Landing smack dab in the middle of a fictional Barangay Hiraya, the lovable alien cat, Heneral Tuna, an animated kitty general from Planet Mingming, isn't your typical galactic traveler.
Created by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), this blue furball embarks on a delicious mission beyond conquering planets – he's here to champion Filipino values!
Heneral Tuna navigates the everyday life of ordinary Filipinos.
Through engaging adventures, viewers young and old discover the importance of traits like respect for elders, bayanihan spirit, resilience, and environmental consciousness.
Imagine a heartwarming tale where helping lost kittens translates to understanding “pakikisama” (camaraderie). Or a hilarious chase after a runaway lechon revealing the beauty of family traditions.
Heneral Tuna weaves these gems into digestible, entertaining nuggets, making moral lessons as sweet as the mangoes and revolutionary as the general after whom the fictional kitty got its name.
Heneral Tuna’s initial purpose is to invade Earth.
Rather than plotting he, however, ended up getting caught in the charm of the “Earthlings” and their Filipino values.
Amidst the interaction with “annoying” humans and pansit feasts, Heneral Tuna arrived at a profound realization: Earth was meant to be cherished, not conquered. With a purr of understanding, the alien bid farewell to Barangay Hiraya, bringing back Filipino warmth to Planet Mingming.
He set out to steal planets but in the end, Filipinos stole Heneral Tuna’s heart.
And so the story goes…
Here are the Filipino values highlighted in the NCCA’s 7-episode animated series, Heneral Tuna:
1. Love for family and community
Filipino culture is centered on love for family and community, where strong ties and constant support are deeply rooted in daily life. Families and peace in communities are of utmost importance to Filipinos, who get strength and happiness from common experiences.
2. Love for country
The patriotism and pride for the Philippines are reflections of the deep-rooted love of the nation that is part of Filipino identity. Celebrations of history, culture, and the shared goals for the betterment of the country show this affection.
3. Resilience
The spirit of the Filipinos is resilience, which is the outcome of overcoming obstacles such as socioeconomic difficulties and natural calamities. Filipinos exhibit incredible resilience, flexibility, and unwavering optimism in the face of adversity.
4. Value of culture
Culture is highly valued, with practices, languages, and traditions that have been passed down through time being conserved. Filipinos celebrate festivals, dances, and arts that reflect their vibrant identity, and they take great pleasure in their unique cultural history.
5. Good governance
Good governance is an aspiration for many Filipinos, stressing fair, responsible, and effective leadership. It's a shared goal to create a society based on equality, fairness, and opportunity for all people to improve the future for generations to come.
Related story:
https://pia.gov.ph/press-releases/2024/01/09/nccas-heneral-tuna-closes-festive-year-with-outstanding-digital-art-from-young-filipinos-in-second-edition-of-fan-art-contest
Meow-ar-tistic Earthlings
The NCCA's Heneral Tuna Digital Poster Making Contest showcased the artistic talents of Filipino college and high school students. Each participant crafted an original poster, using their technique and style to convey the theme Filipino Values for the Common Good.
Heneral Tuna marveled at the "meow-some" digital artworks created by high school and college students, aiming to visualize the Filipino values portrayed in the animated series. Here are the winners:
