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RPG Metanoia
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| RPG Metanoia | |
|---|---|
MMFF release poster | |
| Directed by | Luis C. Suárez |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by | Luis C. Suárez |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Edited by |
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| Music by |
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Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Star Cinema |
Release date |
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Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Languages | Filipino English |
| Budget | ₱100 million |
| Box office | ₱33 million |
RPG Metanoia is a 2010 Filipino animated epic comedy-drama film directed by Luis C. Suárez in his directorial debut, from a story solely written and screenplay co-written with Jade Castro and Tey Clamor. Produced by Ambient Media, Thaumatrope Animation and Star Cinema, RPG Metanoia is the first feature-length Philippine animated film presented entirely in 3D CGI (as of 2025, the only film to do so); the stereoscopy of the film for the 3D release was made by RoadRunner.[1] With a budget of ₱100 million, it became the most expensive Philippine animated film to date.[2]
Blending elements of science fantasy and action-adventure genres, traditional culture, and online role-playing video games, along with certain themes of friendship and resentment. The film follows Nico (voiced by Zaijan Jaranilla in his film acting debut), an introverted boy who is engrossed with a fictional MMORPG game under the name "Metanoia", using his playable character Zero, along with his friends. Eventually, a mysterious player (voiced by Vhong Navarro) is infected by a special item Nico found, which later the infection began to spread the entire game by manipulating not only the players but the real people as well. Nico and his gang then aim to stop the virus from grave danger in Metanoia at all costs. The film features an ensemble cast including Eugene Domingo, Aga Muhlach, Mika dela Cruz, Jairus Aquino, Basty Alcances, and Ketchup Eusebio.
RPG Metanoia was premiered in Philippine cinemas on December 25, 2010, as an official entry at the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival, which received twelve nominations (the most of any animated films at the festival) and won four awards including the title for 3rd Best Picture, Best Sound Recording and Best Original Theme Song, as well as the Quezon City's special citation for animation in Most Gender-Sensitive Film.[3] Despite its critical success in the film festival's awarding night, the film was a box-office disappointment with a total of ₱33 million against its production cost, leaving the animation shift into more independent, adult-oriented style to avoid competition with blockbuster films.
RPG Metanoia will be streaming through user-generated content website YouTube on December 21, 2025.
Plot
[edit]An introverted boy named Nico plays Metanoia at midnight, accesses as a mysterious boy under his playable character Zero goes on an underground hidden stage where the special item "Helm of Destiny" is located, soon to be discovered was inside of a three-headed metal boss. One day, Nico and his gang (Bryan, Mark, Bobby, Daniel, and a new friend May) are tormented by Andrew and David to challenge for Metanoia's worldwide tournament in exchange of playing Metanoia again if his gang win the tournament; otherwise, they will get banned from entering an Internet cafe "Bomb Shelter". At night, his mother promises him to not play Metanoia one day and instead he will join her for a game of badminton at the park during his last summer week.
The next morning, Nico forgets his promise and goes on to the Bomb Shelter for his sake. In the midst of the tournament, his gang (Mang Ernie, Ahdonis, Sumpak and K'Mao) infiltrated the stages and Nico took the blue orb to access the winning point but are defeated by a mysterious player under his playable character Sargo, and fell off a special item to the ground. Saddened by the loss, Nico is reluctant to go with his gang and plays Metanoia one more instead to get a slime species named Jiglie, but it is caught by a new player, Cassandra, May's playable character. Nico feels disappointed over the loss of worldwide tournament and ban of Bomb Shelter led to his friends' resentment as May decided to play outside games with their gang rather than Metanoia to regain their friendship. As the gang keep up playing traditional games over a few hours, his mother felt relieved over his enthusiasm and Nico fulfills her promise to join badminton at the park.
Meanwhile, Sargo took the special item found on the final stage of the tournament Nico fell, and wears it at the top of the tower, becoming more belligerent and manipulative. Sargo's manipulation process infiltrates various channels and infects every stronger players in Metanoia and become an army, leaving other players offline.
In afternoon, Nico felts frustrated over the gang's mockery and teasing as May's potential boyfriend, causes his tension by ranting against the gang as well as his envious over May led to her resentment, breaking up their friendship. Nico then betrays Bryan for his decision to let the Bomb Shelter into playing Metanoia with Andrew and David despite his ban, leaving Bryan frustrated. As Sargo and his army's infiltration continues, Bryan follows his gang to the Bomb Shelter and found out Andrew and David have been infected by Sargo after Bryan safely goes offline while in infiltration. After realizing a devastating news, Nico plays Metanoia one last time and assembles the gang to fight off the infected players. Unbeknownst to Nico, his gang find out a special item Nico took it earlier was actually a Trojan Horse, its subliminal signals through the game's graphic interface which causes the entire game to infect not only players or computer system itself but in real people's brain; it was revealed that a European program developed a subliminal reality system as an experiment to make volunteers unconscious to keep out from going insane and taps into dreams, but was backfired as soon as volunteers were mentally lobotomized by the system as a result, the program re-purposed and sold the system as a game engine, branded the name Metanoia. Upon realizing the other players are in grave danger, Nico announces everyone in Metanoia through a world message to assemble the gang as a whole, aiming to destroy the virus to reverse its consciousness.
