that these characters were once our heroes. They instilled values to kids and shaped them in their formative years,” he continued.

In this way, he was hopeful his art could instigate sympathy from a wider audience, finding the most relatable way to do so.

Angustia currently works as an engineer, and he views the network as a remembrance to his early days as child, back when things were way simpler.

“I wouId like to touch on common ground. I would like this to be a reminder of their amazing childhood and ABSCBN was there for them, through the years,” he said. “Would you abandon the one that raised you? I never would.”

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PHOTO: Facebook/Anjo Agustia
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