Rafabelle Kathryn Bastida

Do You Pledge is a 2D/3D Hybrid Animated film which explores cultural erasure and reconnection to roots through a magical-school narrative. Ānura, a young Visayan-Māori witch, is on her way to take an entrance exam to attend the prestigious Rotwood Magic Academy. However, the academy requires students to sign a magically binding contract, abandoning their current magical practices for a singular, deemed superior practice, permanently. Ānura’s Bakunawa-Taniwha Familiar, Kaalam (Kah-ah-lam) walks with her, guiding her to make the right decision.

I developed this project with Michaela Morton, Breana-Ann Kaponga, Abigail Stone, and Earl Kenneth Maisog. My research question asked, “How can I lead the team as an Animation Director, ensuring thematic consistency in portraying Cultural Erasure and Reclamation, with representation of Visayan and Māori Culture?” To investigate this, I served as the Writer, Director (Team Leader and Overseer of all aspects) and Lead Character Designer for Ānura and Mr Golem, ensuring respectful, meaningful representation of Visayan and Māori culture.