While Nico reconciles Bryan and May over his misunderstanding, the gang goes on the chapel to fight off the army as the other international players, including Nico's father, arrived and assemble. As the fight intensifies, Nico is fatally blasted by an infected giant, saving May's life. In the afterlife, Zero reveals to Nico that Sargo's real player was Cel, an owner of Bomb Shelter. Zero wants to join with the gang to finish the army off and Nico becomes a hero, but Nico refused to do help with him and instead wanting to do a normal life with his mother and gang, causing Zero forcibly fights against him but is backfired and disappeared by Nico's beliefs.
Back to the real world, Nico awakens and finds out his mother is being vegetated by his computer. He marches through the Bomb Shelter with his rusty bike as the gang and the army continue to intensify, and reveals to the gang that Cel is still inside, the only way to defeat him by forcing him out of the game. The gangs are running out of stamina and being manipulated by Sargo as the assemble outside continue to fight, leaving May and Jiglie intact in the church. Nico realizes Jiglie is the key to melt down any metal, also believes the special item that contains metal too, and calls May to throw Jiglie into Sargo's head, restoring everyone's consciousness and declares victory.
Back to his home, his mother is still vegetated; the artificial intelligence itself revealed is a Metanoia, who caused to infect Nico's mother as revenge. Metanoia is soon to proceed with their own ultimate directive to his mother and she will be permanently frozen in a catatonic state if he does push the reset button. He forces Metanoia by himself instead, but the computer crashes, ends its existence.
The gang and Cel are invited to May's birthday, and the news are spreading the world over the assembles' heroism at the event of Metanoia crisis. At the first day of school, May gives Nico a newly-designed yo-yo that resembles from the game.
Voice cast
[edit]| VOICE CAST | USER | AVATAR | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vhong Navarro | Cel | Sargo | A ruthless owner of Internet cafe Bomb Shelter.
A mysterious spear wielder. |
| Eugene Domingo | Mom | N/a | Nico's mother who currently lives in middle-class neighborhood with her son, Nico, but cannot relate to her son's passion for video games. |
| N/a | Metanoia | An infected artificial intellingence who manipulates reality behind its monitors, taunts Nico by using his mother as a hostage. | |
| Aga Muhlach | Dad | Robotic Armor | Nico's OFW father who currently lives in Dubai for high-financial jobs and also often plays Metanoia, made his influence of gaming to Nico.
An armored robot suit user. |
| Zaijan Jaranilla | Nico | Zero | A shy, reserved boy who finds confidence through Metanoia with his gang.
A yo-yo whip wielder. |
| Mika dela Cruz | May | Cassandra | A tomboyish-like talented girl who enjoys basketball and also plays Metanoia.
A beast tamer. |
| Jairus Aquino | Bryan | Mang Ernie | Nico's best friend and one of the members of Nico's gang.
A Katipunan-style umbrella gun wielder. |
| Basty Alcances | Mark | Ahdonis | A chickboy yet sassy member of Nico's gang.
A dual Arnis wielder. |
| Aaron Junatas | Bobby | Sumpak | An overweight yet stuttering but genius-level member of Nico's gang.
A bazooka sharpshooter. |
| Jonas Calapatan | Daniel | K'Mao | A sudoku-obsessed member of Nico's gang.
A martial art fighter. |
| Ketchup Eusebio | Andrew | Bossing | A bully and rival of Nico's gang who blackmailing them into restriction from enter Bomb Shelter, although only Bryan secretly playing Metanoia with Andrew and David before Sargo's infiltration.
