CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Wildcats Animation Studio at Cebu Institute of Technology – University gives Cebuano students a pathway from anime fans to professional creators. Through the Wildcats Animation Studio, students can explore Japanese anime production, develop industry skills, and gain opportunities to work on paid projects.
Launched on October 20, 2026, the studio brings together CIT University’s academic programs and student talent with the Japanese anime expertise of The Cebu Arts and Animation Protocol, Inc. (tCAAP). The university-based training and production hub aims to prepare aspiring animators for professional work while giving Cebu’s creative talent opportunities closer to home.
For students in the University’s Bachelor of Multimedia Arts (BMMA) program, the experience goes beyond classroom exercises. Through tCAAP, students can participate in paid projects for Japanese anime clients contracted by the industry partner.
This partnership connects creative education with earning opportunities. Students can develop professional skills, build portfolios, and gain production experience as they prepare for careers in animation and other creative fields.
Japanese Anime Experts Lead Training and Mentorship
The Wildcats Animation Studio draws on tCAAP’s expertise in Japanese anime production. Industry practitioners bring their knowledge of animation techniques, production workflows, and client expectations into the learning environment.
With professionals serving as teachers and mentors, students can develop their abilities while learning what actual anime productions require. The initiative aims to prepare skilled animators for industry demands and open opportunities for Cebuano artists to contribute to projects for international audiences.
During the launch, tCAAP Chief Operating Officer and Core Works Force Chief Executive Officer Mr. Jaime Busa conducted a system walkthrough. He demonstrated the production workflow, from traditional drawing to animation.
The presentation connected foundational drawing skills with professional production stages. It also showed how students could progress from learning the craft to applying their skills in actual projects.
Representatives from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Central Visayas also saw the program’s potential for government-supported training and sponsorships. With Japanese anime experts already involved, the initiative offers a foundation for exploring partnerships that could make specialized training more accessible.
Wildcats Animation Studio Connects Industry Needs With Cebuano Talent
The collaboration began during the “Problem Day” forum hosted at CIT University. The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), through its Academe-Industry Alliance, organized the forum to connect industry representatives with the academe and discuss shared challenges.
CIT University President Engr. Bernard Nicolas E. Villamor, who also serves as Steering Committee Chairman, recalled meeting tCAAP President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. David Anthony Chan. They recognized a shared opportunity: the animation industry needed skilled artists, while the University had creative talent and academic programs to help develop them.
The Wildcats Animation Studio turned that conversation into a space for training, collaboration, and career preparation.
“Our students will train on real industry standards, under real industry expectations, so that when they step into the workplace, they do not walk in hoping to be ready. They walk in prepared,” Engr. Villamor said.
The studio also brings together disciplines that support animation, including visual art, storytelling, design, computing, and technology. Through this approach, students with different strengths can work together on shared productions.
Animation Workshops Inspire Younger Artists
The launch also welcomed students from CIT University’s Basic Education Department to workshops that introduced them to Japanese anime animation.
The activities gave younger learners a glimpse of the creative work behind the characters and stories they enjoy. They also encouraged students to explore how an interest in drawing could grow into a skill and, eventually, a profession.
By engaging learners early, the University hopes to nurture future artists who may pursue further training through the BMMA program. These workshops form part of a longer-term effort to sustain interest in animation and strengthen Cebu’s creative workforce.
The launch opened with a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Activities included a studio overview, system walkthrough, mural walk, animation workshops, project showcase, networking, and refreshments.
Through the Wildcats Animation Studio, CIT University aims to help Cebuano creatives build their skills, gain industry experience, and pursue opportunities in Japanese anime production.