A gunslinger. |
| Igi Boy Flores | David | Sidekick | Andrew's sidekick who also plays Metanoia under his playable character of the same name. |
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]RPG Metanoia took five years to make. Luis Suárez stated that the idea for the film came from his time with his nephew during summer (March–May). He asked his nephew what he wanted to do and he said he wanted to play online RPG games, so they went to a café and Luis spent the whole day with his nephew inside it. He then wanted to make a story for him for his nephew to see what he is missing in life.[4] Originally titled RPG, he added with the term Metanoia, means "change or evolution", and in gaming terms, "leveling up!".[5]
Suárez detailed the interview about the main characters, "All the lead characters were based on people I know. Nico was inspired by my real nephew, who at one point in his life was in pretty much the same situation as the character in the movie. I used my best friends from grade school as the template for Nico’s friends. Though some of their looks, characteristics and attitudes were adjusted for better storytelling, the group dynamic remained intact. More often than not, the script was driven by what the real person would probably say or do when faced with the same situation. May was mostly inspired by my girlfriend Jenny who used to make her own jewelry and loves the color purple, which is evident in her avatar’s accessories. She also pushes me to do my best in the things I do just like May does for Nico in the movie."[5]
Pre-production
[edit]Thaumatrope Animation began work in 2006 and Ambient Media serve as a production company for the film, features a mix of professional and amateur staff members from storyboard and initial rendering to the dubbing process.[6] According to Robert Charles Chien of Ambient Media, they have around 26 animators who worked on.[7] The design of local Metanoia server was inspired by Spanish colonization in the Philippines, particularly the walled city of Intramuros, along with the floating islands, were inspired by side-scrolling video games.[5]
In August 2009, Ambient Media officially partnered with ABS-CBN via Star Cinema.[8]
Casting
[edit]When Star Cinema came on board, they provided guest child actors from the children show Goin' Bulilit and reality competition Star Circle Quest including Basty Alcances, Jairus Aquino, Mika dela Cruz, and Zaijan Jaranilla. Film regulars from Star Cinema including Vhong Navarro as the main antagonist; Eugene Domingo was Suárez's only choice for her role as Nico’s mother; Aga Muhlach eventually get into his part as Nico’s father in the film.[5]
Music
[edit]The original film score was composed by Ria Osorio and Gerard Salonga, with the Filharmonika Orchestra performing their composition.[9]
Album
[edit]| RPG Metanoia: The Album | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Various Artists | |
| Released | October 19, 2010 |
| Genre | Pinoy pop |
| Length | 40:18 |
| Label | Star Music |
| Producer | ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. |

RPG Metanoia: The Album is the official compilation soundtrack album of the film published by Star Music. The theme song of the film "Kaya Mo" was sung by Protein Shake featuring Ney of the band 6Cyclemind and Kean of Callalily; the song is the album's single. An accompanying music video was made for the single and will be launched on August 19.[9]
All lyrics are written by Apo Hiking Society, Jett Pangan and other well-known Filipino musicians.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Metanoia" | Novus Lana | 3:10 |
| 2. | "Kaya Mo! (transl. "You Can Do It!")" | Kean Cipriano, Ney Dimaculangan and Tutti Caringal | 3:59 |
| 3. | "Bawat Bata (transl. "Every Child")" | Apo Hiking Society | 3:15 |
| 4. | "Frantic Static" | Undercover Grasshopper | 3:34 |
| 5. | "Aminin Mo (transl. "Admit It")" | Julianne Tarroja | 3:38 |
| 6. | "Bahaghari (transl. "Rainbow")" | Rommel Tuico | 5:25 |
| 7. | "Game Na (transl. "You Game")" | Jeanette Ricasio | 2:56 |
| 8. | "A Mental Picture of You" | Cattski | 4:07 |
| 9. | "Ako ang Bayani (transl. "I Am a Hero")" | Jett Pangan | 5:47 |
| 10. | "The Spaces in Between" | Ria Osorio | 4:26 |
| Total length: | 40:18 | ||
Release
[edit]
In 2008, a teaser trailer for the movie (then titled "theRPGmovie") was shown at Level Up's Ragnarok Online event at the World Trade Center.
In June 2010, it was announced to be an official entry for the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival. In August 2010, RPG Metanoia's official website was launched. The Cinema Evaluation Board gave the movie a Grade A. MTRCB gave the film a rated G (General Patronage).[8]
The film was released on DVD on April 26, 2013, by Star Home Video.
| External videos | |
|---|---|
The entire film was made available for streaming online through user-generated content website YouTube on December 21, 2025, although, like most Philippine films, drew copyright songs were replaced to the sound library.
Reception
[edit]Box office
[edit]Following the MMFF's premiere, RPG Metanoia earn a total of ₱33 million for four-week release but it was a box-office disappointment over its production cost of ₱100 million, like the previous three animated features.[10][11]
Critical reception
[edit]Julius Edward B. Penascosa of The Philippine Star gave RPG Metanoia a positive review, praising the film for its originality, characters and plot, also noting its depiction of Philippine culture and for not relying on star power as seen with mainstream MMFF entries; the film's voice acting however was criticized, likening the actors' performances to a typical Tagalog dub of an anime series.[12]
Philbert Ortiz Dy of ClickTheCity.com declared the film worthy of comparison to animated features released by Pixar, the studio behind animated films such as Toy Story 3, Up, WALL-E, and Cars, stating: "Regular readers are probably aware of how highly I regard Pixar and their work, and so it should taken as high praise when I say that I would proudly hold RPG Metanoia up against even the best of Pixar. The film is simply extraordinary."[13]
Accolades
[edit]RPG Metanoia garnered twelve nominations at the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival including Best Picture (the first animated film to do so), the most of any animated films at the festival, receiving four (including a runner-up): Third Best Picture, Best Sound Engineering, Best Original Theme Song and Most Gender-Sensitive Film; its four awards for an animated film jointly ties with Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia.[3] It also won Best Sound at the 29th Luna Awards[14] and nominated six categories at the 8th Golden Screen Awards including Best Motion Picture (Drama), winning Best Visual Effects.[15]
Internationally, RPG Metanoia was nominated for Best Animated Film at the 2011 Asia Pacific Screen Awards, the first Philippine animated film to do so.[16]
| Award | Date | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Manila Film Festival | December 26, 2010 | Best Picture | RPG Metanoia | Third | [3] |
| Best Director | Luis C. Suárez | Nominated | |||
| Best Screenplay | Jade Castro, Tey Clamor and Luis C. Suárez | Nominated | |||
| Best Original Story | Luis C. Suárez | Nominated | |||
| Best Editing | Joey Conejos and Joana Vasquez | Nominated | |||
| Best Musical Score | Ria Osorio and Gerard Salonga | Nominated | |||
| Best Original Theme Song | "Kaya Mo" - performed by Protein Shake ft. Ney and Kean Cipriano | Won | |||
| Best Production Design | Thaumatrope Animation | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound Engineering | Ronald De Asis, Lynell De Mesa, Sandy Aguinaldo and Connie M. Valdriz | Won[a] | |||
| Best Visual Effects | Thaumatrope Animation | Nominated | |||
| Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Awards | RPG Metanoia | Nominated | |||
| Most Gender-Sensitive Film[b] | Won[c] | ||||
| Golden Screen Awards | April 2, 2011 | Best Motion Picture (Drama) | RPG Metanoia | Nominated | [15] |
| Best Director | Luis C. Suárez | Nominated | |||
| Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||||
| Best Musical Score | Ria Osorio and Gerard Salonga | Nominated | |||
| Best Visual Effects | Thaumatrope Animation | Won | |||
| Best Original Song | "Kaya Mo" - performed by Protein Shake ft. Ney and Kean Cipriano | Nominated | |||
| Luna Award | July 10, 2011 | Best Sound | Ronald De Asis, Lynell De Mesa, Sandy Aguinaldo and Connie M. Valdriz | Won | [14] |
| Asia Pacific Screen Awards | Nov 24, 2011 | Best Animated Film | Luis C. Suárez | Nominated | [16][17] |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Tied with Super Inday and the Golden Bibe.
- ^ as "special citation for animation".
- ^ Tied with Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na 'To!), another Star Cinema film.
References
[edit]- ^ "Zaijan Jaranilla star in RPG Metanoia". PEP.ph. August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ^ Espinosa, Aries B. (March 3, 2013). "PH animation draws billions". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ a b c P, Terry (December 28, 2010). "36th Metro Manila Film Festival Winners; Ai Ai, Dolphy Sweeps Major Awards". VIMooZ. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
- ^ Flores, Karen (November 29, 2010). "First Pinoy 3-D animated film to premiere on Christmas". ABS-CBNnews.com. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "On the Spot: RPG: Metanoia Director-Writer Louie Suarez". SPOT.PH. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
- ^ Rochelle (January 11, 2011). "The Ghost in the Machine: A Review of RPG Metanoia". JPOP Manila. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
- ^ "Zaijan Jaranilla star in RPG Metanoia". PEP.ph. August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ^ a b "1st Pinoy 3D film half a decade in the making". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 19, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
- ^ a b Video on YouTube
- ^ "Metro Manila Film Festival:2000". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ^ Cabrera Asis, Love (February 16, 2017). "The Perforation in Philippine Animation Industry: Original Content Full Length Animated Films" (PDF). De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde.
- ^ Pamintuan, Maria Jorica B. (January 1, 2011). "The start of great Pinoy animation? » News » Entertainment". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012 – via archive.today.
- ^ "Disney's 'A Wrinkle in Time' Opens in Cinemas Today! - ClickTheCity". March 14, 2018. Archived from the original on January 6, 2011.
- ^ a b "FAP Honors 29th Luna Awards Winners". Film Academy of the Philippines. July 12, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ a b "Sigwa and Emir named Best Pictures at the 8th Golden Screen Awards". PEP.ph. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
- ^ a b "'RPG Metanoia' nominated in Asia Pacific Screen Awards". ABS-CBNnews.com. December 10, 2011. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
- ^ "Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2011". Screen. November 28, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- RPG Metanoia at IMDb
- CG Animation News in the Philippines: 'RPG Metanoia' at AnimationInsider.net
RPG Metanoia
View on GrokipediaPlot
Synopsis
RPG Metanoia centers on Nico, an 11-year-old introverted boy from a small town who faces daily challenges including household chores, neighborhood bullies, and family expectations in his real life. To escape these pressures, Nico immerses himself in the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) Metanoia, where he adopts the persona of a heroic character named Zero, skilled in wielding a yoyo as a weapon. In the game's vibrant virtual world, inspired by Filipino culture with elements like robotic kalesas and architecture reminiscent of Vigan, players choose from various character classes such as warriors, mages, and archers, embarking on quests to battle monsters and level up their abilities.[8][9][2] Nico's adventures in Metanoia initially involve teaming up with his online friends for exciting exploits, forming bonds that contrast with his limited social interactions offline. The game's community thrives on cooperative play, where players like Nico's group tackle dungeons and tournaments, fostering a sense of camaraderie and achievement. However, this escapist routine is disrupted when the group participates in a local tournament at an internet café, leading to their temporary exile after a loss, and introducing Nico to new real-world influences that begin to bridge his divided lives.[8][9][10] The inciting incident occurs when a malevolent computer virus infiltrates the Metanoia network, originating from a special in-game item or event, rapidly spreading to corrupt the virtual realm and spilling over into the real world by infecting players' systems and even influencing human behavior, turning gamers into zombie-like states obsessed with the game. This catastrophe blurs the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds, endangering global internet infrastructure and the minds of millions of players. Nico and his friends, now thrust into a high-stakes scenario, must rally as a team to undertake a perilous quest within the infected game environment, battling corrupted entities and navigating treacherous landscapes to locate and neutralize the virus's source.[8][9][10] As the central conflict unfolds, Nico's journey emphasizes personal growth, requiring him to draw on inner courage and apply lessons from both his virtual triumphs and emerging real-life connections to lead the effort against the virus. The team's battles test their skills, friendship, and resilience, culminating in a climactic confrontation that determines the fate of Metanoia and its players. Ultimately, the resolution sees Nico returning to reality with newfound confidence, having reconciled his dual worlds without revealing specific outcomes. The narrative briefly touches on themes of gaming addiction and the value of friendship, highlighting how virtual experiences can positively influence real-life development.[8][9][2]Themes
RPG Metanoia explores gaming as a form of escapism for bullied and isolated youth, particularly within the context of Filipino family structures affected by overseas labor migration. The protagonist Nico, raised in a single-parent household due to his father's work abroad in Dubai, turns to the virtual world of the MMORPG Metanoia to escape neighborhood bullies, peer pressure, and daily chores.[11][8] This reflects broader Filipino experiences, where approximately 59% of overseas Filipino workers were deployed to the Middle East in 2009, leaving many children in transnational households reliant on technology for connection.[11] Central motifs revolve around heroism in virtual versus real life, illustrating a transition from cowardice to bravery. In the game, Nico excels as a powerful avatar, but in reality, he is timid and withdrawn; the narrative underscores that true heroism involves acting courageously for loved ones in the physical world, regardless of virtual prowess.[11] This arc emphasizes balancing digital achievements with real-life responsibilities, promoting values like teamwork and trust over individual glory.[12] The film offers social commentary on online friendships, gaming addiction, and the integration of traditional Filipino elements with modern technology. Nico forms meaningful virtual bonds that influence his real-world relationships, highlighting how digital platforms can foster community amid isolation, while also warning against excessive immersion that neglects family time.[11] It blends MMORPG mechanics with cultural motifs, such as incorporating Philippine street games like patintero and tumbang preso into the virtual realm, alongside attire like the barong tagalog, to celebrate heritage in a tech-driven narrative.[12][11] Symbolism in the story includes the Metanoia virus, which originates in the game and threatens the real world, representing how virtual disruptions can spill over into everyday life and endanger loved ones.[11] This motif reinforces the film's message on the perils of addiction and the need for real-world intervention to resolve digital crises.[12]Cast
Voice actors
The voice cast for RPG Metanoia consists entirely of Filipino performers, with all dubbing recorded in Tagalog to reflect the film's cultural context, incorporating English terminology for in-game elements like character classes and commands.[13][14] Leading the ensemble is child actor Zaijan Jaranilla, who voices the protagonist Nico (and his avatar Zero) at age 9 during production; Jaranilla brought prior experience from his television debut in 2008 series such as Likas ng Magulang, marking an early highlight in his career as a young performer known for emotional depth in family-oriented roles.[15][16] Vhong Navarro provides the voice for the antagonist Cel (and his avatar Sargo), leveraging his established comedic background from long-running variety shows like It's Showtime to infuse the character with sharp, humorous menace.[17][12] The supporting cast features fellow child actors including Mika Dela Cruz as May (and her avatar Cassandra), Jairus Aquino as Bryan (and Mang Ernie), Aaron Junatas as Bobby (and Sumpak), Basty Alcances as Mark (and Ahdonis), Jonas Calapatan as Daniel (and K'Mao), Ketchup Eusebio as Andrew (and Bossing), and Igi Boy Flores as David (and Sidekick), all ABS-CBN talents whose youthful energy contributed to the film's relatable ensemble dynamics.[14][17] Notable celebrity inclusions, such as Aga Muhlach as Nico's father and Eugene Domingo as his mother, drew significant appeal for Filipino audiences by blending star power with heartfelt parental portrayals, helping the film resonate as a family viewing experience.[17]Characters
Nico serves as the central protagonist of RPG Metanoia, portrayed as an 11-year-old boy who is shy, frail, and withdrawn in real life, often facing bullying and low self-esteem that drives him to seek refuge in the MMORPG Metanoia.[9][11] In the game, he embodies his avatar Zero, a brave and heroic figure whose design incorporates elements of classic RPG classes, such as a swashbuckling vagabond warrior equipped with an enchanted yoyo as his primary weapon.[13] This duality underscores Nico's growth arc, transforming from an individualistic gamer fearful of the real world into a team-oriented hero who balances virtual adventures with personal development.[11] Nico's primary allies form a diverse party in Metanoia, each with avatars reflecting Filipino cultural influences and RPG archetypes that contribute to group dynamics centered on camaraderie and mutual growth. Mang Ernie, the avatar of Nico's real-life best friend Bryan, acts as the de facto leader and spiritist/chi master, characterized by confidence, toughness, and a protective nature; his design features traditional attire like a barong tagalog, symbolizing wisdom and guidance within the team.[13][11] Cassandra, May's avatar, is a tomboyish beast tamer who favors physical activities like basketball in reality; her modern terno-inspired design highlights agility and support, providing comic relief through her spirited interactions while aiding the group's exploration and battles.[11][13] Other companions include K'mao, a renegade chi-master offering mystical prowess; Sumpak, an apprentice weapon-smith focused on craftsmanship; and Ahdonis, a folk hero archetype emphasizing bravery—together, they navigate interpersonal tensions from Nico's initial self-centeredness, fostering arcs of reconciliation and shared heroism that bridge their virtual and real-world bonds.[13] The antagonists comprise rival players and virus-infected entities within Metanoia, representing symbolic threats to both digital harmony and personal integrity. Sargo, the avatar of the antagonistic Cel, emerges as a primary foe, embodying malice and rivalry that escalates conflicts through cunning and power; his design evokes a dark warrior corrupted by ambition, mirroring real-world bullying dynamics.[13][11] Virus-infected creatures serve as corrupted game elements, symbolizing invasive forces that blur boundaries between escapism and reality, challenging the protagonists' unity without specific personalities but amplifying the stakes of their quests.[13] Supporting figures ground the narrative in real-life contrasts, particularly Nico's mother, a nurturing yet strict parent who encourages his engagement beyond the screen, highlighting the tension between virtual bravery and familial responsibilities.[11] Nico's real-world friends, including the barkada counterparts to his allies like Bryan and May, provide everyday support and subtle growth influences, reinforcing themes of community while contrasting the high-stakes fantasy of their avatars.[11]Production
Development
The development of RPG Metanoia originated in 2006, when director Luis C. Suárez conceived the project at Thaumatrope Animation in partnership with Ambient Media, drawing inspiration from the burgeoning Philippine gaming culture and personal experiences with his nephew's immersion in online role-playing games.[18][19] Suárez penned the original story, emphasizing local themes such as family bonds and Filipino resilience within a virtual MMORPG world modeled after elements like Intramuros, with the scripting process involving multiple revisions over a five-year timeline to refine the narrative while preserving its core vision.[19] In 2009, Ambient Media formalized a key collaboration with ABS-CBN's Star Cinema for funding and distribution, enabling the project to proceed as an official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival and allocating a budget of ₱100 million—the largest for a Philippine animated film at the time.[20][1][21] This partnership was crucial amid significant challenges in securing investment for what would be the Philippines' first full-length 3D animated feature, as the industry grappled with limited capital, technological constraints, and a small team of just 26 members multitasking across production roles.[19][22]Pre-production
Pre-production for RPG Metanoia began in 2007 under Thaumatrope Animation, a subsidiary of Ambient Media, with a small core team of three members focused on initial planning and conceptualization. This phase emphasized creating a detailed blueprint for the film's MMORPG-inspired universe, drawing from the director's vision of a story centered on a shy boy's transformation through online gaming. The process involved iterative script development, where the basic plot was established early, followed by multiple drafts and revisions to refine the narrative while preserving its organic evolution.[23][19] World-building centered on the fictional game "Metanoia," constructing a rich lore that included a backstory for its sequel version, Metanoia 2.0, where the original world had been overrun by mechanical life forms, prompting a server reset. The Philippine server, known as the local hub, was designed with architectural inspirations from Spanish colonial-era structures like Intramuros, augmented with industrial elements such as pipes, metal frames, and oversized statues to evoke a post-apocalyptic familiarity tailored to Filipino viewers. Other realms, like the floating "Islands of Peace" and "Metanoia Mejoria Grande," incorporated side-scrolling video game aesthetics with unique creatures such as the "jigglie," blending global gaming tropes with localized environmental details like hilot signboards to ground the fantasy in everyday Philippine culture. RPG mechanics were adapted to highlight themes of teamwork and heroism, reflecting common MMORPG structures while integrating Filipino traditions, including weapons like arnis sticks and protective amulets (anting-anting), as well as games such as tumbang preso and patintero.[19][11] Research efforts focused on authenticating the film's portrayal of Filipino youth and family dynamics, particularly the impact of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), which informed the single-parent household of protagonist Nico—a statistic noting that 59% of OFWs were in the Middle East as of 2009. Character designs drew from real-life inspirations, with Nico modeled after director Luis Suárez's nephew and female lead May based on his girlfriend, ensuring relatable emotional depth. The team, comprising hardcore gamers, studied MMORPG conventions to infuse realistic gameplay elements, such as diverse international servers (e.g., Korean, Japanese, Scandinavian styles) contrasted with the Philippine one, while incorporating cultural attire like barong tagalog and terno to emphasize national identity in a globalized digital space.[11][19] Storyboarding and concept art underwent extensive iterations, with characters evolving through numerous design variations before finalization, which then guided the overall art direction and animation style. Key sequences, including Nico's real-world interactions and in-game battles, were mapped out to balance emotional realism with fantastical action, producing concept boards that visualized environments and character arcs. A one-minute proof-of-concept video was developed during this stage to demonstrate feasibility and secure stakeholder support.[19][24][25] Team assembly expanded gradually to a core group of 26 at Thaumatrope Animation, including writers, designers, and multi-skilled crew members who handled overlapping roles like modeling and lighting due to resource constraints. This close-knit group, described as working like family, was motivated by the pioneering nature of the project as the Philippines' first full-length 3D animated feature, with pre-production laying the groundwork for the subsequent four-year production timeline.[21][19]Casting
The casting process for RPG Metanoia was shaped by the 2009 partnership between Ambient Media and Star Cinema, which provided access to ABS-CBN's talent pool for voice actors. Most performers underwent auditions to secure their roles, enabling the production to select voices that aligned with the film's blend of youthful energy and familial dynamics.[19][26] The production team's original wish list featured only Eugene Domingo, who was cast as Nico's mother for her versatile comedic timing. Unexpected additions included celebrities like Aga Muhlach as the father and Vhong Navarro as Cel and Sargo, chosen to inject star appeal and humor into the narrative; Navarro's energetic delivery was deemed ideal for the internet cafe owner and mysterious warrior roles. For the protagonist Nico (and his in-game alter ego Zero), child star Zaijan Jaranilla was selected after auditions, as his voice and demeanor closely mirrored director Luis C. Suarez's nephew, the real-life inspiration for the shy, game-obsessed boy.[19] This strategic inclusion of child actors from Star Cinema's roster, alongside established comedians, aimed to ensure authenticity in depicting youth culture and family interactions while broadening the film's commercial draw. The final voice lineup was locked in post-partnership, finalizing a ensemble that balanced emerging talents with proven performers.[19]Animation process
The animation process for RPG Metanoia employed 3D CGI techniques, establishing it as the first full-length 3D animated feature film in Philippine history. Produced over five years by a compact team of 26 at Thaumatrope Animation, the workflow emphasized multitasking across key phases to overcome resource limitations.[19][21] The production pipeline followed standard 3D CGI stages, including modeling to create digital assets, rigging to prepare characters for movement, animation to generate motion sequences, lighting to simulate environmental illumination, and rendering to produce final frames. Autodesk Maya served as the primary software for these tasks, enabling the creation of detailed game-like environments and character interactions. Team members handled multiple roles—such as modeling, texturing, and lighting—due to the small crew size, which fostered an adaptive, on-the-fly approach to pipeline bottlenecks like last-minute revisions.[27][28][19] Significant challenges arose from constrained budgets exceeding P50 million, limited local manpower, and technological hurdles, compelling the team to innovate solutions daily amid a four-to-five-year timeline. To achieve stereoscopic 3D output—the first in Philippine cinema—Autodesk Lustre was used for post-processing, with specialized stereoscope work outsourced to Roadrunner Network, Inc.[29][19] Innovations included integrating Filipino cultural elements into character and environment designs, such as an Intramuros-inspired virtual server, blending local aesthetics with CGI to evoke a distinctly Philippine fantasy world. This approach, combined with custom motion graphics via 2D software for compositing, enhanced the film's immersive, game-inspired visuals while adhering to international standards on a modest scale.[19][29]Music
Composition
The original score for RPG Metanoia was composed by Gerard Salonga and Ria Osorio, who collaborated to blend orchestral arrangements with dynamic elements suited to the film's virtual gaming sequences.[17][30] The Filharmonika Orchestra, under Salonga's direction, performed the score, incorporating sweeping string sections and brass accents to evoke epic scale in the animated fantasy setting.[12] Stylistically, the composition fused fanciful melodies with exciting rhythms to underscore the action-oriented narrative, creating an immersive auditory layer that heightened the film's blend of real-world drama and digital adventure.[9] This approach emphasized orchestral grandeur for key confrontations while integrating percussive and synthetic undertones to mirror the rhythmic pulse of in-game mechanics.[12] Sound design and engineering were handled by Ronald De Asis, Lynell De Mesa, Sandy Aguinaldo, and Connie M. Valdriz, who crafted a dense and intricate effects palette to enhance battles, the propagation of the in-game virus, and seamless transitions between physical and virtual realms.[31] Their work featured layered audio cues, such as metallic clashes for combat sequences and eerie digital distortions for viral spread, contributing to one of the most detailed soundscapes in Philippine cinema.[32] The sound team's efforts earned the Best Sound Engineering award at the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival.[6] Recording sessions for these elements involved meticulous synchronization with the animation, ensuring effects amplified the film's high-energy virtual environments without overpowering the score.[33] Key tracks in the score included original leitmotifs for protagonist Nico's avatar Zero and the Metanoia game world, which recurred to symbolize growth and digital peril, providing thematic cohesion throughout the runtime.[34] These motifs, performed by the orchestra, evolved from playful electronic-infused openings to intense symphonic builds during climactic scenes.[9]Soundtrack album
The official soundtrack album for RPG Metanoia, titled RPG Metanoia The Album, was released in November 2010 by Star Records as a compilation featuring theme songs, original tracks, and excerpts from the film's score.[35] The album was produced separately from the film's audio creation process, with several tracks recorded and mixed at 1032 Studios in Cebu by arranger Jad Bantug.[36] It served as promotional merchandise tied to the film's theatrical release, including performances by Filipino artists connected to the local music scene. The album includes 13 tracks, blending pop, rock, and instrumental pieces performed by various artists such as Jack Rufo and Barbara Ponciano, Tutti Caringal with Kean Cipriano and Ney Dimaculangan, APO Hiking Society, and Julianne Tarroja.[37] Key contributions feature the theme song "Kaya Mo," written by Jonathan Manalo and published by Star Songs, Inc., alongside score elements composed by Ria Osorio.[36] The track listing is as follows:| Track No. | Title | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metanoia | Jack Rufo / Barbara Ponciano |
| 2 | Kaya Mo! | Tutti Caringal, Kean Cipriano & Ney Dimaculangan |
| 3 | Bawat Bata | APO Hiking Society |
| 4 | Frantic Static | Frantic Static |
| 5 | Aminin Mo | Julianne Tarroja |
| 6 | Bahaghari | Rommel Tuico |
| 7 | Game Na | Jeanette Ricasio |
| 8 | A Mental Picture of You | Various |
| 9 | Ako Ang Bayani | Various |
| 10 | The Spaces in Between | Ria Osorio |
| 11 | RPG Metanoia (Score) | Ria Osorio |
| 12 | Kaya Mo (Remix) | Tutti Caringal, Kean Cipriano & Ney Dimaculangan |
| 13 | Metanoia (Remix) | Jack Rufo / Barbara Ponciano |
